Clustering insects around exterior lighting can turn a pleasant evening into a frustrating nuisance, creating safety concerns and discomfort. This aggregation is a consequence of the insects’ natural response to light, a phenomenon known as phototaxis. Managing this issue effectively means focusing solutions on the light source and its immediate surroundings. By making strategic changes to your outdoor lighting setup, you can reclaim your space and significantly reduce the nightly swarm.
Identifying the Insects Attracted to Light
The insects congregating around exterior lights are typically not true honeybees, which are primarily active during the day and rarely exhibit nocturnal phototaxis. The culprits are usually nocturnal species like moths, beetles, midges, and certain types of flies. The light can also attract aggressive insects like yellow jackets or nocturnal wasps that are drawn to the activity or seeking out smaller insects as a food source.
Identification is important because the behavior and aggression levels of these pests vary greatly. Wasps and yellow jackets are more aggressive and territorial, especially in late summer, and their presence near entryways can be a hazard. While smaller, non-stinging insects are mainly a nuisance, aggressive species may point to a nearby nest needing targeted intervention.
Adjusting Light Sources to Reduce Attraction
The most effective method for reducing insect attraction is altering the light itself. Flying insects navigate using natural light sources like the moon and are disoriented by artificial light. Insects are overwhelmingly attracted to shorter wavelengths, specifically in the ultraviolet (UV) and blue spectrums. These shorter wavelengths, often found in bright white or cool-toned bulbs, are highly visible to many insect species.
Switching to bulbs that emit longer wavelengths, such as yellow, amber, or warm-toned LEDs, can dramatically decrease attraction. Look for bulbs with a color temperature below 3000 Kelvin (K), which appear as “warm white” or yellowish, because they contain significantly less attractive blue light. Using motion sensors also ensures that lights are only illuminated when absolutely necessary, minimizing the window for insect attraction.
Reducing the overall intensity of the light is another effective adjustment. Using lower-wattage bulbs or employing dimmers on existing fixtures makes the light less appealing to nocturnal insects. Strategically directing light downward, rather than outward or upward, can also limit the visible area that draws in flying pests.
Physical Barriers and Targeted Deterrents
Implementing physical barriers prevents insects from directly accessing the light fixture and clustering at your doorway. Tight-fitting screens or fine mesh netting can be installed around the light housing to block access for moths and beetles. Using fully enclosed or dome-style fixtures also eliminates gaps and crevices where insects might build nests or seek shelter.
For aggressive insects like yellow jackets, strategically placed traps can redirect their attention away from the light source. These traps should be positioned a safe distance away from the area you wish to keep clear, drawing the pests to a less-frequented spot. Applying natural deterrents to the fixture’s housing can also make the area less inviting. A diluted spray of essential oils like peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus around the non-heated parts of the fixture can repel various pests.
When to Seek Professional Removal
DIY solutions are effective for managing general insect nuisance, but a large, persistent swarm may indicate a nearby established nest, particularly if the insects are aggressive species. Seek professional assistance if you observe a high volume of activity concentrated in one area, or if you identify a nest structure on or near your property. Nests that are difficult to access, such as those inside walls, attics, or chimneys, require specialized equipment and expertise for safe removal.
A professional should be consulted immediately if you identify a highly aggressive species or if anyone in the household has a known allergy to stings. For actual honeybee hives, professionals are required to perform specialized relocation rather than extermination due to the species’ importance as a pollinator. Attempting to remove a large or hidden nest of wasps or yellow jackets can agitate the colony, leading to dangerous defensive swarming that puts safety at risk.