Ever sat down to enjoy a warm summer night on the deck, only to end up swatting mozzies the whole time? We’ve all been there. If your outdoor lights are turning your backyard into an insect party, you’ve come to the right place.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through some smart lighting choices that help keep bugs at bay, so you can enjoy your evenings without the constant buzzing.

Why Are Bugs Attracted to Lights?

Let’s start with the basics. Bugs love light, but it’s not just any light. Most insects are drawn to UV light and cool, blue-toned light sources. If you’ve ever seen bugs swarming around one particular light over another, it’s highly likely that it was the fitting with the brighter white bulb. This is why bug zappers usually have a white-blue tinge.

Here’s what draws them in:

• UV and blue light: Insects see ultraviolet and blue wavelengths best.
  

• Warmth: Some bulbs give off heat, which also attracts bugs.

• Brightness: Super bright lighting can act like a beacon for flying pests.

So, the trick is to choose lighting that doesn’t tick these boxes.

Are bugs particularly attracted to LEDs?

Bugs aren't fussy about the type of bulbs you use. They care about what the light looks and feels like. As mentioned above, you need to consider the colour spectrum of light the bulb emits and the heat it emits. These factors are much more important than the type.

However, there are two main differences in incandescent and LED lights that are of interest to bugs:

• LEDs are bright and many do emit that cool white, blue colour that bugs love. Crucially, this can be avoided by choosing the right colour temperature
• Incandescent light bulbs produce a bit of heat. This is harder to avoid and why LEDs are generally a better choice for bug-resistant lights. 

It's worth knowing that different types of bug are attracted to different colour spectrums as well, so you may need to consider what type of bugs are in your area and what type of colour spectrum attracts them most. However, our solutions and top picks should work for most bugs.

Solution 1. Choose Warm Colour Temperatures

Looking for a quick and easy change? Go to a warm light globe and avoid cool white colours. Light colour is measured in Kelvins (K), and the lower the number, the warmer the glow. Bugs are way less interested in lights around 2700K to 3000K.

Cool white LEDs (5000K+) might be crisp and bright, but they’re also like a nightclub for bugs. Same goes for any bulbs that give off UV rays like some older CFLs or bug zappers.

The warm, golden glow you get from most amber or soft white LEDs is not only more relaxing to enjoy in the evenings, it’s also less likely to attract bugs. A warm white, as the name suggests, will also make it ‘feel’ warmer in the colder evenings. 

Solution 2. Use Yellow “Bug Lights”

Yep, they’re a real thing! They also work, we have 100’s of satisfied customers who thank us regularly to solve this pesky problem. Bug lights are designed with a yellow coating or a warm LED spectrum that acts as a repellent to the light bugs are attracted to. You’ll often find these in garden lights, wall lights and alfresco fittings.

These are great for:

• Alfresco lighting
  

• Outdoor wall lights
  

• Entryways and door lights
  

They don’t zap bugs, they just don’t attract them in the first place.

Solution 3. Solar Lights With Motion Sensors

Not only are solar lights eco-friendly, they’re also great for reducing bug time. If the light’s only on when you need it, there’s less chance for insects to gather. The more insects are prone to gather in an area, the more likely they are to breed there too.

Motion sensor fittings or step lights are ideal for:

• Driveways
  

• Pathways
  

• Side walkways or garden borders
  

You’ll save energy and avoid constantly lighting up the bug buffet.

Bonus solution. Add Some Airflow

It’s not exactly a lighting tip, but a ceiling fan or outdoor pedestal fan can help too. Bugs struggle to fly in strong airflow, so adding a ceiling fan with a light combo can cool you down and blow away the bugs. This is similar to the impact a breeze has on flies during the day - a welcome relief.

Choosing an outdoor fan with an integrated (warm white) light, is a great combination for deterring bugs.

Final Thoughts: Light Up Your Evenings, Not the Insects

The bottom line? Not all lights are equal when it comes to bugs. Stick to warm white lighting, choose smart fixtures, and avoid those cool white UV-heavy globes. Here are a couple of our favourite lights that are not so popular with the bugs!