Choosing the right light bulbs for outdoor lighting is crucial to creating an inviting space free of annoying and potentially dangerous insect infestations. The type of light, brightness, and wavelength of light all impact how attractive the light is to bugs. With the variety of bulbs on the market, it can be challenging to pick the ideal options for bug control. This guide examines the pros and cons of different bulb types for deterring insects so you can make the best choice for your needs.
How Lighting Attracts Bugs
To understand how to prevent bugs from swarming your outdoor lights, it helps to know why they are drawn to different types of bulbs in the first place. There are a few key reasons lighting tends to attract insects:
- UV light attracts bugs – Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye but visible to many insects. Light bulbs that emit UV rays will draw bugs to them.
- Bright bulbs attract bugs – Bulbs that are very intense or bright tend to attract more bugs. Bright light confuses their navigation systems and draws them in.
- Warmer color temperatures attract bugs – Bulbs that emit warmer light around 3000K to 4000K are more attractive to insects than cooler light temperatures.
- CO2 emitted by bulbs attracts bugs – Light bulbs give off small amounts of carbon dioxide which attract insects.
- Heat from bulbs attracts bugs – Heat radiation from bulbs attracts many flying insects to them as a warmth source.
With these reasons in mind, choosing bulbs that avoid UV light, are less bright, emit cooler light temperatures, produce minimal CO2, and don’t radiate excessive warmth can all help deter insect activity. Next, we’ll look at specific bulb types and how they rank for keeping bugs away.
Incandescent Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are one of the worst options when it comes to deterring bugs. Here are some of the main issues with old-fashioned incandescent bulbs:
- Emit UV light which attracts insects
- Operate at warm color temperatures appealing to bugs (2700K-3000K)
- Generate a good amount of heat which draws in insects
- Give off CO2 attractive to mosquitos and other flying bugs
- Typically bright bulbs which confuse insect navigation
While inexpensive to buy, incandescent bulbs are energy hogs, producing a great deal of waste heat and UV radiation. The biggest takeaway is that their warm light makes them a bug magnet. Steer clear of incandescents for outdoor lighting in bug-prone areas.
CFL Bulbs
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are more energy efficient than old incandescent bulbs. However, they have some drawbacks for deterring insects:
- Produce some UV radiation attractive to bugs
- Emit light in cooler but still warm color temperatures (2700K-3000K)
- Generate less heat than incandescents but still notable warmth
While an improvement over incandescent bulbs, the UV light and warm color temperatures mean CFLs will still draw in insects. The small amount of mercury contained in CFLs also makes them hazardous if they break.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs are similar to regular incandescents but with some differences:
- Very bright, intense light confuses flying insects
- Operate at hotter temperatures than regular incandescents
- Still emit UV radiation attracting bugs
- Warm color light around 3000K appeals to insects
Halogen bulbs can produce crisp, bright light, but their hot temperature and UV output make them insect magnets. They are not eco-friendly either due to high energy usage for the amount of light produced.
LED Bulbs
LED bulbs offer big advantages when it comes to deterring insects:
- No UV light emissions
- Long lifespan with low energy use
- Operate at cooler temperatures than other bulbs
- Come in a wide range of color temperatures
- Dimmable to control brightness and limit bug attraction
- Directional light minimizes light pollution and glare
With no UV light and options for cooler color temperatures, LEDs are far less appealing to bugs. Dimmable LEDs allow you to lower light levels at night when insects are most active. Just avoid extremely bright LEDs which can still confuse bugs. Look for color temperatures starting at 3500K and higher for optimal bug deterrence.
Yellow “Bug Light” Bulbs
“Bug light” bulbs have a yellow coating that filters out UV rays. They are designed to be less attractive to insects than regular bulbs. Advantages of yellow bug lights include:
- Minimal UV emissions
- Warmer 3000K color temperature less appealing to bugs
- Less attractive to all flying insects
- Good for locations near woods, water, or vegetation
While yellow bug lights are an upgrade from clear bulbs, they don’t offer as many bug-deterring benefits as LEDs. Their yellow light also provides less ideal illumination for outdoor spaces. But they can be a good inexpensive alternative to standard bulbs.
