Porch Lights That Don’t Attract Bugs

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!

How To Keep Bugs Away From The Porch Light

Posted on – Last updated: October 28, 2022

If you’ve ever been sitting on your porch or have come home at night to bugs swarming around your porch light and entering into your home when you open the door, you know how annoying that can be. So how can you keep bugs away from the porch light? We’ve researched this question and more to give you some possible solutions.

Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

If you want to keep bugs away from your porch light, try one or all of these five methods.

• Choose a different type of lightbulb.
• Spray a natural insect repellent.
• Install a screen.
• Purchase a bug zapper.
• Light citronella candles.

Turning off the light is the most effective solution, but not always the most ideal, especially when you’re eating outside or doing something else on the porch that requires you to be able to see. So let’s look at each of these more effective solutions for keeping bugs away from the porch light.

Best For Bulb Replacement: Bluex Led Bulbs

These LED bulbs are about as yellow as you can get. While this might not be your favorite ambient color, itll certainly mean there are no bugs present on your balcony or patio!

The bulbs have an automatic light sensor that switches them on and off. Of course, you can still control them with the light switch .

These bulbs are 40W but the company make plenty of other bulbs with different brightness and fittings.

You May Like: How Much To Build A Gazebo

Remove All Sources Of Still Water Around Your Property

Bugs may be attracted to your porch lights but they also come from somewhere. In most cases, that somewhere are pools of standing water such as water barrels, road ditches, large puddles, or actual swimming pools.

Removing these will reduce the bug breeding grounds around your property and through this the total number of bugs that can be attracted by your porch lights in the first place.

Those are the main ways to deal with the flying insects around your lawn and porch lights. Of course, you can always just turn the lights off at night but that kind of defeats their purpose. Instead, utilizing a combination 3 or 4 of the above methods can solve your issue almost completely.

ledwatcher

Blogger, editor, developer who loves green living. Interested in photovoltaics and solar lighting. Reviewing solar products since 2013.

You may also like…

What Smells Do Insects Hate

We mentioned earlier that citronella and other essential oils could be used to help repel insects. There are many more scents that are thought to repel insects as well. Some scents are more effective for repelling certain bugs than others. Let’s look at which scents are known to repel which insects.

• Cinnamon- repels wasps, spiders, and silverfish.
• Citronella- repels mosquitoes, gnats, moths, and ticks.
• Citrus – repels ants, cockroaches, moths, silverfish, and weevils.
• Lavender- repels mosquitoes, flies, gnats, ants, and ticks.
• Lemongrass- repels chiggers, mosquitoes, fleas, and flies.
• Peppermint- repels moths, ants, fleas, fruit flies, and stink bugs.

See More: How to Keep Bees Away from Your Porch

Recommended Reading: How To Level A Sloped Yard For A Patio

How To Attract Dragonflies

When attracting dragonflies to the garden, experts recommend installing a pond that is at least 20 feet in diameter. A pond of this size will support all stages of dragonfly development. A depth of 2 feet with shallow, sloping sides allows a place to plant water-loving vegetation. The pond is best if positioned in a sunny location. Dont put fish in your pond, as they feed on nymphs and will hinder your efforts to support the dragonfly population.

In addition to a pond, you can implement a small bog or rain garden, especially if you have areas of the yard with poor drainage that are prone to standing water. You can also install several 3 foot stakes, about 6 feet apart throughout your garden. The winged beauties will land on these stakes, using them as a perch. Avoid using any pesticides or bug zappers in your garden.

Plant Insect Repelling Plants

Planting certain types of plants in your garden or on your porch can help fight against swarms of bugs around your home. Choosing to create a small herb garden on your porch can even help repel bugs if you dont want to invest a lot of time or money to maintain a garden or needy landscaping. Herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, fennel, and oregano will repel insects, according to Maggies Farm. These herbs are particularly good at repelling mosquitoes and house flies. They can be planted in small pots, will need to be watered about once a week, and should receive plenty of sunlight. Along with repelling bugs, a plus to this method is that you will have fresh herbs to cook with.

Peppermint and lavender are other plants that will repel bugs. Peppermint will repel ants, mosquitoes, spiders, and aphids. Other than preventing bugs, peppermint will also leave your porch smelling wonderful. To care for peppermint, it will need partial sun and to be watered at least twice a week. This plant grows quickly and will take over your yard if you are not careful, so it should be kept in a pot. Lavender will also leave your porch smelling beautifully while repelling mosquitos, moths, flies, fleas, and scorpions. Lavender is a hardy plant that likes a lot of sun and to be watered at least once a week.

Also Check: How To Kill Clover On Lawn

What The Science Says

While there are many similar-looking lights at your local hardware store, all bulbs are not actually the same. There are quite a few different colors of lights, all placed on the electromagnetic spectrum. Lets take a look at the visible portion below.

