With homeowners trying to save on energy and cut corners on electricity costs, LED lighting has taken the industry by storm. However, one thing did not seem to sync up for a lot of people after switching to LED lighting. Clouds of insects appear to land in droves on their most recent fixtures, leading to irritating situations both inside and outside the property.
Millions of households worldwide face this problem. Moths, beetles, flies, and other flying insects seem to be attracted to LED lights as much as traditional bulbs. But ot all LED lights are the same when it comes to attracting bugs. The properties of LED lighting can make it both unattractive and appealing to flying insects. Putting these facts together gives you the information you need to make better choices in lighting for your home.
Remember, if you are unable to eliminate persistent insect problems near your lighting after trying these things, a reputable pest control company can offer the best solutions tailored to your situation. Head over here to speak to an expert.
How Does LED Light Attract Pests?
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Light Spectrum and Wavelength Impact
LED bulbs radiate unique wavelengths as compared to regular bulbs. Insects are most responsive to the blue and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. A lot of LEDs generate a lot of blue light, which is like a beacon for flying insects.
Studies have shown that insects can see ultraviolet light that is invisible to humans. Some LED lights give off little bits of UV light, even though to us, they look white. This invisible appeal lures insects from far distances to the lighting system.
The LED light’s color temperature also impacts it significantly. Cool white LEDs with higher color temperatures emit more blue light than warm white LEDs.
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Heat Production Differences
Traditional incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat, which many people believe attracts bugs. However, LED lights create much less heat and still retain their bug-attracting power. This defies the widespread belief that flying insects are attracted by heat.
In fact, the diminished heat radiated by LEDs can even focus insect activity differently. Insects may also be more likely to become concentrated in the vicinity of a cooler LED light source than a hot bulb. This focus can make your bug issues even worse than with regular lights.
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Brightness and Intensity Factors
Many of today’s LED lights are designed to direct more focused light than older bulb styles. This intense brightness produces a more intense signal that insects can see from farther away. Larger lumen output basically increases the distance that bugs will fly to get to your lighting help.
Studies have shown that artificial lights can lure insects from distances of several hundred meters, which makes the attraction radius even longer for brighter lights.
What Can You Do To Avoid Pests When Using LED Lights
Opt for warm white LED varieties with lower color temperatures as opposed to cool white. These warm lights have fewer blue spectrum lights that some bugs are attracted to. There could be a significant divergence in the number of insects attracted between warm and cool LEDs.
Fit lights with yellow or amber filters or covers. Flying insects cannot see these colors as well, but humans can still see in enough light to conduct work on Earth. Many outdoor LED fixtures now offer bug-chasing amber options.
Think about some of the lower-wattage LED alternatives that still produce enough light for your purposes. Dimming light output to a level that remains fully functional can achieve dramatic levels of insect resistance without any sacrifice of safety or visibility.
Wrapping Up
LED bulbs will remain an energy-efficient option for most homeowners, but knowing how they affect insect behavior allows you to make more informed decisions. The magic is in choosing the right LED lights and strategically placing them around your home, your landscaping, your trees, etc.
Lighting, however, is not always enough, and there are instances where total overhauls are necessary beyond swapping lights. Knowledgeable pest professionals can assess your situation and offer integrated solutions that will work in conjunction with your lighting selections for effective, long-term insect management.
