LED lights an bugs

[outofhere]

We would like to install LED lighting under our awning but I am wondering if they attract bugs such as mosquito and moths Thanks

[Tex1961]

Did a quick internet search and the short answer is yes.

[Camper_bob]

Yup!

Went to the lake a while back, wondered what that running water sound was, couldn't find water running anywhere. Looked down and it looked like the pavement was moving there were so many bugs. I cut the light off (factory installed LED strip on the side of the trailer) they were all gone in a matter of minutes. Off to find someone else's light!

[skidoorider]

What if you turned it to strictly yellow ???

[Bobx2]

Originally Posted by skidoorider

What if you turned it to strictly yellow ???

That may help a little, but the amber lense on my porch light seemed to have no trouble attracting plenty of bugs.

[fmichaels]

... sounded like running water? think I'll put that mod in the "later" pile.

[Camper_bob]

Amber color may help just a little, but if there are a lot of bugs, it wont help much.

That factory installed strip is just so bleeding bright, it can't help but attract all the bugs. If you're installing one, put a dimmer and a color control in the circuit and that will help. I'm installing a dimmer in my factory circuit next week before our season opener.

I believe that situation was unique with all the bugs, I had the brightest light in the area and it was their breeding time or something... but I bet the fish were happy!

[Jagiven]

I do not know if it is true or not, but I have heard the opposite. How it was explained to me is that leds produce less heat so the bugs are not as attracted to them as incandescent. Also it has to do with the wave length of light.

I was hoping to do a test this past summer. I was thinking of trying a gas or candle lantern, then take an electric lantern with an incandescent bulb in it, then swap out the bulb with a comparable led. Then see if I notice any noticeable change in bugs. I also thought of trying the same test but all at one time with the lights setup in different areas of the campsite.

[clubhouse]

I have a couple battery powered lanterns from the tent camping days. The one fluorescent bulbs attracted every flying bug from all corners of the campground, while the LED lantern really didn't noticeable attract bugs. It's why bug zappers have fluorescent lights.

I don't have awning LED light strip, but I did change my porch light to LED and it hasn't been an issue either.

[edatlanta]

Bug lights have to produce a very specific wavelength of yellow light that most bugs can't see. I said most bugs. Even properly designed bug lights won' eliminate all bugs because each species is slightly different.

[fmichaels]

Ordered strip LEDs yesterday along with power supply and dimmer. I'll post back once installed. I live in PA and the weather has recently changed to full out spring so the bugs will be out in time to test the new lights.

[mrp116]

I have the factory installed LED light strip installed under our awning, and it definitely attracts bugs. Last year, when camping with my brother-in-law, who's camper doesn't have the LED lights, we had just as many bugs under our awning as his did.

[chriscowles]

Put a white light a short distance away from the awning as bait.

[outofhere]

Thanks to all. Will look into something else

[outofhere]

Thanks to all. Will try something else.

[Grumpy]

I installed a strip on our awning, had it on purple while in FL and we didn't have any bugs.???

[Camper_bob]

Apparently red will not attract bugs. Added bonus: it won't wreck your night vision.