Are spiders attracted to LED lights? Do some lights keep bugs away? Oh, and -- What's the deal with moths? Read on to find out!
If you’re reading this article, it means that at some point you’ve found yourself pondering a burning question: do LED lights attract bugs?
The simplest answer is: it depends on the bug, the LED light in question, and where the light is located. Because this isn’t a simple, straightforward concept, we’ve put together this guide to help you make the right decisions in your lighting setup.
Do LED Lights Attract Bugs?
The reason this question can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” is because it depends on the color of the LED light—and which kind of bugs you’re thinking about.
A 2021 UCLA study confirmed that the color of LED light used is a major factor in whether or not insects are affected. The main outcome of the study—and the widely accepted answer, as of now—is that insects are less attracted to yellow and amber lights, while more attracted to blue and ultraviolet light.
Why Does It Matter if LED Lights Attract Insects, Bugs, and Spiders?
Before we go deeper into which LED spectrums and colors attract which creepy crawlies, it’s worth noting that one of the largest concerns about using the wrong lights in the wrong environments is that it can affect populations and disrupt environments.
Meanwhile, another concern has been that if you’re installing lights in an area where people will be spending time outside, the last thing you want to do is attract more bugs, insects, and spiders.
So, Which Colors of LED Light Should You Use to Avoid Attracting Bugs?
The biggest differentiator here is what color you use. Consider the following best practices:
- Yellow and amber LED lights will attract the fewest number of insects and bugs
- 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
This should help you determine which color of light is best for your purposes. Remember that this is most important in outdoor situations and what your concerns are.
Do LED Lights Attract Spiders?
You might be thinking: wait a minute, what about spiders? Are spiders even bugs? What’s the deal? 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. And similarly, UV lights only attract spiders when the lights are attracting things spiders like to eat.
Be thoughtful in which color of LED light you choose for your purposes—and then you’ll know whether to expect spiders on the scene or not.
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