Do Christmas Lights Attract Bugs? What Homeowners Should Know This Holiday Season
It’s no secret that bugs are attracted to lights. Turn on your porch light on any spring, summer, or fall night, and some sort of critter is sure to drift toward it.
Although you can take measures to ward off moths and mosquitoes from swarming lights on your property during the other seasons, this time of year is a little different. It feels “cold” here in Alabama to people who grew up here, but it’s undoubtedly still warm enough, even in the dead of winter, to not “kill off” more resilient bugs.
So, you might wonder: Do Christmas lights attract bugs? What kind of lights should you get that won’t attract flying pests?
Keep reading—our integrative pest control experts are here to guide you in exploring the answers to these questions and more.
Do Christmas Lights Attract Bugs? There’s Good News and Bad News
The good news is that there are fewer bugs out and about now than at any other time of the year. Although frigid temperatures make you shiver, they’re your ally as a homeowner in the fight against invasive pests.
Most bugs that would be drawn to your holiday lights are currently hiding away, hunkered down for the winter in torpor (a temporary state of energy-conserving low-activity that’s similar to hibernation).
The bad news is that, unfortunately, a few bugs still linger, and some may even be lurking around your home.
LED: The Best Bug-Free Bet
Broadly speaking, bugs will swarm to a brightly decorated home. However, recent studies show that, although LED lights aren’t “bug-proof,” per se, they are the best holiday light option for homeowners due to the low UV levels they emit. These low UV emissions attract fewer bugs.
So, will LED lights be completely bug-resistant? No! Still, they are your safest bet when selecting what kind of lights to string up.
The Warmer the Light Color, the Better
The warmth of your outdoor holiday lights can significantly impact the number of bugs attracted to them. After all, haven’t you ever wondered why the vast majority of anti-bug lights are yellow? Research shows that insects are more drawn to cooler-toned lights than warmer ones. In fact, one study showed that 70% of insects preferred flying, crawling, or looking at lights at the blue end of the spectrum.
When selecting lights to hang, opt for yellow, gold, or red LED options. Evidently, the classic holiday look is the most effective for bug prevention.
Be Careful with Your Christmas Tree
Christmas trees are one big bug fiasco on their own. They can carry bugs into your home from the tree farm, be an appealing food source for some bugs, and provide a perfect new holiday getaway spot for any bugs already hiding in your home.
You should also avoid hanging decorations made of food or candy on it, as these act as natural bug enticers—especially if you get a real tree.
As always, the best method for household insect prevention in the holiday season is to have preventative pest control treatment for your home.
We’re Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc. (not Vulcan Holiday Home Decor Specialists), so we don’t claim to know everything about decking the halls, but we sure know a heck of a lot about bugs—and how to get rid of them! You have enough to worry about during the holidays. Don’t let bugs in your home be another concern. Contact Vulcan Termite today!