Mosquitoes are a common nuisance that can ruin an otherwise pleasant outdoor experience. Their bites can leave itchy welts and potentially transmit diseases like West Nile virus, Zika, malaria, and more. Many people look for ways to repel mosquitoes in order to enjoy their yard, patio, or campsite in peace.
One popular mosquito deterrent is colored lighting. Certain colors and wavelengths of light can make an area less attractive to mosquitoes. Using strategic lighting around an outdoor space may help minimize mosquito activity without the need for sprays, candles, or other methods.
How Mosquitoes Use Vision to Find Hosts
Mosquitoes have fairly good vision and use their eyes to detect potential hosts from a distance. They are particularly sensitive to certain wavelengths and contrasts of light. Mosquitoes find dark colors andmoving objects especially attractive.
During the daytime, mosquitoes rely heavily on vision for host detection. At night, they switch to other senses like odor, heat, and carbon dioxide detection. But lighting conditions can still impact mosquito behavior after dark.
Wavelengths That Deter Mosquitoes
Extensive research has been done on mosquito vision and how they react to different colors and wavelengths of light. Studies have identified some wavelengths that can deter mosquitoes from an area:
- Ultraviolet light – Mosquitoes cannot see colors in the ultraviolet range (less than 400 nanometers). Installing UV lights or bulbs can help make an area less visible.
- Green, yellow, and orange light – Mosquitoes are less attracted to warmer long wavelengths like green, yellow, and orange light (500-600 nanometers).
- Red light – Light in the long wavelength red spectrum (over 650 nanometers) is essentially invisible to mosquitoes.
Colors That Attract Mosquitoes
In contrast to the wavelengths listed above, some colors of light actually attract mosquitoes by making an area more visible:
- Blue light – Short wavelength light around 450 nanometers looks bright blue-green to mosquitoes. Blue decorative lights will make an area more noticeable.
- White light – Broad spectrum white light allows mosquitoes to see contrasts and movement clearly.
- Black lights – Long wave “black lights” (315-400 nanometers) make fluorescent objects glow brightly to mosquitoes.
Research Findings on Light and Mosquito Attraction
Controlled studies have tested how mosquitoes respond to different lighting conditions and corroborate that not all colors deter mosquitoes equally. Here are some key research findings:
| Study | Methods | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Burkett et al. 2001 | Observed mosquito attraction to different wavelength LED lights in a dark flight tunnel | Mosquitoes were most attracted to blue-green and least attracted to red and infrared light |
| Bentley et al. 2009 | Counted mosquitoes attracted to tents lit inside with different LED colors | Tents with blue, purple, black, and white lights attracted the most mosquitoes |
| Hoel et al. 2011 | Tracked mosquito landings on human arms lit by electrode tubes emitting different spectra | Mosquito landings decreased up to 94% on arms lit with green and yellow light |
Using Light to Repel Mosquitoes
Based on what we know about mosquito vision, the following tactics using light can make an outdoor area less attractive to them:
- Avoid blue and white lights – Choose yellow, orange, or red bulbs for lighting fixtures around patios, gardens, or campsites.
- Use red LED strips – Outline trees, seating areas, or boundaries with long wavelength red LED lights.
- Install UV lamps – Place UV “bug zapper” style lights away from living areas to attract mosquitoes without harming other insects.
- Reduce white lighting – Turn off overhead lights or install motion detector switches to avoid brightly lit areas at night.
- Eliminate reflective surfaces – Remove or paint white or metallic garden fixtures that can reflect light to attract mosquitoes.
Other Methods for Deterring Mosquitoes
Colored lighting should be used along with other strategies as part of an integrated mosquito management plan. Additional ways to make your yard less hospitable to mosquitoes include:
- Avoid still water sites – Drain or change water frequently in fountains, kiddie pools, birdbaths, etc. where mosquitoes breed.
- Maintain landscaping – Trim overgrown vegetation and shrubs where adult mosquitoes take refuge.
- Use oscillating fans – Mosquitoes have trouble flying against air currents and fans can disrupt their ability to land and bite.
- Wear protective clothing – Cover exposed skin with loose, long sleeved tops and pants to avoid bites when outside.
Conclusion
Mosquitoes rely on vision to detect hosts and are deterred by certain wavelengths of light. Studies show that green, yellow, orange, red, and UV lighting decreases mosquito activity significantly compared to white and blue light. By installing red or amber LED lights and removing unnecessary white lighting, you can make your yard or patio far less appealing to these biting pests. Pair strategic lighting with other tactics to create an outdoor space where you can enjoy the evening mosquito-free.
