With summer finally here, insects are active again. Which means that you need to take the necessary steps to prevent your property from being invaded by these pests. That all starts with the outdoor lighting you are using.

What do my outdoor lights have to do with insects?

Many insects use light for navigation. This natural navigation system  either attracts them to a light source or makes them avoid it. This navigation system is triggered by both natural and artificial lights.

Insects are also able to see light rays with shorter wavelengths in the visible light spectrum that is why insects can see black, blue light, and flower colours. However, as the wavelength increases, they are incapable of seeing  it, hence they struggle to see yellow-orange, orange-red and infrared lights. It is based on this that some light types and bulbs are attractive to insects while others are not.

What to consider when buying outdoor lights?

Light Colour

As we mentioned earlier, flying insects are not able to see light rays with longer wavelengths; thus, light bulbs that emit yellow, orange or infrared light are less likely to attract flying insects. Using yellow fluorescent lamps (compact fluorescent lamp), yellow tinted light bulbs such as sodium vapour lamps, halogen lamps or yellow light emitting LED bulbs for your outdoor light set up can make a tremendous difference in reducing the number of flying insects attracted to  or onto your property.

Light Intensity

Remember that the brighter (high intensity) the light, the higher likelihood that your property will be attractive to insects. Bright lights are often preferred outdoors for security purposes, white soft or warm light can be used in place of bright lights.

Note that if you want a brighter light source, an alternative solution is to install them  away from your backyard or patio area  but pointing to the area you want illuminated, thus ensuring that insects are drawn away from you, while also receiving the benefit of a lit up patio area.

Bulb Warmth

Insects are attracted to the warmth of  light bulbs. High wattage bulbs and glowing bulb filaments produce heat, which can make your property an insect magnet.  Therefore, it is advisable to always use bulbs with lower watts to ensure that your lights aren’t drawing insects to your property.