There have been numerous occasions when I've seen bugs fly around my lights, but this is the first time I've noticed them around my led light strips. You may have never pondered why bugs are drawn to bright lights. It is a fact that you may not be able to see these insects buzzing around your light strips. There is some logic to this, including the fact that they are LEDs and have a color temperature and wavelength.
The good news is that LED lights don't attract as many bugs as traditional lights. You may not see any bugs at all if these strips are in your home. This is because these strips kill bugs. In one study, it all comes down to UV lights. LEDs don't make UV lights. They convert their electricity into electromagnetic (EM) radiation and don't waste it on UV and infrared. In the end, bugs don't like LED, which means your light strips won't be as bright.
Bugs And Color Temperature
Smart LED strips allow you to have complete control over the brightness of the strips. As a result, if you notice that a particular color temperature attracts bugs, it is best to avoid that color temperature. When light is measured in Kelvin, the temperature of the light is called the correlated color temperature (CCT). When it comes to color temperatures, there are three types to consider: "cool white" (4,000-5,000 K), "neutral white" (4,000-5,000 K), and "warm white" (6,000-8,000 K) (2,700-3,000 K). According to a recent 2015 study, all-white colors are equally attractive to bugs regardless of their hue.
But what about RBG, which is responsible for the consistent formation of the strip lights we are familiar with? Fortunately for us, the Punjab Agriculture Research Station in Pakistan conducted a study in which they investigated how insects respond to different wavelengths of light. Colors such as blue, green, yellow, red, black, and white are examples of primary colors. At the end of the experiment, they discovered that most insects were attracted to the black lights, with the red light being the least effective. According to the study's findings, insects are more attracted to "lights with short wavelengths and high frequencies" than other types of light.
Have you ever noticed that the color of LED bug lights is yellow? If so, you're not alone. This is because this color emits light with a long wavelength, between 550 and 600 nanometers. If you live in an area where there are a lot of bugs, you should set your strip light to emit a yellow color to attract their attention.
Led bug lights and warm color lights
A LED bug light is simply a light bulb that has been coated with a yellow coating to lower the color temperature of the light emitted. Bulb wavelengths will peak around 550-600 nanometers due to the coating on the surface of the light bulb. Nonetheless, yellow-coated bulbs aren't the only lights that can help to reduce the presence of bugs in space. If you want to create a less likely space to be infested by bugs, warm-colored LED lights such as yellow strip lights, yellow malibu light bulbs for landscape applications, or gold-tint filament bulbs are excellent choices.
To illustrate, from top left to bottom right: an A19 LED bug light bulb; yellow LED strip lights; a yellow LED malibu light bulb mounted in a landscape fixture, and gold-tint LED filament bulbs.
Why are bugs drawn to the led strip lights?
When you have LED lights outside, have you seen bugs flying around them? There is no one right answer. Then, there are a few theories about why these bugs are drawn to your lights. One thing has to do with the moon and how it connects to the bugs. It's called "positive phototactic" if an insect is drawn to lights. Many bugs are nocturnal, and some are migratory, so some people think they use them to find their way at night, too. As a way to stay on track during their journey, these insects look up at the moon.
Many bugs like to fly around in circles around our lights, which could be why. Why does it happen that when they reach the object, they think is the moon, their angle to the light source changes dramatically as soon as they get there? In addition, this explains why they might fly right into an insect killer or fire. They don't think the light source will be that close.
Or are they drawn to the warmth from the lights? But LEDs are very energy-efficient, so they don't make as much heat. It's also important to keep in mind that a lot of insects are good at spotting UV light. This is a trait that many flowers take advantage of by reflecting UV light to get birds' attention. They might be attracted to your light strips or bulbs because they think it is something they want, like a food source, and that's why they're interested.
What kinds of bugs attract towards the led strip lights?
Bugs and insects are drawn to LED strip lights in large numbers, which can be extremely bothersome. In this section of the article, I'll show you some of the bugs or insects that led strip lights may attract, as well as some tips on how to get rid of them if they do.
Spiders:
Spiders like led strip lights because it is a good place to find food at night, so they like them. When led strip lights are turned on, spiders go after other bugs and insects that are attracted to them.
So, if there are other bugs around your led strip lights, you should know that these bugs could be food for spiders, and they'll be sure to join in the fun.
Wasps and Hornets:
The presence of led strip lights attracts wasps and hornets as well because they provide them with a plentiful source of food. Bees and wasps have the unique ability to capture other bugs and insects, particularly those that are attracted to LED strip lights, and carry them away.
So, if you notice wasps or hornets hanging around near your led strip lights, you should be aware that they may be catching other bugs and insects. Wasps and hornets prey on other insects that are attracted to led strip lights in the same way that spiders do.
It shouldn't come as a surprise if you have other bugs hanging out around your led strip lights that wasps and hornets will be nesting in and around the lights.
Bees:
Even though it is rare for bees to be attracted to LED strip lights, it is possible because the lights may occasionally cause a positive phototactic response in the bees.
