How to Get Rid of Bugs Around the Lights?
Think of a place where there are no bugs.
You are most probably not going to find any – well, except Antarctica, that is.
There’s no place on Earth where there’s a dearth of bugs, you are most probably going to see them a whole lot more, especially, after it rains. A most common problem, this is – after rain, a swarm of bugs hoarding the lights.
And this is where the issue starts – these bugs affect the lights and this, in turn, damages the functions of the lights. Not to forget, they pesky intruders also dirty up your compounds.
But then again, it’s not the fault of the bugs. It’s the light that attracts them.
So, that means, you need to change your strategy.
1. Consider using yellow bulbs
Turn to yellow bulbs – they are not bright as compared to white bulbs. It will help you win your war against the bugs invading your peace.
Light is divided into numerous wavelengths. The yellow bulbs take advantage of the difference between human and insect eyes, as many bugs find it hard to perceive light with a lower color temperature.
Yellow bulbs repel bugs as it shifts the color temperature of the light lower to such a point where it’s not visible to the bugs, and the bugs, even if they come close to the yellow bulbs unknowingly, they will simply pass by as the light is invisible to their eyes.
2. Use outdoor ceiling fan
Usually, fans are installed inside a home to keep the room cool. Consider using a ceiling fan that oscillates outdoors – it will keep the environment cool and neat.
Most important, the fan will oscillate the pesky bugs away. In some cases, bugs invade your home because of other factors such as odor or say food particles. The fan will help to blow away the door and the particles leaving your space insect-free.
3. Drain the standing water
Most bugs come from moist areas, such as water spots. Even if there’s no rain, and there’s a water spot near your home, it’s certain that bugs will not be far behind.
The bugs may not disturb you at first, but know that these water spot(s) will be a home and a breeding place for the bugs. You probably guessed, what happens next, right?
Drain all of the unnecessary water spots in your home, if you want to get rid of the bugs.
If you have pools, birdbaths, fountains, or other such water features in your home, add natural predators – they will eat up the bug larvae that are found in the water to control vectors.
If you have birdbaths, then, you have to clean them up frequently to stop the growth of bacteria. Besides, birdbaths often end up as a source of food and breeding ground for bugs as it’s a source of stagnant water plus, they can easily access it.
4. Use citronella candles
Consider using citronella candles – they will repel the bugs.
That’s because citronella masks the scents that attract the bugs, and thus, these bugs find it hard to locate their target to feed.
If the bugs hang on your light, you can use citronella candles – place them on your porch and burn them – to repel away from the bugs from your light, especially, if they hang on them.
5. Make use of garlic
You can also make use of garlic to repel away from the bugs in your outdoor light fixtures.
And the best part is that you can use garlic on most light fixtures directly.
Take 1 tablespoon of garlic juice and mix it with 6 tablespoons of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle, and spray the solution on the light cover directly.
Make sure that the solution doesn’t reach the actual light bulb or the socket, it can pose an electrical hazard. Also, watch out for power outlets.
What you should do is to cover the actual light guard in garlic solution. This will keep the bugs away for some time, however, you may have to reapply if you notice bugs starting away towards the light again.
6. Plant marigolds
Many are of the opinion that marigolds repel bugs. Apparently, marigolds have a pungent smell that doesn’t suit the bugs.
Plus, the roots of the marigold plant produced toxic chemicals that kill root-knot nematodes and other such nematodes that feed on plant roots.
It’s a win-win situation.
7. Make use of a false light
You can also make use of a false light to draw the bugs away from your outdoor light fixtures.
Set up a bright spotlight or a mounted light, a few distances away from your windows, doors, and porch. The bugs will be drawn to that bright source of light, rather than the lights that are situated close to your space.
This bright light then acts as a false bright light that will act as a false bait that will keep the bugs out. Few bugs near your home mean few bugs in your outdoor light fixtures. If you want to go the green-way, you can opt for a solar-powered light source.
8. Consider removing organic matter
If you have organic matter around your patio lights, make sure to remove all of them.
Yes, this means, pruning the leaves, removing the litter and clutter, and taking care of any foliage that falls to the floor – that’s because many of the bugs feed on compost, fallen debris, grass clippings, and other such foliage.
Such foliage acts as breeding grounds for the bugs, and if they are close to your outdoor light fixtures, then, it will come as no wonder if they emerge from their eggs and are drawn to your lights.
9. Clean up your yard
Have any recyclables or receptacles around your outdoor light fixtures? Well, you have to clean them up.
Practice good yard maintenance and it will go a long way in keeping your yard free from bugs and bugs alike.
10. Use pungent spices
You can also place pungent spices near your light fixtures – take a few coffee filters or a few pieces of cheesecloth and fill them with pungent herbs and spices such as the bay leaf, citrus zest, cinnamon, or nutmeg.
Hang the bundles around your outdoor light fixtures or in less visible places, say, under the roof’s eaves or behind a potted plant. If there are any bugs in the vicinity, they will catch a whiff and will avoid coming to the area any closer. One caveat – you have to replace the spice pouches every few days as they begin to lose potency in a few days.
