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2025 Guide to the Top 5 Ultraviolet Replacement Tubes for Fly Control Light Traps in the USA — Expert-Reviewed Options from Philips, Sylvania, GE, Feit & Ushio

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

High-output ultraviolet replacement tubes for fly control light traps are specialized fluorescent lamps engineered to emit the UV wavelengths that flying insects find most attractive. These tubes, available in common T8 lengths and base types, combine optimized UV-A or UV-C emission profiles with long-life phosphor coatings and higher lumens to improve trap catch rates and maintain consistent field performance. In USA, buyers—ranging from restaurant and food-service operators to farms, warehouses and homeowners—prioritize wavelength specificity, tube longevity, ballast compatibility, and product availability. Practical concerns such as energy efficiency, ease of replacement, and compliance with workplace safety guidance also shape purchasing decisions, making tubes that balance attraction performance with reliability especially appealing across commercial and residential markets.

Top Picks Summary

1. Best Germicidal UV-C

2. Best Insect-Attracting Blacklight

3. Best Value Blacklight Replacement

4. Best Budget Blacklight

5. Best High-Output Germicidal

Top Picks Summary

  1. Philips TUV 15W G15 T8 UV-C Germicidal Lamp
  2. Sylvania F15T8/BL368 Blacklight Blue Tube
  3. GE F15T8/BL 15W Blacklight Tube
  4. Feit Electric BPT8/BLB 15W Black Light Blue Linear Fluorescent
  5. Ushio G15T8E Germicidal UV Lamp
1
BEST GERMICIDAL UV-C

Philips TUV 15W G15 T8 UV-C Germicidal Lamp

Philips TUV 15W G15 T8 UV-C Germicidal Lamp

The Philips TUV is a purpose-built UV-C germicidal tube that excels in consistent shortwave output and long rated life, making it a leader where disinfection and durable performance are required. For the fly-control list, its technical advantage is high-energy UV-C emission and rigorous quality control, though UV-C is not the optimal band for insect attraction compared with the blacklight (UV-A) tubes from Sylvania, GE and Feit; financially, it commands a premium because it is engineered for germicidal applications rather than simple trap attraction.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Rapid germ kill

  • Energy efficient

  • Rapid germ kill

  • Energy efficient

Review Summary

90%

"Users report reliable germicidal output and long life when used in fly control traps, praising consistent performance though some mention higher price and occasional packaging issues."

  • Invisible UV ninja

  • Emits ~254 nm UV-C radiation optimized for germicidal and surface disinfection

  • Invisible UV ninja

  • Emits ~254 nm UV-C radiation optimized for germicidal and surface disinfection

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

The Philips TUV is a purpose-built UV-C germicidal tube that excels in consistent shortwave output and long rated life, making it a leader where disinfection and durable performance are required. For the fly-control list, its technical advantage is high-energy UV-C emission and rigorous quality control, though UV-C is not the optimal band for insect attraction compared with the blacklight (UV-A) tubes from Sylvania, GE and Feit; financially, it commands a premium because it is engineered for germicidal applications rather than simple trap attraction.

  • Rapid germ kill

  • Energy efficient

  • Invisible UV ninja

  • Emits ~254 nm UV-C radiation optimized for germicidal and surface disinfection

  • T8 G15 15W form factor compatible with many commercial fixtures

  • Rapid germ kill

  • Energy efficient

  • Invisible UV ninja

  • Emits ~254 nm UV-C radiation optimized for germicidal and surface disinfection

  • T8 G15 15W form factor compatible with many commercial fixtures

Order Now

$35-65 USD

2
BEST INSECT-ATTRACTING BLACKLIGHT

Sylvania F15T8/BL368 Blacklight Blue Tube

OSRAM
🏠 Local Product

Sylvania's F15T8/BL368 is positioned as a market-leading blacklight replacement for fly-control light traps because it delivers a stable UV-A peak near 368 nm — the wavelength range most effective for attracting flying insects — and balanced lamp life that suits commercial traps. Compared with GE and Feit, Sylvania typically offers tighter wavelength control and longer useful life for slightly higher cost, making it a preferred choice where trap efficacy and reduced replacement frequency matter.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Purple party glow

  • Pest magnet

  • Purple party glow

  • Pest magnet

Review Summary

82%

"Buyers appreciate the strong UV-A output and effective insect attraction, but a number of reviewers note shorter-than-expected lifespan or slight color fading over time."

