Wondering how to keep bugs away from a porch light?
We all know that bugs are everywhere, but they’re especially bad around porch lights. The worst part about having a porch light is the swarms of annoying insects it attracts.
Mosquitoes and other pests can be really frustrating to deal with, but there are solutions for keeping them away from your home.
Luckily for you, we’ve found a few easy and affordable ways to keep those pesky bugs away from your porch light! Don’t let annoying bugs ruin your porch light experience!
Follow these easy tips for how to keep bugs away from porch lights and you’ll be good-to-go in no time.
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1. Switch Out Your Porch Light
Changing the porch light is the best way to keep bugs away from them. Most people use incandescent bulbs which emit a great amount of heat and attract bugs.
Try switching your porch light to LED lights which still look great while giving off less heat. LED lights will help decrease the number of bugs around your home!
2. Change To A Yellow Bulb
Another great way to keep bugs away from your lights is to switch to “bug” bulbs. This type of bulb produces a wide spectrum of yellow light and is meant to repel insects by generating the greatest possible amount of light in the visible color range, making them difficult for insects to see.
Although yellow lightbulbs are an excellent method to keep bugs from your porch light, they are not always the most attractive. Some people like to switch out their porch light colors to support a certain cause. If you don’t like how yellow lights look, don’t worry there are other options you can try!
3. Burn The Bugs Away With Bug Zapper
Another effective way to keep bugs away from outside lights is to use a bug zapper like this one. These “zappers” are a highly successful technique of attracting and controlling insects.
However, as appealing as this may appear, there are a few drawbacks as you’ll be left with lots of dead insects lying beneath the bug zapper as well as a lingering smell of burnt bugs.
4. Install A Ceiling Fan
If your home has a wrap-around style porch with an overhang, one or more fans might be just what you need.
Not only will they help reduce the number of airborne critters by literally blowing them away, but they’ll also keep your surroundings cooler and more hospitable during the sultry summer months.
5. Use Candles
Believe it or not, you can actually keep bugs away with candles. All you have to do is light up a couple of scented candles around your porch’s perimeter and watch the bugs disappear!
Citronella candles work extremely well. A few other good options are lemongrass, rosemary, lavender, peppermint & eucalyptus.
Using candles is a great short-term solution if you are hosting a party, but they aren’t the greatest long-term solution.
Not only are candles expensive, but they can also be a fire hazard. Also, if your porch is large, or windy, this method probably won’t work well.
6. Add Some Insect Repelling Plants
Mosquitoes and other bugs will be naturally repelled by certain fragrances found in common plants.
By planting some of these near your porch, you will be able to drastically cut down on those pesky bugs near your porch lights.
There are many great bug-repelling plants you can use to keep bugs away from your porch lights. Some of these include:
- Rosemary
- Lavender Mint
- Basil
- Citronella grass
- Sage
- Lemon Balm
- Bay Leaves
- Thyme
- Mint
7. Hang Spice Pouches
Another great way to keep those insects away from your lights is to use spice pouches.
You can buy some or even use coffee filters instead. Simply fill them with herbs such as catnip, mint, thyme, bay leaves, or rosemary. Then, hang them around your light fixtures or set them somewhere near them. This will repel most bugs that would normally come near.
8. Spray Your Porch And Lights With A Bug-Repellent
There are many essential oils that are a natural turn-off for bugs. Simply add a small amount of soapy water and some essential oils to a spray bottle, and spray around your porch lights.
Some of the best oils to use are rosemary, mint, clove oil, lavender, citronella, lemongrass & peppermint.
The problem with this method is that you will have to reapply daily to keep the bugs away.
9. Keep Porch Lights Turned Off
The best way to keep bugs away from porch lights is simply to turn them off. If you don’t need the light, there’s no point in turning it on.
While this isn’t a permanent solution, it certainly will help if you’re trying to host an outdoor function and want as little activity as possible around your lighting.
10. Get Rid Of Standing Water
The more standing water you have, the more bugs you will find around your porch lights. By removing any standing water sources, you will drastically cut down on the number of bugs in your vicinity.
Some common areas of standing water are in birdbaths, pet dishes, water bowls, outdoor fountains, and ponds. Take some time to check for any other areas that might have standing water and eliminate them. This will drastically help you keep bugs away from your porch lights.
11. Consider Screening In Your Porch
If you really want to keep bugs away, consider installing screens on your porch. This method is also the most expensive but is definitely one of the most effective. Screens create a barrier that is too small for bugs to fit through.
These screens can be installed by a professional in as little as one day for only a few hundred dollars, or you can attempt to install screens yourself and save some money.
12. Hang A Bird House Near Your Porch Lights
If you have a birdhouse in your yard, hang it near your porch lights. Birds eat bugs naturally so by inviting them into the location you are allowing nature to take its course.
13. Use Vinegar & Water
For a natural solution, simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Mix well until the solution is consistent throughout. Spray around your porch lights and areas where you have seen bugs congregate before.
For an added effect, add a few drops of essential oil to this mixture for a more powerful repelling effect.
14. Keep Your Porch Clean
To help keep bugs away from your porch lights, make sure to keep your porch clean. Wipe any spilled liquids immediately and sweep the porch regularly.
15. Call Pest Control Services
In extreme cases, it might make more sense to hire a pest control company. These professionals have access to chemicals that you cannot buy yourself and will rid your porch of any potential invaders quickly.
Conclusion
Porch lights are a great way to illuminate your home, but they also attract bugs. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep bugs away from your porch lights.
The best way to eliminate this problem is to use a yellow bulb. However, if that is not an option for you, there are many other ways. Try using a birdhouse and some essential oils and spices to keep the bugs away from your porch lights.
If all else fails, call a pest control company to keep the insects out of the area.
