You’ve probably already read up on how to get rid of mosquitoes in your home. If so, then you should know that these infamous insects are attracted to a light source, but they don’t like just any kind of light.
Some colors of light are preferred over others. In that case, you may pay more attention to what kind of lighting you have in your house as it plays a big role when it comes to repelling or attracting mosquitoes.
Keep reading to learn more about why mosquitoes are attracted to light and what color light they are attracted to.
Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted To Light?
Mosquitoes, just like other flying insects, are at times ‘attracted’ to light, i.e. positive phototaxis, which in other terms is a kind of directional movement of an organism toward a light source. This is their way to most efficiently receive light for photosynthesis. So that might be when they orient themselves toward a window or door to leave a room to get the sunlight outside.
Also, mosquitoes do not have good eyesight, they’re practically blind. That’s why they need light, which helps them hunt.
In general, insects such as mosquitoes that are active at night use moonlight as a point source navigation aid. A porch light or a street lamp, or even a candle flame, makes them confused, and they tend to spiral in toward this artificial point light source.
Are Mosquitoes Attracted To UV Light?
All light sources emit some level of ultraviolet light (UV). UV light is generally not visible to the human eye, but a portion can be found slightly to the right of detectable light on the electromagnetic spectrum. However, all flying insects actively search out UV light, mistaking it for the rays of the sun.
That being said, the mosquitoes are no more attracted to UV light than they are to ordinary artificial sources of light.
According to research, mosquitoes that bite during the day, especially females that need a fresh blood supply to feed their fertilized eggs, are drawn to light during the day, regardless of spectrum. On the other hand, night-biting mosquitoes particularly avoid blue and UV light during the day.
What Color Light Does And Does Not Attract Mosquitoes?
We realize that mosquitoes are pulled in to light but they are not attracted to every color of light.
Artificial light sources don’t appeal to them much. Yellow lights actually deter mosquitoes since they find them unpleasant. Therefore, bulbs or cylinders that have a slight yellow tint are shown to draw in fewer mosquitoes than white-conditioned or blueish lights. Yellow lights are worth trying as they do not attract mosquitoes as much as regular white lights. Yellow might be also a good option as it doesn’t attract other types of non-biting bugs that prey on mosquitoes, either.
However, yellow lighting is not something many of us like in our homes as the illumination seems a bit dull. But if you use yellow-hued light bulbs on the porch or balcony, and in front of the entrance, it can be advantageous and will ensure that overall smaller numbers of mosquitoes will fly toward your home after the sun goes down.
Alternatively, purple, pink, blue, or green light colors don’t seem to attract that many mosquitoes as well. This is because these insects are targeting a victim to bite, which is typically a large mammal that is composed only of different tan or brownish shades that are a mix of various orange and red colors, and not greens or blues.
Also, the dark red and orange color is associated with the smell of CO2 from a mammal’s breath, which is why mosquitoes are attracted to these colors, particularly if they are actively hunting. Therefore, light bulb colors without the orange or red glow are thought to be least favored by mosquitoes.
If you have noticed that there are a lot of mosquitoes present on your property and you are constantly getting bitten, call our team at Peachtree Pest Control in Atlanta, GA.
Our trained and experienced technicians can help you as they use the latest methods and tools required to control mosquito infestations and keep these annoying bugs away from your home for good! Contact us today for a free consultation and we will offer you the most effective solution for your mosquito problem.