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Does the Color of a Light Matter to a Bug?
Does the Color of a Light Matter to a Bug?. Certain colors of lights attract bugs and other insects. This is particularly annoying when someone knocks on your door during a late summer evening. Opening the door to your guest allows dozens of bugs to enter your home because the pests are swarming around your porch light. The bugs are in search of...
Certain colors of lights attract bugs and other insects. This is particularly annoying when someone knocks on your door during a late summer evening. Opening the door to your guest allows dozens of bugs to enter your home because the pests are swarming around your porch light. The bugs are in search of food and the porch light attracts them to the area. You can prevent this swarm of insects by choosing the correct lightbulbs.
Yellow or Amber Lightbulbs
Many bugs cannot see certain colors such as the yellow light in bug lights, reports the website Pest Cemetery. If they cannot see the light, they are not attracted to the area to forage for food. Purchase bug lights at discount, hardware or home supply stores. Using these lights near your home helps maintain the safety of your residence yet does not attract unwanted insects to your door and window areas. Yellow lights are available in energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs. Amber LED bulbs also do not attract insects, according to the Earth Easy website.
Avoiding Insects
Entertaining guests outdoors during the evening hours may be a problem if you do not have amber or yellow lightbulbs. Try placing your light source away from your home. For instance, if you are hosting a pool party, place lights in the trees and perimeters of your yard to attract bugs to those areas. Another idea is to use a light that shines downward onto the porch or patio rather than a direct beam pointing into the yard area, which is an open invitation to insects.
Lights That Attract
Lights that radiate ultraviolet and blue light attract more insects than other types of lights. Examples of these types of lights include black lights, metal halide and fluorescent. Avoid using these near your front porch, patio and deck areas, if you have a problem with insects.
Less Attractive to Bugs
Yellow incandescent, high-pressure sodium and regular incandescent light radiate less blue and ultraviolet light, thus reducing the attraction of insects to the area. Remember, even if you do not use a porch light during the evening and nighttime hours, insects can still be attracted to the lighting inside your home. They may find their way in through holes or cracks in your windows and door screens.
