Blacklight UV-A T8 G13 15W – insect lamp, 437 mm, 350–368 nm

UV-A 365 nm — the standard for insect traps

Insects can see ultraviolet radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. The UV-A 365 nm wavelength is particularly effective at attracting flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects towards a trap. Most professional insect traps (restaurants, bakeries, food processing, household models) use exactly these kinds of 15W or 20W T8 blacklight fluorescent tubes.

Requires a ballast or electronic control gear

This is a traditional fluorescent tube, not an LED. It requires either a traditional ballast + starter or an electronic control gear to operate. Most insect traps have a built-in ballast assembly, so the lamp is connected directly to the holders.

Other uses

Although insect traps are the most common application, this UV-A blacklight lamp is also used for:

• Curing gel nail polish — household use and beauty salons
• Photopolymerization — curing UV-curable materials
• Diazo printers — older printing technologies
• Mineral identification — geological samples and collectors' tools
• Disco lighting and themed parties — making fluorescent colors and clothes glow
• Forensics — detecting certain biological markers

UV-A vs UV-C — an important distinction

UV radiation is divided into three wavelength categories with very different uses:

• UV-A (320–400 nm) — "blacklight": insect traps, disco lighting, photopolymerization. This lamp belongs to this category.
• UV-B (280–320 nm): radiation that causes sunburn, terrarium use
• UV-C (200–280 nm) — "germicidal": air and water disinfection, killing viruses and bacteria

Do not use this UV-A lamp for disinfection purposes — for that, you need lamps specifically marked UV-C, which are available as a separate product.

Safety — UV radiation exposure

While UV-A is significantly less dangerous than UV-C, prolonged and repeated exposure can be harmful:

• Do not look directly at the lamp for extended periods
• Always use the lamp in a luminaire or trap — not directly in your hands
• In professional use, follow occupational safety instructions and use safety glasses if necessary

Lifespan and replacement cycle in an insect trap

The lifespan of UV fluorescent tubes is shorter than that of regular fluorescent tubes — UV radiation consumes the lamp's phosphorescent coating. The typical lifespan is about 8,000–10,000 hours, but for the effectiveness of the insect trap, the lamp should be replaced annually, even if it is still lit. An old lamp will still glow, but its UV efficiency may be halved, meaning it no longer attracts insects as effectively.

Installation checklist

1. Check that the trap has a T8 G13 base (not T5 G5)
2. Check that the lamp's length of 437 mm fits the trap
3. Check that the trap's ballast or control gear is compatible with 15W power
4. Turn off the power before changing — do not touch the lamp glass with your fingers (grease can shorten its lifespan)
5. Install the lamp by twisting it into place in the base and turn on the power