Light Management | Vol. 3, No. 27

Heavy accumulations of insects around the outsides of buildings can cause problems for both homeowners and business owners.  Not only is it annoying to have to deal with large numbers of insects on the outsides of buildings, on porches, patios, carports, garages, and around doorways, but insects that accumulate in such locations are much more likely to get inside.  Accumulations of insects around exterior lights also attract spiders and result in more spider webs, causing building exteriors to be unsightly and resulting in increased maintenance.
 
Most of the insects that accumulate around building exteriors are attracted by lights.  This is especially true for night-flying insects such as midge, Mayflies, May beetles, moths, crickets, and many others.  Buildings located near heavy bodies of water are especially prone to experience heavy flights of midge and Mayflies.
 
Light management, reducing the amount and/or attractiveness of exterior lighting around buildings, is the key to reducing accumulations of night-flying insects.  This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.  Here are a few examples:

• Limit the number and intensity (lumen output) of outdoor lights.
• Limit amount of time lights are on by using timers, motion detectors, or manually.
• Choose exterior lighting that produces wave lengths that are less attractive to insects: yellow incandescent yellow “bug lights,” yellow LED lights, and high-pressure sodium vapor lights.
• Shield exterior lights so light is directed down where it is needed rather than “out into the night,” where it can be seen by passing insects (see photo).
• Use lights mounted on poles 50+ feet away from building, but directed toward entrances and other areas that require lighting.  This lights the building but attracts insects away from the building.
• Keep window blinds/curtains closed at night to prevent interior light from escaping.
• When possible, select darker colors for building exteriors, which reflect less light.

Of course there are many good reasons to have exterior lights.  They provide safety, security, convenience, aesthetics, and advertising.  Fortunately there are ways for home and business owners to keep buildings adequately and safely lighted while also keeping the bugs away.

Blake Layton, Extension Entomology Specialist, Mississippi State University Extension Service.

The information given here is for educational purposes only.  Always read and follow current label directions. Specific commercial products are mentioned as examples only and reference to specific products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended to other products that may also be suitable and appropriately labeled.

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