People talk about how bees tend to move in the direction of light sources as a "phototactic response."
As a result, if you notice bees congregating around your LED strip lights, it is possible to be due to the light.
Flies:
The use of led strip lights can also attract flies and other insects, such as moths. This is because these bugs are attracted to bright lights. When they get close to led strip lights, their navigation systems also become confused.
The reason for this is that they mistook the lights for sunlight and began flying upwards in the direction of the lights. In other words, they will eventually become visible in the spotlight.
Centipedes
Several other bugs could be present if you see centipedes around your led strip lights, so they may be there to protect them. Led lights attract centipedes and spiders alike because they provide them with a convenient food source.
Centipedes will be on the lookout for other bugs that are attracted to the led light in this situation. Because they consume a large number of insects and other bugs, this is the case.
Conclusion
We have concluded that because different types of bugs perceive different wavelengths, it is impossible to predict whether an LED light will attract them or avoid attracting them. On the other hand, most bugs are attracted to short wavelengths of light, and they are particularly attracted to ultraviolet light, which they can see better and which some of them use for navigation. More bugs will attract to the bulbs that emit more short wavelengths of light (cool white/bluish color). It is less visible to see lights that emit a majority of longer wavelengths (yellow, orange, and red colors). Heat can also attract bugs to a particular area. LED lights to emit little to no ultraviolet light and only a trace amount of heat, making them less attractive to insects—as long as they emit longer wavelengths of light, they are therefore more energy efficient.
References
5 bugs LED strip lights attract plus how to deal with them. (2022, January 24). ledlightplanet. https://ledlightplanet.com/what-kind-of-bugs-do-led-strip-lights-attract/
Anais. (2021, July 9). Do led strip lights attract bugs?Anais and Reese World. https://anaisandreeseworld.com/do-led-strip-lights-attract-bugs/
Do LED lights attract bugs?(2021, July 19). The Lighting Outlet. https://thelightingoutlet.com.au/blogs/news/do-led-lights-attract-bugs
FAQs
Why do LED light strips attract bugs? ›
Some lights attract bugs more because of the wavelengths of light they emit and their heat. Talking about wavelengths, insects are usually attracted to shorter wavelengths around 400 to 600 nm. They are also attracted to the lighting temperature or heat that light bulbs emit in the form of ultraviolet radiation.
How do I stop my LED lights from attracting bugs? ›However, yellow-coated bulbs aren't the only lights that can reduce the presence of bugs. LED lights that emit warm-colored illumination, such as yellow strip lights, yellow malibu light bulbs for landscape applications, or gold-tint filament bulbs, are great for creating an area that is less likely to attract bugs.
Do LED light strips attract bugs inside? ›Because LED lights are cooler than other types of lightbulbs (meaning they don't get as warm), bugs aren't as attracted to them in general.
Do LED lights attract more bugs? ›LED lights do not attract bugs the way incandescent lights do. But they do help make bug lights more efficient. The LED options are also quieter than traditional bug zappers. If bug zappers aren't an option for you, color lighting is an alternative.
What is the best light to not attract bugs? ›The best option is going to be a yellow compact fluorescent light (CFL). Yellow is the point where the wavelengths start getting longer. CFLs offer the best energy efficiency and emit less heat. Other yellow-tinted light bulb options that go unnoticed by insects include sodium vapor and halogen bulbs.
Do LED lights attract mosquitoes and bugs? ›Mosquitoes are not attracted to ultraviolet or LED light any more than they are to normal lights. LEDs in particular put off less warmth than other bulbs, making them even less attractive.
What color LED lights do bugs hate? ›Bugs can see Ultraviolet (UV), blue and green. That is why they are attracted to white or bluish lights such as mercury vapor, white incandescent, and white fluorescent. On the other hand, yellowish, pinkish, or orange are the least attractive to the bugs.
What color LED lights do not attract bugs? ›Bright white or bluish lights (mercury vapor, white incandescent and white florescent) are the most attractive to insects. Yellowish, pinkish, or orange (sodium vapor, halogen, dichroic yellow) are the least attractive to most insects.
Does LED light attract spiders? ›Do spiders like LED lights? The relationship between spiders and LED lights is simple: spiders like to eat bugs and insects. So, if your LED light is of a spectrum that attracts things spiders like to eat, you're going to attract spiders with it.
What Colour LED lights do spiders hate? ›The color that spiders tend to hate is light blue. People don't just paint their porches light blue for the aesthetic. Painting your porch ceiling in this shade is a pretty effective way of keeping spiders away. The color is also known to repel wasps.
Do LED strip lights attract mosquitoes? ›
LED lights do not attract bugs because they don't produce ultraviolet light.
What lights dont draw bugs? ›LED lights are optimal: LEDs are an energy efficient alternative to lighting that is about 90% more efficient than a traditional light bulb. As a result, they also tend to put off less bug-attracting heat. Railing lighting systems often use LEDs, and there are various types to choose from.
