Mosquitoes are a common summertime nuisance. Their bites can leave itchy welts on skin, and some mosquitoes can transmit dangerous diseases like West Nile virus, Zika, malaria, and more. Because of the health risks posed by mosquitoes, many people look for ways to reduce mosquito populations and mosquito bites around their homes. This often leads to questions about whether certain light sources like LED lights attract mosquitoes.
Do LED Lights Attract Mosquitoes? The Short Answer
In short, LED lights are less likely to attract mosquitoes than other light sources like incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. However, LED lights can still draw some mosquitoes in if the light is bright enough.
Below, we’ll explore why mosquitoes are attracted to light, how LEDs compare to other light sources, and steps you can take to reduce mosquito attraction around LED lighting.
Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Light?
Mosquitoes use a variety of visual, odor, and heat cues to find hosts to bite. Light sources like bulbs or lamps can inadvertently mimic some of these natural cues that attract mosquitoes.
Specifically, scientists think mosquitoes may be drawn to light sources for the following reasons:
- They mistake light for natural cues like the moon. Mosquitoes typically become more active in dusk and dawn periods. Bright lighting may simulate those twilight conditions.
- The light resembles the natural glow produced by hosts like humans and animals. Mosquitoes locate hosts in part through their body heat radiation.
- Light produces heat that mimics host body warmth. Mosquitoes sense heat through receptors on their antennae.
- Light reflects off surfaces like skin, helping mosquitoes target hosts and mating partners.
In essence, light can inadvertently replicate many of the natural signals that mosquitoes look for. This causes the insects to gravitate toward the light source, expecting to find a feeding or breeding opportunity.
Do LED Lights Attract Mosquitoes More Than Other Bulb Types?
LED lighting attracts fewer mosquitoes compared to traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting. This is likely because of key differences in how LEDs produce light.
Some key factors about LEDs that make them less attractive to mosquitoes include:
- Lower heat emissions – Incandescent bulbs get very hot, while LEDs stay much cooler. With less heat to mimic body warmth, mosquitoes are less drawn to LEDs.
- Narrower spectrum – LEDs emit light in a narrow band, while incandescent bulbs produce a broader spectrum. Mosquitoes may be less attracted to LEDs’ monochromatic light.
- Less ultraviolet light – Mosquitoes see ultraviolet (UV) light that humans cannot. Incandescent and fluorescent lights emit more UV than LEDs, making them more visible.
Research looking at mosquito trapping rates around different light sources confirms that LEDs tend to attract fewer insects than other options:
| Light Source | Mosquitoes Caught Per Trap Night |
|---|---|
| Incandescent | 135 |
| Compact Fluorescent | 82 |
| Halogen | 67 |
| High-Pressure Sodium | 62 |
| Metal Halide | 59 |
| LED | 43 |
While LEDs attract fewer mosquitoes, they can still draw in some insects if they are bright enough. Brighter light of any type provides more visual cues likely to attract mosquitoes.
Tips to Minimize Mosquito Attraction to LED Lights
Even though LEDs are less attractive to mosquitoes than other bulbs, some steps can further reduce mosquito activity around the lights:
- Use dimmer LED bulbs or keep lights on the lowest brightness sufficient for tasks.
- Install LED bulbs with a warmer color temperature below 3000 Kelvin. Cooler blue-toned light attracts more insects.
- Avoid installing LED floodlights or spotlights very close to patios or seating areas.
- Place outdoor LEDs on motion sensors or timers so the lights are only on when needed.
- Keep LEDs and other exterior lighting off when not needed to avoid drawing mosquitoes at night.
- Use yellow or amber LED bulbs instead of white, blue, or UV light to attract fewer insects.
Using LED bulbs in covered light fixtures can also help prevent light from broadcasting up into the air and attracting mosquitoes from a distance.
Using LED Lights in Mosquito Traps
In addition to being less attractive to mosquitoes directly, LED lights can also be beneficial for mosquito control. UV LEDs are now commonly used as an attractant and killing mechanism in lethal mosquito traps.
For example, many personal mosquito traps designed for backyards use a low-wattage UV LED alongside a fan. The LED light draws mosquitoes into the device, where the fan then sucks them into a trap and dehydrates them to death.
Using LEDs allows these traps to run efficiently on battery power. The UV light attracts mosquitoes without needing the intensity, heat, and hazards of a standard UV bug zapper.
Other Factors That Attract Mosquitoes
While light plays a role in attracting hungry female mosquitoes looking for a blood meal, some other factors also draw the insects in, including:
- Carbon dioxide – Mosquitoes sense CO2 released in breath. Higher CO2 levels signal potential hosts nearby.
- Body heat – Mosquitoes gravitate toward the warmth emitted by human and animal bodies.
- Sweat and oils – Chemicals secreted in sweat and oils stand out compared to other scents and can lure mosquitoes.
- Dark clothing – Mosquitoes are drawn to darker colors which contrast strongly against pale skin.
- Standing water – Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water pools, sticking close to potential egg-laying sites.
With this in mind, some other tactics to reduce mosquito issues include:
- Avoiding heavily shaded or wooded areas
- Wearing light-colored clothing
- Using oscillating fans to disrupt CO2 plumes
- Eliminating sources of standing water in yards
- Applying mosquito repellent on skin and clothing when outdoors
Conclusion
LED light bulbs and fixtures attract fewer mosquitoes compared to traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Lower heat emissions, narrow wavelength light, and minimal UV outputs make LEDs less visible and less appealing to mosquitoes.
However, very bright LEDs can still draw some mosquitoes in. Dimming lights, using warme-colored bulbs, and placing lights carefully can all help reduce mosquito attraction. UV LEDs can also be used strategically in mosquito traps to attract and kill the insects.
Light is just one factor of many driving mosquito behavior. An integrated mosquito control strategy should also address breeding sites, repellents, fans, and other tactics to lower mosquito activity and biting around the home.
With smart use of LED technology and other mosquito deterrents, it’s possible to enjoy warm summer nights outdoors with less annoyance from persistent mosquitoes. Discuss options with your local mosquito control department or pest control professional to find the best solutions for your property.