Most insects have a completely different range of sight than human beings. Their sight registers EM waves from approximately 300nm to 650nm. However, their preference is light waves between 300nm to 420nm. This falls firmly into the UV range of light, to which insects are most attracted.

Fix The Lights Near The Ground

Alternatively, you can make the lights unattractive to the bugs by fixing them lower than they should. Remember, bugs fly high up and get attracted to lights on their way path. So, if you install your light source lower than usual, it will confuse the bugs.

If youre installing these lights on your porch, consider having them on the treads. Having the lights on the sides of the house will also keep them away as this isnt on their flight path.

Recommended Reading: A Rectangular Swimming Pool Is Bordered By A Concrete Patio

Other Ways To Keep Bugs Away From Your Home

Switching out your light bulb may lead to fewer bugs flying aroundbut you should also manage your expectations. A single light wont be the only thing that deters pesky insects.

When bugs are lurking nearbyespecially around doorwaystheres a good chance theyll find their way inside, Meek points out. He recommends being mindful of the four things insects need to survive: food, water, a place to live, and proper temperature. So, if you want to get rid of them , you also need to keep those basic needs from them.

Consider making these additional moves:

• Get rid of standing water. That includes making sure your flower pots have proper drainage and moving bird baths further away from your home.
• Check your screens. Bright lights emitted from your home will also attract insects, Webb says, so make sure your window and door screens are in good shape. Youll also want to keep your unscreened doors and windows closed.
• Fix door seals. A poor weather seal at the bottom of a door not only allows easy entry for insects, but may also allow light from indoors to illuminate the path for them, Webb says.
• Keep your outdoor space clean. That means keeping trash and food waste in covered containers, Matts says. It also doesnt hurt to keep your outdoor garbage cans away from your doors and windows, if possible.

If youve tried making these changes and youre still struggling with too many insects around your home, its probably time to call a pest management service for professional advice.

Option 3 Try Essential Oil As A Homemade Bug Repellents:

Oh! Its annoying as there is no summer exclusive of bugs. Hence you can make homemade bug repellents by using some widespread essential oil in our household tasks. Lemongrass, Rosemary, Geranium, Thyme, Clove, Citronella, and Spearmint are traditional bug-repellent properties. Please make your bug spray to repel spiders, flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and flies, and it depends on what oils you have!

Recommended Reading: How Much Does Lawn Care Cost Per Month

Wait Why Are Some Bugs Attracted To Light

This is actually a question thats still trying to be answered. Nobody really knows for sure why some bugs are attracted to light, says Howard Russell, M.S., an entomologist at Michigan State University.

Plus, not all insects are attracted to light, says Doug Webb, a board-certified entomologist and manager of technical services at Terminix International. The attraction to light is called phototaxis, he explains. Some bugs, like cockroaches, are actually repelled by light and thrive in the dark.

Related Stories

• 10 Plants That May Help Repel Bugs

Phototactic insect speciesmeaning theyre attracted to certain wavelengths of lightinclude flies, moths, and mosquitoes, among others.

One theory behind their love of the light? Its an escape from an area or a predatorthe light creates a clear path, says Frank Meek, technical services manager at Rollins.

Another theory is that nighttime flying insects may use light as navigation system, similar to relying on the light from the moon to guide them, says Emory Matts, a board-certified entomologist for Western Exterminator.

And like any living thing looking for a safe place, it also may be that some insects are drawn in by the heat generated by certain lights, Meek says.

Led Lights And Flying Insects

Posted: January 20, 2014

Manager of Technical Services and Board Certified Entomologistwith contributions by Eric Smith, PhD, BCE

For several decades pest management professionals have been advising their customers about the kind of lights to use and their proper placement on the exterior of their home or business to reduce the attraction to night-flying insects. When they became available, PMPs advised customers to change exterior white incandescent or fluorescent bulbs to less attractive yellow bulbs, and mercury vapor lights to less attractive sodium vapor lights. Recently, the lighting industry has brought LED lights onto the market for outdoor use.

The question is, are LEDs a good choice for outdoor lights, and why or why not?

Read Also: When To Start Watering Lawn In Spring

The Wattage Of The Bulb/ Light Source

If you want to reduce the number of bugs attracted to the type of light youre using, consider the wattage. A bulb with a higher wattage produces brighter light which attracts bugs. Bright light also shines from a distance, confusing the bugs as moonlight. This will keep them coming in that direction.

If youre using a bulb with greater wattage, be ready to also pay for higher electricity bills as they produce more heat. Youll be uncomfortable indoors and use AC to cool down the house, increasing your utility bills. This is more so a bulb with filaments. A bulb that produces much heat is an attraction to these bugs. So, you should avoid using them.

