It can be quite unpleasant to have a swarm of insects ruin your summer vacation enjoyment. To tackle this problem, many garden and outdoor designers now consider incorporating bug lamps in their designs. But what exactly are bug light bulbs, and how do they work? In this blog, we'll provide detailed information about this solution. Keep reading to find out more.
A bug light bulb is a yellow bulb that provides an effective solution to repel various bugs. Additionally, this type of light bulb can also serve as a decorative element, adding aesthetic appeal to its practical functionality.
In general, the color temperature and light wavelength have an inverse relationship: as wavelengths get longer, the colors become warmer. The lowest color temperatures are in the red and yellow spectrum. So, if you wonder what color light bulbs repel the bugs more effectively, try a yellow bulb! When a light bulb gets colored yellow, the bulb’s color temperature immediately decreases. That makes it harder for insects to see the light.
That's how bug lights work: creating wavelengths that aren't detectable by their vision.
Note: A bug light won't solve every problem. Some insects are naturally attracted to the yellow light wavelength, which means some will still fly toward the source.
The attractiveness of light to insects is influenced by the wavelength they can detect due to their eye structure. Insects have difficulty perceiving longer light wavelengths, such as yellow, orange, and red. As a result, blue bulbs, which emit shorter wavelengths, tend to be more appealing to bugs. Therefore, blue bulbs attract insects more effectively than yellow bulbs, given their unique eye sensitivities.
In reality, bugs can perceive a portion of UV light that is not visible to humans (within the 300-400 nm range). So, the lighting fixture that emits UV light will attract more bugs than the one that doesn't.
Incandescent bulbs emit UV light, whereas LED light bulbs emit minimal or no UV light. As a result, bugs are more attracted to incandescent bulbs.
Note: For more information on the relationship between color temperature and light color, refer to the chart below.
| LED Color Temperature | Temperature Scale | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight Temperature | 5,000K to 6,000K | Provides crisp white light. Suitable for indoor general settings such as home offices, garages, and workshops. Also used for outdoor lighting but does not function as a bug light. |
| Natural Temperature | 3,500K to 4,500K | Mimics natural sunlight. Good for most residential spaces, especially areas lacking natural light. Still attracts insects due to wavelength range. |
| Warm Temperature | 2,700K to 3,500K | Produces a yellow, relaxing atmosphere. Great for most outdoor and indoor applications. Attracts fewer insects. |
| Amber Temperature | 2,200K and Under | Best for bug lights. Produces soft, cozy illumination with orange tones similar to a fireplace. Comfortable for nearly any setting. |
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