Patio Lights That DON’T Attract Bugs
We all want to be outside, but there are bugs everywhere. But they’re always in the way when you’re sitting on your porch.
However, you can enjoy your time outside without being eaten alive? If you think that the only way to avoid bugs is by insect repellent, wait until you hear about these patio lights that don’t attract bugs. You’ll never have to worry about bugs and mosquitoes again!
All light attracts bugs to some extent because of the positive phototaxis phenomenon. Modern light-emitting diode (LED) produces low heat and emits a warm hue which attracts fewer insects than compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and incandescent bulbs.
Bugs are attracted to the light’s wavelength color, its heat output, and its brightness. They can see cool, short-wavelength colors like blue, green, and violet and are most attracted by UV light.
Get patio lights that are the opposite of these and you have on your hand patio lights that don’t attract bugs.
Bugs can be a nuisance if you’re trying to spend time outdoors. But they also pose an even bigger problem for people who suffer from allergies.
These bug-repelling outdoor lighting fixtures will help keep them away and make it easier for everyone else to enjoy their time outdoors.
Why are flying pests attracted to lights?
Phototaxis is the phenomenon in which light influences insect behavior. Positive phototaxis is a trait that draws certain insects like moths to the light.
Other insects with negative phototaxis include earthworms and cockroaches are repelled by light.
Although phototaxis appears to be a difficult concept, it is not. If you simply reduce the phototaxis in the bulb it will reduce the attractiveness of the light to the bugs.
The bugs like three things; the light’s wavelength (or color), heat output, and brightness. These are three factors that influence light’s attractiveness to flying insects.
If we understand why certain bulbs attract specific insects then we will have the knowledge to choose better patio lights for our porch.
Types of bulbs: effect on bugs
You want to create a beautiful, warm atmosphere outside your home without attracting the wrong kind of bugs. For this, you should invest in patio lights that do not attract insects! Here are some types of bulbs:
Incandescent – The most common type of indoor/outdoor lamp used today. It produces a lot of heat and has an intense glow.
The incandescent light bulb makes them ideal for reading or relaxing outdoors. However, the heat and light emitted by these bulbs are on the infrared spectrum meaning this type of bulb attracts the most amount of bugs.
Most countries also ban them because they are so inefficient. They also have a short lifespan, so it is essential to replace these lamps regularly.
Entomologists use these lights to attract bugs in electric fly or moth traps.
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFLs)- These fluorescent tubes use less energy than incandescents while producing more light. You will need to change your bulb every two years, and there’s no guarantee how long its life span will last.
CFLs bulbs use mercury to produce UV light in the visual spectrum when intersection with the fluorescent phosphor coat inside of the bulb. Mercury is a poison and therefore is not suitable for the environment.
These products are considered hazardous waste at the end of life. They still produce some heat that attracts moths, flies, and mosquitoes.
If you buy CFL bulbs, use the yellow ones that are considered the best in repelling flying bugs.
Light-emitting Diode Lamp (LED Light) Bulbs – These lights are becoming increasingly popular as the technology improves. They offer better performance in terms of brightness and longevity compared with other lighting options. The bulbs themselves don’t generate much heat, but you should keep them away from children or pets.
These bulbs emit light mainly on the invisible spectrum for bugs. However, LEDs can be both an attraction and a repellant to Insects. It all depends on the bandwidth of the bulb created.
Which patio lights don’t attract bugs
Consider these three things when choosing the perfect patio light; the light’s wavelength (or color), heat output, and brightness.
Light wavelength
Insects love short wave light. They can see UV light and it is their favorite. If the bulb produces infrared the insect will feel the heat and if it emits UV, then the bugs will see the light.
Bugs love light in the range of 400 to 600 nm, especially host-seeking mosquitoes. Avoid light in this color range if you want to relax outdoors. Just get led specifically designed for the outdoors.
Colors in the yellow and orange range are less visible to insects with red light being invisible. If you need light while camping use red lights, you will be able to see but the bugs can’t see the light.
Heat output
Insects love warmth. It is for this reason we see insects flying around light even if they are not attracted to the color.
Light bulbs emit heat as a byproduct of producing light and therefore attract insects like magnets attracting iron.
Incandescent and halogen bulbs are the worst because they emit so much heat. The filament inside the bulb is the culprit, the hight the wattage the hotter the bulb becomes.
LED uses flowing gas instead of a filament to operate and therefore emits less heat. Replacing your current patio bulbs with LED is a good solution if you want to reduce the number of pesky bugs flying around.
Brightness
Insects can be drawn from a distance by the brightness of a light. The bright light acts like a beacon calling all bugs.
You should therefore use light that is bright enough to see but not so bright as to attract bugs in the distance.
The less instance the light the better. It is for this reasoning you see rope light being of a cool hue.
Remember that different light colors will attract different insects therefore you will not find a bulb that does not attract bugs but you will definitely find some that will attract less.
The light that bugs cannot see light with a strong yellow tint because it operates in the long-wavelength but people find it unappealing.
A LED light with a gentle golden hue is a good medium. Bugs will still be flying around because the bulb emits UV light which attracts insects.
If you do not mind yellow light, you can get this LED bug light on Amazon.
Choice of lights?
Many types of patio lights exist, fairy string lights, rope lights, etc., choose the one that you fancy that fits in with your decor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, patio lights are a great way to illuminate your outdoor living spaces. If you are experiencing problems with bugs near your patio lights, remember some quick tips to keep these pesky creatures away. Thanks for vising DIY Home Guru
