Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Light?

Many things can attract mosquitoes to you and your home. It’s important to know what these bugs are attracted to if you want to avoid them. While some pests are attracted to light, others are repelled by it. Check out if lights could be luring mosquitoes to your space.

Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Light?

Mosquitoes aren’t attracted or repelled by light. During the day, night-biting mosquitoes avoid light and head into quiet, shady areas. They’re most active in the early morning and in the evenings when sunlight is low. These pests use natural light, like the sun and moon, to navigate. The light’s position tells them how to angle themselves. Artificial lights can disorient mosquitoes and take them off their intended course. These lights are closer to mosquitoes, which makes it difficult for them to maintain a good angle in relation to the light.

Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Ultraviolet Light?

Like other light sources, mosquitoes aren’t attracted to ultraviolet light. They will try to use ultraviolet light to navigate. Most bug zappers using ultraviolet light are killing other flying insects, not mosquitoes. Traps utilizing carbon dioxide are more effective than bug lights. 

Do Yellow and Red Lights Repel Mosquitoes?

Red and yellow lights don’t actually repel mosquitoes and other bugs. However, they do attract fewer bugs. Yellow lights have a lower color temperature, which makes it harder for bugs to see it. This means yellow light bulbs can make you less visible to mosquitoes. Blue and green lights are easier for mosquitoes to perceive.

Colors That Attract Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes don’t perceive color the way we do. However, colors can affect whether or not mosquitoes bug you. Darker colors absorb light and retain heat, which makes mosquitoes more attracted to you. Lighter colors reflect light away from you and keep you cooler. If you’re heading outside, wearing lighter colors can help you avoid mosquitoes.

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

While light isn’t an attractant of mosquitoes, there are things that will lure them to you and your home. Check out what attracts these pests.   

• Standing Water: Female mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. Clogged gutters, leaky pipes, and items filled with water can attract mosquitoes.
• Carbon Dioxide: Mosquitoes can detect the carbon dioxide you release when breathing. This helps them find you and their next meal.
• Strong Fragrances: These pests are attracted to strong fragrances. When spending time outside, it’s best to choose scent-free hygiene products.
• Overgrown Vegetation: Mosquitoes like to hide in cool, shady spots on a hot summer day. Tall grass, dense vegetation, and overgrown plants provide them with places to live.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

Removing mosquito attractants is the first step to controlling mosquitoes. Minimize moisture build-up and keep your yard free of clutter. Plant-based insecticide sprays can help keep these bugs away. Spray your lawn with our Mosquito & Tick Killer to create a protective barrier. It kills mosquitoes and provides residual repellency. Our Mosquito Fogger and Flying Insect Killer can help spot treat these pesky pests. You can also use a bug spray like our Natural Insect Repellent. It repels mosquitoes, ticks, and flies.

Light may not attract mosquitoes, but other things can. It’s important to make your space as unwelcoming as possible to these pests. If you’re dealing with mosquitoes or other bugs, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.