Are there any lights that don't attract bugs? ›According to the experiment, all outdoor lights attract bugs regardless of their light bulb. However, as the results show, warm LED lights attract the least bugs. So, if you have a choice, choose a warm yellow-orange LED bulb to avoid a large number of insects in your garden.
What is the best color to not attract bugs? ›Bugs are naturally attracted to bright colors like white, yellow or orange. Colors like green and blue won't register as vividly when seen in the UV spectrum, deterring bugs away from these colored objects.
How do LED lights affect insects? ›The researchers found that the LEDs negatively affected insects more than the sodium lights in the hedgerow surveys. Caterpillar numbers were 52% lower in the hedgerow surveys under LED lights than unlit areas. Sodium-based lights had 41% lower caterpillar numbers than unlit areas.
Do bugs live under LED lights? ›It is true that the light emitted by LED lights can attract bugs, but it is unfair to make the claim that LED light bulbs attract more bugs than other lightbulbs. It's more likely that it will affect external lighting such as floodlights or downlights that are exposed to outdoor elements.
What color light do mosquitoes hate? ›Mosquito Prevention & Control
Although mosquitoes are attracted to light, many people find that yellow bulbs are the best choice. Since light at this wavelength is less visible to the pests, they are less successful in using it to locate a meal.
To reduce the possibility of a mosquito biting you, you could consider wearing white, green or blue. Lighter colors are less interesting to mosquitos than darker shades like navy and black, red or orange. However, clothing color alone is unlikely to keep mosquitos away for good.
What color light is best for sleep? ›Research studies discovered red to be the best color light to help you sleep, because it increases production of melatonin as well as full darkness. On the other end of the spectrum, blue is the worst. Despite being a calm-inducing color on most occasions, blue is not suitable for lighting a bedroom.
Are LED lights killing insects? ›Despite being marketed as environmentally friendly, LED lights are even more harmful for insect populations than the traditional yellow sodium bulbs they are replacing.
Do LED lights cause silverfish? ›
The short answer is no, LED lights do not attract silverfish any more than other types of light. Silverfish like dark areas and so do not like light of any type. Silverfish aren't attracted to light because they are looking for food.
What smell do spiders love? ›While human food is not in their natural food chain, spiders are easily attracted to human food scents. Also, the insects that spiders eat seek out your crumbs.
What color are spiders scared of? ›The color that spiders tend to hate is light blue. People don't just paint their porches light blue for the aesthetic. Painting your porch ceiling in this shade is a pretty effective way of keeping spiders away.
What color do spiders love? ›Green is their favorite color because they're most sensitive to light in the green wavelength. As a result, wearing green or having lots of green items around your home will attract more spiders.
Are roaches attracted to LED light? ›Cockroach Behavior
Almost all cockroaches are nocturnal, which means they're active only at night. So are cockroaches attracted to light? Nope.
They can see green and ultraviolet light. Green is their favorite color because they're most sensitive to light in the green wavelength. As a result, wearing green or having lots of green items around your home will attract more spiders.
Do LED lights attract flies? ›But what is it about LED light that makes it so attractive to flies? LED lights produce intense beams of UV-A light that penetrate further into the surrounding environment and appear more attractive to certain insects than the light traditional lamps produce.
What color LEDs attract bugs? ›Bright white or bluish lights (mercury vapor, white incandescent and white florescent) are the most attractive to insects. Yellowish, pinkish, or orange (sodium vapor, halogen, dichroic yellow) are the least attractive to most insects.
Do LED lights attract bugs and spiders? ›White and blue LED lights attract the most amount of bugs, with ultraviolet and green LED lights also attracting bugs. Red LED lights are the least appealing to bugs—but unfortunately can be less useful for human use.
Why are flies attracted to my LED lights? ›But what is it about LED light that makes it so attractive to flies? LED lights produce intense beams of UV-A light that penetrate further into the surrounding environment and appear more attractive to certain insects than the light traditional lamps produce.
What color LED do bugs hate? ›
What color LED lights do not attract bugs? Bugs can see Ultraviolet (UV), blue and green. That is why they are attracted to white or bluish lights such as mercury vapor, white incandescent, and white fluorescent. On the other hand, yellowish, pinkish, or orange are the least attractive to the bugs.
What color do bugs hate? ›Bugs are naturally attracted to bright colors like white, yellow or orange. Colors like green and blue won't register as vividly when seen in the UV spectrum, deterring bugs away from these colored objects.
What color light is best to avoid bugs? ›Yellow-hued light bulbs are worth trying, too. “Yellow lights—and red lights—do not attract insects as much as regular white lights,” Russell says.
What color LED lights do spiders hate? ›The color that spiders tend to hate is light blue. People don't just paint their porches light blue for the aesthetic. Painting your porch ceiling in this shade is a pretty effective way of keeping spiders away. The color is also known to repel wasps.