If you are the kind of person who backs away in fear at the mere sight of a spider, it makes sense to want to know even the tiniest details about these creatures. After all, you want to avoid anything that may bring you closer to these arachnids.
And yes, we hear these stories everywhere – that spiders are pretty fond of LED lights, and they are not afraid to show it. But just how true is that?
Well, if that’s what you want to know, this article has all your needs in mind. Here, we will once and for all be clearing the air about spiders and LED lights. So yes, keep reading to discover everything there is to know about spiders and their attraction (or lack thereof) to LED lights.
Do LED Lights Attract Spiders?
Yes, LED light attracts spiders but indirectly. Spiders are more attracted to the light given off by LED lights because it attracts the insects that spiders feed on. While spiders may not be drawn to LED lights specifically, they will take advantage of the fact that other insects are.
In other words, whether you answer a yes or no to the question, “Do LED lights attract spiders?” it all comes down to a matter of perspective.
Technically speaking, spiders are not interested in the light itself but in what it attracts. And what the light attracts are the bugs that spiders consider a good meal. In other words, you can say that spiders are indirectly attracted to LED lights.
To bring you into perspective, you can think of spiders getting attracted to LED lights for the same reason people are attracted to a television or computer screen when it’s turned on; there’s simply more activity going on there.
Why Are Spiders Attracted To LED Lights?
Spiders are attracted to LED lights because the light is a great attraction for their prey, just as earlier said. Without the prey, spiders will have no real reason to stick around any LED light source.
You see, spiders themselves prefer darkness over light. Unlike most insects attracted to LED light, spiders are nocturnal creatures, which means they do most of their hunting and web-spinning at night.
So if you see a spider during the day or in the LED light, then know there’s something that’s making them gravitate towards it other than the light itself.
And yes, we’ve repeatedly said that this “something” is food.
Spiders are predators that primarily eat insects – and unfortunately for us who fear these arachnids, LED lights tend to attract a lot of these insects, making hunting relatively easy for them.
So yes, the moths, flies, butterflies, mosquitoes, and other tiny insects that are naturally attracted to LED lights are, in the real sense, the reason you will see spiders in your LED lights.
What Color Attracts Spiders The Most?
The color that attracts spiders the most is the same color that will draw most of their prey; the UV side of the spectrum. So yes, you can expect blue LEDs to attract the most bugs of any other color, inviting more spiders into your space.
Bugs love shorter wavelengths, that is, blue, green, and UV. These colors are more visible to bugs and will attract a more significant number than the longer wavelengths, that is, yellow, orange, and red.
While LEDs produce very little UV light, it’s still possible for these lights to attract bugs, the reason why they are flying about your LED light in the first place. Most LEDs emit bluish-white or cool white color, which serves as an invitation to most bugs.
So yes, provided that the color of your LED light leans on the UV side of the spectrum, you can always expect to see bugs (and spiders) sneak into your space.
But again, it’s worth mentioning that not everything about LEDs insects love. A case in point is the amount of heat the light emits.
You see, LEDs don’t produce a lot of heat like incandescent bulbs, and this lack of heat means that there’s no thermal gradient for the bugs to follow.
Even so, we still can’t ignore the fact that LEDs serve as a great source of light and attraction for bugs, which will attract spiders.
How To Keep Spiders Away From LED Lights?
You can keep spiders away by ensuring minimal activity around your LED lights. That means no bugs should be flying or crawling around the area. Minus the bugs, you shouldn’t see any spiders near your LED lights.
They say, “kill the dog, and all the rabies is gone,” and that’s pretty much what you have to do to keep spiders away from your LED lights.
As long as there are no bugs around, you can be sure that there won’t be any spiders – at least not near your LED. So the question now is, how do you keep bugs away from your LED lights?
Here are a few ideas:
- Use yellow or sodium vapor lights instead of LEDs
- Install screens on your doors and windows
- Keep the grass and bushes around your home trim
- Use a bug zapper near your LED lights
- Keep LEDs off when not in use.
- Use vinegar or essential oils to repel bugs
- Use plants that repel insects
- Keep your trash cans sealed
With these ideas, you should be able to keep most, if not all, bugs away from your LED lights, and as a result, keep spiders at bay.
Do LED Lights Attract Silverfish?
No, just like spiders, silverfish have a nocturnal lifestyle, so they are most active in the dark. Hence, silverfishes are more likely to get attracted to low-light areas of the home like basements and garages than well-lit spaces.
Now, before I proceed, I beg to first make something clear for the sake of the uninitiated. When we say “silverfish,” we don’t necessarily mean that it’s a type of fish. Silverfish is actually a type of wingless insect often found in houses.
These insects are shaped like silver fish and are covered in shiny scales that give them a silvery sheen, which explains why they are called silverfish.
While these scary, ugly-looking creatures aren’t harmful to humans and don’t carry diseases, their propensity to invade homes in large numbers often freaks people out.
Silverfish so much love sugary and starchy stuff, which homes offer in plenty, especially from table crumbs. So if you have a severe silverfish problem in your home, chances are there’s an abundance of food that these pests can munch on.
But again, their coming isn’t all about homes affording them their best delicacy. There’s much more about homes that tend to attract these unwelcome guests. And yes, a case in point is the home environment.
Silverfishes prefer humid environments, and since houses are often warmer and more humid than the outdoors, it’s no surprise that these insects would rather stay indoors.
Even so, unlike other bugs that you’ll see flying near the light, silverfishes prefer to stay away from the light. Actually, they hide so much from it that it’s possible to live with several of these insects without ever seeing them.
In most cases, you will only see silverfish when they come out to feed at night or accidentally fall into a well-lit area.
So to answer the question, Do LED lights attract silverfish? No, they don’t. Actually, since they don’t like light, it would be better to say that LEDs actually help get rid of these pests.
How To Prevent Spiders From Coming To My Home?
You can prevent spiders from coming into your home by regularly cleaning and decluttering, sealing up any cracks and openings, and using natural repellents.
Spiders are some of the most common pests people have to fight off their homes. Not just are they creepy and dangerous, but they can also be stubborn to get rid of once they’ve taken up residence in your home.
Sure, as earlier said, it’s possible to get rid of spiders by eliminating their food sources. However, sometimes it doesn’t take other bugs to invite spiders into your home. As such, it’s also worth getting to know what usually attracts these eight-legged creatures in the first place.
That way, you can put preventive measures in place to make your home less attractive to them and, as a result, keep them out for good.
So without further ado, here are some of the things that usually attract spiders into homes;
- Clutter and debris
- Cobwebs
- Dark and damp places
- Water
- Openings and cracks
The list doesn’t end there. However, these are the main things that make your home attractive to spiders, of course besides being a reliable source of food.
Now, to get rid of spiders, there are a few things you can use. They include;
- Eucalyptus oil
- Citrus peels
- DIY spider repellent
- Peppermint oil
- White vinegar
- Tea tree oil
All of these will repel spiders. In fact, some like white vinegar may even kill some existing spiders and dissolve their cobwebs when used in suitable concentrations.
But ultimately, always ensure that you keep your space looking neat and free from clutter. That’s one of the surefire ways to avoid spiders and other insects such as cockroaches and pests like rats.
Final Verdict: Do LED lights attract spiders?
To some extent, LEDs will contribute to the growing population of spiders in your home. However, if you have a spider problem, it’s technically not because of your lights.
More likely, the source of your spider infestation is another issue, such as other insects, clutter, or cracks and openings in your home. But fortunately, you can get rid of spiders by taking preventive measures, such as controlling the food source, decluttering your space, and using natural repellents.