Do Holiday Lights Attract Bugs?
It’s no secret that bugs are attracted to lights. Just look at any lit up bulb outside at night and see the swarms that will inevitably surround it. There are measures you can take to prevent this from happening in your yard or your porch, like getting lights that won’t attract bugs, but this time of year is a little different.
Are bugs attracted to your holiday lights? What kind of lights should you get that won’t attract flying pests? We’ll explore the answers to these questions and more below.
The Good News
To start with, there are fewer bugs out and about now than during the warmer seasons. The colder weather works to homeowners’ advantage. Most of the bugs that would be drawn to your holiday lights are hunkered down for the winter, so you won’t be able to impress them with your magnificently festive illuminatory display.
While most of the bugs are gone, a few are still lurking around your home.
LED: The Best Bug-free Bet
Where there is light, there most likely will be bugs. Broadly speaking, bugs will be drawn to a brightly decorated home. However, recent studies show that LED lights, while they aren’t bug proof per se, are the best option for homeowners because of the low UV levels they emit. These low UV emissions attract fewer bugs.
So, will LED lights be completely bug resistant? No. But, they are the safest bet for you when you’re selecting what kind of lights to string up.
The Warmer The Light Color, The Better
The color of your outdoor holiday lights can make a difference in how many bugs are attracted to them. Ever wondered why the vast majority of bug lights are yellow? Research shows that bugs are much more drawn to cooler colored lights than warmer ones. In fact, one study showed that 70% of insects went for lights that were at the blue end of the spectrum.
When you’re picking out which lights to hang, go for the yellow, gold, or red LED options. Turns out the classic look is the best 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 source of food for certain bugs to chew on, or be a perfect holiday getaway spot for the bugs already in your home.
You should also avoid hanging decorations made of food or candy on the tree as these act as natural bug enticers.
The best bug prevention you can do this holiday season is to have preventative pest control treatment for your home. We here at Vulcan Termite don’t pretend to know everything about decorating, 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!