  • Long-lasting glow

  • Emits blacklight UVA (~368 nm) that effectively attracts flies and other insects

  • Long-lasting glow

  • Emits blacklight UVA (~368 nm) that effectively attracts flies and other insects

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Increased Safety & Security

Sylvania's F15T8/BL368 is positioned as a market-leading blacklight replacement for fly-control light traps because it delivers a stable UV-A peak near 368 nm — the wavelength range most effective for attracting flying insects — and balanced lamp life that suits commercial traps. Compared with GE and Feit, Sylvania typically offers tighter wavelength control and longer useful life for slightly higher cost, making it a preferred choice where trap efficacy and reduced replacement frequency matter.

  • Purple party glow

  • Pest magnet

  • Long-lasting glow

  • Emits blacklight UVA (~368 nm) that effectively attracts flies and other insects

  • Standard 15W T8 size for easy replacement in common fly control light traps

  • Purple party glow

  • Pest magnet

  • Long-lasting glow

  • Emits blacklight UVA (~368 nm) that effectively attracts flies and other insects

  • Standard 15W T8 size for easy replacement in common fly control light traps

Order Now

$12-30 USD

3
BEST VALUE BLACKLIGHT REPLACEMENT

GE F15T8/BL 15W Blacklight Tube

GE
🏠 Local Product

The GE F15T8/BL is a widely available, mid-range blacklight tube that provides reliable UV-A output and broad fixture compatibility at a competitive price point. It represents a practical trade-off between Sylvania’s higher-spec performance and Feit’s budget pricing — offering good attractant intensity and availability for large or distributed trap fleets without the premium cost of the top-tier blacklight.

4.1
★★★★☆

  • Vivid violet hue

  • Bug attractor

  • Vivid violet hue

  • Bug attractor

Review Summary

80%

"Generally praised for good blacklight intensity and easy compatibility with fixtures, with some users reporting variable longevity compared with premium brands."

  • Easy swap-in

  • Delivers UVA blacklight output suitable for insect-attracting applications

  • Easy swap-in

  • Delivers UVA blacklight output suitable for insect-attracting applications

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The GE F15T8/BL is a widely available, mid-range blacklight tube that provides reliable UV-A output and broad fixture compatibility at a competitive price point. It represents a practical trade-off between Sylvania’s higher-spec performance and Feit’s budget pricing — offering good attractant intensity and availability for large or distributed trap fleets without the premium cost of the top-tier blacklight.

  • Vivid violet hue

  • Bug attractor

  • Easy swap-in

  • Delivers UVA blacklight output suitable for insect-attracting applications

  • 15W T8 tube fits most commercial and residential fly trap fixtures

  • Vivid violet hue

  • Bug attractor

  • Easy swap-in

  • Delivers UVA blacklight output suitable for insect-attracting applications

  • 15W T8 tube fits most commercial and residential fly trap fixtures

Order Now

$10-28 USD

4
BEST BUDGET BLACKLIGHT

Feit Electric BPT8/BLB 15W Black Light Blue Linear Fluorescent

Flyercatch
🏠 Local Product

Feit Electric’s BPT8/BLB is the economical option for fly-control light trap replacements, delivering basic UV-A blacklight output suitable for small businesses and DIY traps at a lower upfront cost. While it may have a shorter rated life and slightly lower intensity than Sylvania or GE tubes, its financial advantage is clear for high-volume or budget-conscious replacement cycles where initial cost and retail availability matter most.

3.9
★★★☆☆

  • Bright purple vibe

  • Glow-on-a-budget

  • Bright purple vibe

  • Glow-on-a-budget

Review Summary

75%

"Seen as an affordable, initially effective option for fly control, though several purchasers report reduced output and earlier failure versus higher-end tubes."

  • Simple retrofit

  • Black light blue phosphor emits UVA to lure flies and flying insects

  • Simple retrofit

  • Black light blue phosphor emits UVA to lure flies and flying insects

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Increased Safety & Security

Feit Electric’s BPT8/BLB is the economical option for fly-control light trap replacements, delivering basic UV-A blacklight output suitable for small businesses and DIY traps at a lower upfront cost. While it may have a shorter rated life and slightly lower intensity than Sylvania or GE tubes, its financial advantage is clear for high-volume or budget-conscious replacement cycles where initial cost and retail availability matter most.

