You can take steps to prevent insect infestations, but there’s one thing many homeowners do that actually directs pests right to the front door: if you leave the front porch light on at night it’s like a beacon for bugs.
Since leaving the porch lights on is recommended for home security, the best solution isn’t always to switch the light off. What you need is a different light bulb. That’s right, simply changing the bulb could keep bugs from buzzing around your door at night. But which light bulb is the best at deterring burglars and bugs?
Let’s find out!
Why Some Bugs Are Attracted to Light
Some bugs are attracted to lights while others are repelled by it. So what’s the difference?
Phototaxisis the scientific term for how an organism’s body reacts to light. Positive phototaxis means that an animal is attracted to light, and negative phototaxis makes an animal move away from light. Nocturnal insects, like co*ckroaches and earthworms, have a negative phototaxis.
Many flying insects are the exact opposite:they have a positive phototaxis. It’s a natural instinct for themto move towards the light and hover around it. Some insects can resist the urge, but others (moths and flies) simply can’t help themselves. Entomologists aren’t sure why many insects have a positive phototaxis, but it’s clear that they do.
Why Yellow Bug Bulbs Are a Good Idea
If you can’t dissuade bugs from being attracted to light, the best thing homeowners can do is use lighting that insects can’t see. Larvae have simple eyes that can only differentiate between dark and light. Adult insects on the other hand have compound eyes that go beyond light and dark.
However, adult insect sight is a little more complex. Adult insects have either bichromatic or trichromatic eyesight. Insects with bichromatic eyesight have two types of color receptors whereas trichromatic eyesight have three color receptors. The bugs with trichromatic eyesight can see more colors.
Thelight spectrumincludes a variety of colors. Different colors are seen at different wavelengths, which are measured in nanometers. Insects, like humans, can’t detect the entire spectrum of light.
In general, the longer/lower the wavelength is the less likely a bug is to see the associated color. Looking at a light spectrum chart you’ll notice that warmer colors like red, orange and yellow have the lowest/longest wavelengths. Red, which is at the far end of the spectrum, is actually completely invisible to insects.
Lighting manufacturers have caught on to insect eyesight anatomy. In recent years they’ve started making specially colored bulbs that are specifically designed for outdoor use so you can get decent illumination while attracting fewer 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.
Other Lighting Factors to Consider
There are two other factors that will affect how attractive light is to night-flying insects – heat and brightness. The more heat and brightness a light puts off the more bugs it will attract. High wattage bulbs and lights that use glowing filaments (halogen and incandescent) will provide a warm welcome for bugs even if they put off a yellow light.
That’s why today most yellow bug lights are CFLs. This type of bulb creates more illumination but at a lower wattage. That means less heat is emitted by compact flourescent lightbulbs.
Warm and Cool “White” LEDs Also Work
Unlike us humans, insects can see ultraviolet (UV) light, and it’s their favorite. UV light has a very short wavelength and beams out further.
Arecent studypublished in the journal Ecology and Evolution found that both warm and cool LED lights attract about half as many insects as CFLs. Many LED bulbs emit almost no UV light, and they also put off almost no heat. When LEDs have a warm “white” color it creates the ideal lighting for the front of a home.
A rule of thumb for LEDs is the lower the Kelvin (K) temperature,the more yellow the light will be. LEDs that are around3000K will have a yellow tint. Once you get close to 6,000 Kelvins LEDs start to have the characteristic blue tint that bugs like because it has a shorter wavelength that their eyes can detect.
Homeowners should note that it’s virtually impossible to keep all bugs from congregating around the porch light. Even yellow bug bulbs will emit shorter wavelengths that a few insects may pick up on. And once one bug finds the light larger bugs will be more likely swing by for an easy meal.
Keep more bugs out of your yard and away from your front door no matter what porch light you have with regularpest control treatments. Our highly trained technicians will clear out the cobwebs, nests and hiding spots that attract bugs both day and night. Give us a call to learn more about schedulingpest control service in Central Alabama.
Original Source:https://www.vulcantermite.com/home-improvement/outdoor-lighting-options-that-wont-attract-bugs/
As an expert in entomology and lighting technologies, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of insect behavior, specifically their phototactic responses to different wavelengths of light. Additionally, my knowledge extends to the advancements in lighting technologies, particularly those designed to minimize insect attraction.
Phototaxis and Insect Behavior
The article correctly identifies phototaxis as the scientific term for how organisms respond to light. Positive phototaxis attracts animals toward light, while negative phototaxis repels them. Nocturnal insects, such as co*ckroaches and earthworms, exhibit negative phototaxis, moving away from light. Conversely, many flying insects display positive phototaxis, drawing them towards light sources.
Yellow Bug Bulbs and Invisibility to Insects
The article introduces the concept of using yellow bug bulbs to minimize insect attraction. This is based on the fact that insects, especially those with simple eyes like larvae, struggle to differentiate certain colors. The wavelength of yellow light, being longer, is less likely to be detected by insects. Red light, at the far end of the spectrum, is mentioned as completely invisible to insects.
Light Spectrum and Insect Vision
The article delves into the light spectrum and insect vision, emphasizing that insects, like humans, can't detect the entire spectrum. Warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow have longer wavelengths, making them less visible to bugs. Lighting manufacturers leverage this knowledge to produce specially colored bulbs for outdoor use.
Yellow Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) and Other Options
The recommendation for yellow CFLs is grounded in their efficiency, low heat emission, and the longer wavelengths associated with the color yellow. Sodium vapor and halogen bulbs are also mentioned as options that go unnoticed by insects.
Factors Affecting Insect Attraction
The article discusses two additional factors affecting insect attraction to light: heat and brightness. High wattage bulbs and those using glowing filaments emit more heat and are more attractive to bugs. Yellow bug lights, particularly CFLs, are highlighted for emitting less heat due to their lower wattage.
Warm and Cool "White" LEDs
The article introduces the concept that insects can see ultraviolet (UV) light, and it's a strong attractant for them. Recent research findings suggest that warm and cool LED lights attract fewer insects compared to CFLs. The lower the Kelvin (K) temperature of LEDs, the more yellow the light appears, making them a viable option for minimizing insect attraction.
Pest Control Considerations
The article concludes by acknowledging that it's challenging to eliminate all bugs around porch lights. Regular pest control treatments are recommended to address cobwebs, nests, and hiding spots that attract bugs, emphasizing a holistic approach to insect management.
In summary, the article provides a well-informed guide for homeowners on outdoor lighting options that deter bugs based on a thorough understanding of insect behavior and lighting technologies.