Recommended Reading: Light Dinner Ideas For Family

Option 6 Light Citronella Or Geraniol Candles :

Light Citronella or Geraniol candles are idyllic for use at campsites, in yards to eliminate mosquitos or other insects. When your guests, friends, or other family members complain about the bugs, you can use them as the best alternatives to Bug spray. To keep the bugs away in no small cover of area Light Citronella or Geraniol candles are convenient. Like other typical candles, they are used in our house, but they contain lemongrass and citronella oil, indispensable for keeping bugs away. Moreover, I would recommend you not using citronella candles indoors, tents, garages, or low ventilation areas.

Recommended Reading: Screen Porch Kits With Roof

The Best Outdoor Lighting Option For You

Overall, the research points to this conclusion: purchasing a warmer LED, especially of red concentration, is the most effective way to both keep bugs away form an outdoor area and avoid the disruption of their natural flight patterns. Steering clear of lights with the blue spectrum and high-heat emission will reduce your backyard bug population significantly. Dont forget about the added benefits of LED lights durability, lifespan, and energy-efficiency which make these red LED lights the best option for a peaceful and comfortable outdoor design.

Keep Porch Lights Turned Off

The best way to keep bugs away from porch lights is simply to turn them off. If you dont need the light, theres no point in turning it on.

While this isnt a permanent solution, it certainly will help if youre trying to host an outdoor function and want as little activity as possible around your lighting.

You May Like: How To Set Up Patio String Lights

The Benefits Of Using Outdoor String Lights Dont Attract Bugs

One of the best things about outdoor string lights is that they dont attract bugs. This means you can enjoy your time outdoors without having to worry about pesky insects bothering you. Additionally, outdoor string lights can provide a beautiful and romantic ambiance to any outdoor space.

If youre looking for a way to add some ambiance to your outdoor space without attracting bugs, outdoor string lights are a great option! Here are some benefits of using outdoor string lights that dont attract bugs:

• Theyre beautiful! String lights can instantly transform any outdoor space into a magical oasis.
• Theyre versatile. You can use string lights to accentuate your landscaping, create a romantic setting, or add some extra light to your backyard gathering space.
• They dont attract bugs. Because they dont produce heat, outdoor string lights wont attract bugs like other outdoor lighting options, like candles or lanterns, can.
• Theyre easy to use. Hang them up and plug them in, and youre all set!
• Theyre affordable. Outdoor string lights are a great way to add some extra flair to your outdoor space without breaking the bank.

Don’t Leave Standing Water Around Your Home

Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for bugs like mosquitos. To help stop so many bugs from swarming your porch, you should find the source of all the bugs and remove it. With mosquitos specifically, they lay eggs in and around standing water, so you can reduce the number of mosquitoes near your home if there is no standing water. Standing water is water that doesn’t flow or move, which can often be found in bird baths, ponds, and rain barrels.

To get rid of standing water Breda Pest Management recommends a couple of places to make changes. First, look around your home for any buckets and overturn them. You can also get rid of bird baths and bring inside any pet bowls that are left outside. If you have a fountain, either drain and cover it or turn it on so that the water is running. If there are any ponds near your home, you can fill them with fish like koi that will eat mosquito larvae. If you want to keep bird baths and ponds, integrate running water in them to keep things moving and fresh.

Recommended Reading: 3 Piece Fire Pit Set

What Color Light Bulbs Keep Bugs Away

While LED light bulbs will do a better job at keeping more bugs away from your garage, we can go a step further. Certain colors of lights will be less attractive to bugs.

A Virginia study in 2016 found that lights with warmer color temperatures attracted significantly fewer insects than the same light with a cooler color temperature.

Color temperature, measured in degrees Kelvin, refers to the shade of light along the color spectrum. The higher the color temperature, the longer the lights wavelength, and the warmer the tone. See my guide to color temperature for more details.

The short explanation is a warm colored LED light attracts fewer bugs than an LED light bulb on the blue light spectrum .

What Color Outdoor Light Does Not Attract Bugs

Ultraviolet , blue, and green are the three primary colors seen by insects. In addition, insects are attracted to bright white or bluish lights from the mercury vapor, white incandescent, and white fluorescent range.

Most insects dislike yellowish, pinkish, or orange colors from the sodium vapor, halogen, yellow dichroic range.

Also Check: How To Tilt Patio Umbrella

Are There Any Downsides To Bug Lights

Some people dont like the rich yellow hue that bug lights emit.

Even worse, bug lights attract some kinds of bugs instead of deterring them. Bug lights are not inviting to moths and mosquitoes, but research has found that they are beautiful to stink bugs and earwigs.

If you have stinkbugs or earwigs, you will be better off using a LED bulb in a warm-hued white rather than a yellow bug light.