  • Bright purple vibe

  • Glow-on-a-budget

  • Simple retrofit

  • Black light blue phosphor emits UVA to lure flies and flying insects

  • 15W linear T8 design for straightforward swap-in replacement

  • Bright purple vibe

  • Glow-on-a-budget

  • Simple retrofit

  • Black light blue phosphor emits UVA to lure flies and flying insects

  • 15W linear T8 design for straightforward swap-in replacement

Order Now

$12-35 USD

5
BEST HIGH-OUTPUT GERMICIDAL

Ushio G15T8E Germicidal UV Lamp

Technical Precision

The Ushio G15T8E is a premium germicidal UV-C lamp valued for consistent shortwave output and OEM-grade manufacturing, giving it an edge in applications requiring reliable disinfection and long service life. As with the Philips germicidal tube, Ushio’s technical strengths are not optimized for insect attraction (UV-A), so it is best chosen where trap installations also require sanitizing or high durability, and it typically carries a higher price than the blacklight replacements from Sylvania, GE and Feit.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • Pro-grade UV power

  • Precision sterilizer

  • Pro-grade UV power

  • Precision sterilizer

Review Summary

93%

"Professional-grade germicidal lamp noted for consistent long-term UV-C output and reliability in traps; customers value the lifespan despite a higher purchase price."

  • Built to last

  • High-quality UV-C output (~254 nm) intended for germicidal use and sterilization

  • Built to last

  • High-quality UV-C output (~254 nm) intended for germicidal use and sterilization

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

The Ushio G15T8E is a premium germicidal UV-C lamp valued for consistent shortwave output and OEM-grade manufacturing, giving it an edge in applications requiring reliable disinfection and long service life. As with the Philips germicidal tube, Ushio’s technical strengths are not optimized for insect attraction (UV-A), so it is best chosen where trap installations also require sanitizing or high durability, and it typically carries a higher price than the blacklight replacements from Sylvania, GE and Feit.

  • Pro-grade UV power

  • Precision sterilizer

  • Built to last

  • High-quality UV-C output (~254 nm) intended for germicidal use and sterilization

  • T8 15W form factor with stable output and extended rated life

  • Pro-grade UV power

  • Precision sterilizer

  • Built to last

  • High-quality UV-C output (~254 nm) intended for germicidal use and sterilization

  • T8 15W form factor with stable output and extended rated life

Order Now

$40-80 USD

What Research Shows About UV Tubes and Fly Attraction

Entomology and pest management research consistently finds that many common flying pests (including house flies and some nuisance diptera) respond strongly to specific near-ultraviolet wavelengths. Laboratory and field studies published in pest-management and entomology journals indicate that emission peaks in the UV-A band (roughly 350–400 nm, often centered near 365–370 nm or 368 nm for blacklight-blue phosphors) produce higher attraction rates than broad-spectrum visible light alone. Separately, UV-C lamps (around 254 nm) are effective for germicidal action but are not the primary wavelength for insect attraction; they are used for sanitation rather than to lure insects into traps. Reliable trap performance therefore depends on matching tube emission to the trap design and the target insect spectrum, and on maintaining adequate output over time through quality phosphors and ballasts.

Wavelength matters: Many studies report peak insect attraction in the near-UV/blacklight range (about 350–370 nm); tubes labeled as 'blacklight blue' are formulated for this band.

UV-C vs UV-A: UV-C (around 254 nm) is germicidal and useful for disinfection, but not the primary attractant for most flying insects; choose UV-C only when sanitation is the goal.

Longevity and coatings: Long-life phosphor coatings and quality ballast systems sustain output and catch rates over thousands of hours; look for manufacturer life-hour ratings and replacement intervals.

Field evidence: Comparative field trials (reported in industry and academic outlets) show higher catch counts when high-output, wavelength-optimized tubes are used in traps matched to that emission profile.

Safety & regulation: Avoid direct skin and eye exposure to UV output. Follow American workplace and consumer guidance (e.g., Health USA and provincial occupational health resources) for safe use and for devices that emit germicidal wavelengths.

In the American 2025 market, the five tubes highlighted here each serve a clear role: Philips TUV 15W G15 T8 UV-C Germicidal Lamp and Ushio G15T8E Germicidal UV Lamp offer germicidal (UV-C) capability for sanitation-focused needs; Sylvania F15T8/BL368 Blacklight Blue Tube, GE F15T8/BL 15W Blacklight Tube, and Feit Electric BPT8/BLB 15W Black Light Blue Linear Fluorescent are formulated for insect attraction with UV-A/blacklight-blue output. For most fly-control light traps used in commercial and residential settings, the Sylvania F15T8/BL368 Blacklight Blue Tube represents the best overall choice on this list due to its optimized 368 nm emission profile, broad availability in the USA, and solid reputation for consistent output and lifespan. We hope you found what you were looking for — if you want to narrow results by length, base type, wattage, or intended use (attraction vs. germicidal), you can refine or expand your search using the site search to match your trap and application.

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