Sodium Vapor Bulbs
Sodium vapor bulbs operate differently than other bulb types. Key factors regarding bugs:
- Emit minimal UV radiation
- Don’t give off CO2 attractive to mosquitos
- Provide yellow-orange monochromatic light
- Less appealing to most flying and crawling insects
- Can have exceptionally long lifespans
Their minimal UV emissions and monochromatic light make sodium vapor bulbs one of the better choices for deterring bugs. Their energy efficiency and long lifespan also add to their practicality. The biggest downside is that their orange hue distorts color at night.
Mercury Vapor Bulbs
Closely related to sodium vapor bulbs, mercury vapor bulbs have some overlap plus a few distinct properties:
- Give off a moderate amount of UV radiation
- Emit a bluish-green light that bugs find less attractive
- High intensity light can still draw in insects
- More energy efficient than incandescents and CFLs
- Contain toxic mercury making them hazardous if broken
Overall, mercury vapor bulbs are a middle-of-the-road option for deterring insects. Their UV emissions and potential brightness mean they still attract bugs. But their less appealing light color makes them an upgrade from warmer bulbs. The mercury content makes proper disposal important.
Low Pressure Sodium Bulbs
A subtype of sodium vapor bulbs, low pressure sodium bulbs offer these attributes:
- Almost no UV light emissions
- Orange monochromatic light unappealing to bugs
- Very energy efficient and long lasting
- Minimal light pollution from orange glow
- Mimics natural sunset and sunrise light
Low pressure sodium bulbs are excellent for deterring insects while providing efficient area lighting. Their limited light spectrum can make them less ideal for illuminating detail. But for general outdoor lighting with bug control, they are a top choice.
Factors in Picking Bug-Deterring Outdoor Bulbs
When selecting the best bulbs for repelling insects in your yard, deck, or patio, keep these key tips in mind:
- Avoid bulbs with high UV emissions – This is the number one factor for attracting nighttime flying insects.
- Look for cooler color temperatures – Bulbs in the 5000K-6500K range will be less enticing to bugs than warmer 3000K lighting.
- Reduce unnecessary brightness – super bright bulbs confuse bugs more. Dimmable smart bulbs allow adjusting brightness.
- Choose directional bulbs – Bulbs that focus light in a spot or flood pattern minimize light pollution that draws in insects from a wider area.
- Look for energy efficient long-lasting bulbs – LEDs, sodium, and low pressure sodium bulbs will save on energy and replacement costs.
- Select shatter-resistant bulbs – For bulbs mounted out of reach, pick durable plastic or shatter-proof glass options.
Taking these guidelines into account when shopping bulbs for your exterior lighting needs will allow you to illuminate spaces while providing maximum bug resistance.
Top Bulb Recommendations for Deterring Bugs
Based on their performance across the factors that attract and repel insects, here are our top recommended outdoor bulb options:
| Bulb Type | Our Rating | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Cool White LED | 4.5 / 5 | No UV light, emit cooler light temperatures, energy efficient, long lasting, dimmable |
| Yellow Bug Light | 3.5 / 5 | Filters out some UV light, yellow light less attractive to bugs, inexpensive option |
| Low Pressure Sodium | 4 / 5 | Minimal UV emissions, orange light deters bugs, highly energy efficient, long lifespan |
| Sodium Vapor | 3.5 / 5 | Low UV emissions, yellow-orange hue doesn’t attract bugs, energy saver, can last up to 4 years |
For the best all-around outdoor lighting with insect deterrence, we recommend cool white LED bulbs. Their lack of UV radiation, cooler color temperatures, adjustability, and efficiency make them ideal for repelling bugs in any area. Sodium and yellow bug bulbs are also solid choices for bug light control on a budget.
Conclusion
Choosing lighting that repels rather than attracts insects requires understanding what draws bugs to different types of bulbs. Features like UV emissions, color temperature, brightness, and heat generation all impact how appealing bulbs are to flying and crawling insects. LEDs, yellow bug lights, and sodium vapor offer the most benefits for deterring bugs in outdoor spaces. Consider the pros and cons of each bulb type and look for options designed specifically to dissuade insect activity. With the right bulbs illuminating your exterior areas, you can enjoy long summer nights bug-free outdoors.