What Color Light Repels Flying Bugs

Red which is at the far end of the spectrum is actually completely invisible to insects.

What color light repels flying bugs.

In general the longer lower the wavelength is the less likely a bug is to see the associated color. Incandescent bulbs brought in the largest insect haul averaging about eight per hour. Keeping the sitting areas and rv entrances illuminated in those wavelength colors such as yellows oranges and reds will help keep down the number of flying insects attracted to your site. Bulbs that emit more short wavelengths of light cool white bluish color will attract more bugs.

Looking at a light spectrum chart you ll notice that warmer colors like red orange and yellow have the lowest longest wavelengths. Like some birds they are out looking for a place to find a meal. This blue green color or haint blue is not only calming and aesthetically pleasing but also it apparently helps repel bugs. Colors that most bugs want to keep away from are green and even some blues.

Bright colors like yellow orange and blue can attract bees for their flower imitating properties. These colors also reflect light rather than absorbing it which could also attract flying bugs. Some paints can reflect light more brightly than others which can draw in more insects. Less attractive to bugs yellow incandescent high pressure sodium and regular incandescent light radiate less blue and ultraviolet light thus reducing the attraction of insects to the area.

Haint blue paint is reported to have been first used by african slaves to secure the entry of their homes from spirits. While no lighting will every repel biting insects studies do show some colors and light types will be more attractive than others. The brighter colors such as yellow and orange are the same as flowers. Heat can also draw bugs into an area.

According to the results by far the worst option for outdoor lighting was traditional incandescent bulbs while the best and least appealing to insects was a warm coloured led light those are the leds that produce a yellow orange hue rather than cool blue light. The bug lights and warm colored leds were roughly tied for least attractive at about 4 5.