Do LED Lights Attract Bugs?

Have you ever noticed that bugs, particularly flying bugs, gravitate toward sources of light? If you ever leave your front porch light on at night, you will likely notice dozens of bugs swarming around the warmth and light that the bulb produces. However, not all lights have the same effects on bugs. Moreover, not all bugs react to the light the same. So, do LED lights attract bugs?

As you will discover in today’s article, this question cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” The reality is that there are various factors at play when it comes to the relationship between light sources and insects. Some insects, like moths, are drawn to light sources of virtually all kinds, while other insects, like roaches, scurry away from light. Additionally, both the type and color of the bulb you use can affect how bugs react to your light source. So, let’s take a closer look at the relationship between bugs and LED lights!

Are Bugs Attracted To LED Lights?

Generally, the element that attracts bugs to light is the emission of UV rays. However, when compared to fluorescent and other light sources, LED lights produce very little UV light. This means that LED light attracting insects is not impossible, but it is far less common. This is why older methods of light, including fluorescent bulbs and even candles, have always attracted more bugs than modern LED light bulbs.

That said, there are certain types of insects that may be more prone to come near LED lights. For example, some bugs are more capable of detecting different wavelengths of light than others. This could make them more prone to see and go toward LED lights (depending on a variety of factors concerning the light source itself). However, since UV light produces less heat, there is also a less instinctual attraction for bugs to approach. Thus, if you want to keep the lights on but avoid bringing in huge swarms of bugs, LED lights are one of your best options.

It’s also important to discuss the types of bugs that are attracted to light in general and the types of bugs that most people want to avoid. As previously discussed, flying bugs are frequently drawn to light sources. This means that moths, flies, and mosquitos will gravitate toward any kind of light source, but they are especially fond of fluorescent light due to their heat and enhanced visibility (for bugs at least).

In addition to common flying bugs and pests, you may be worried about unsightly ground-based bugs like centipedes and roaches. Centipedes feed on other insects, so light sources can offer a promising area to find their next meal. Thankfully, LED lights do not attract as many bugs, making them less likely to attract centipedes as well. Alternatively, cockroaches generally hate light of any kind, which means that you don’t have to worry about attracting them with your LED bulbs.

Do LED Strips Attract Spiders?

Unfortunately, there is an indirect link between LED strips and spiders. So, are spiders attracted to LED lights? Yes and no. Many types of bugs like well-lit areas because they offer greater chances of providing food sources. Since spiders feed on bugs, they will set up their webs in areas where bugs tend to congregate. LED light strips attract some other types of bugs in search of food, thereby attracting spiders in search of those bugs.

However, the answer to this question is far more than complex. Spiders naturally prefer dark, cool places for themselves to dwell and rest between feeding periods. This means that they are inclined to stay away from light sources most of the time, LED or otherwise. That said, spiders have to eat like everybody else, so they are drawn to light sources that attract bugs, particularly flying bugs that can easily get caught in their webs. So, while LED strips draw fewer bugs than fluorescent lights, they still draw enough bugs to make them a good feeding ground for spiders.

LED Light Colors Which Do Attract Bugs

Ultimately, the biggest factor to consider when choosing lights to attract or deter bugs is the wavelength the bulb emits. Generally speaking, LED lights produce short wavelengths, making them invisible to many bugs. This is one of the main reasons that fewer bugs are attracted to LED lights in the first place. However, LED light bulbs can have varied wavelengths based on their design.

A key element that is intrinsically linked to wavelength and light attracting insects is color. Certain colors are associated with different wavelengths. For example, blue and green lights generally have shorter wavelengths, while colors like red, orange, and yellow create longer wavelengths. For the vast majority of bugs, longer wavelengths are more visible and therefore more attractive. Thus, bugs attracted to LED lights will often be attracted based on the color and the wavelength.

So, if you are looking to understand which lights in your home or business could be attracting bugs, look at both the type and color of lights. LED lights are less likely to attract insects. However, if you use any kind of orange lights, yellow lights, or red LED lights, you increase the chances of making them visible to many different types of bugs. Yellow lights are especially common because they are known to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Unfortunately, this ambiance comes at a price — especially if you don’t like insects.

LED Light Colors Which Do Not Attract Bugs

Now that you know which light colors attract bugs, this begs an important question: what color light does NOT attract bugs? While many species of insects are attracted to light in general, using LED with short wavelengths is a good way to reduce the number of bugs attracted to your bulbs. This means blue, green, and purple are some of the best colors to use. In fact, choosing LED products like blue lights, green lights, or purple lights, your bulbs will attract few, if any bugs.

Whether you are shopping for bulbs to use indoors or outdoors, blue LED bulbs are some of the most popular choices to keep away bulbs and keep the area well-lit. Blue light deters bugs by being less visible and less beneficial to their needs. So, if you want to keep bugs away, always remember to use LED bulbs with short-wavelength colors like blue, green, or purple.

It’s also important to remember that even blue lights are not at the very bottom of the wavelength spectrum. Blue just happens to be a very popular color that also has relatively low wavelengths! However, if you really want to use lights to repel bugs, purple or violet LED lights are your best choice. Violet has the lowest range of wavelengths on the color spectrum, making it virtually invisible to the vast majority of bugs. In short, if you use a purple LED bulb, you can count on attracting very few bugs!

Are you interested in learning more about a light bulb to repel bugs? Are you ready to purchase high-quality LED bulbs at affordable prices? If so, be sure to check out the LED bulbs and products available at Bulb Center today!