Do LED Lights Attract Silverfish?

Do LED lights attract silverfish? It’s an interesting question as LED lighting is known to attract certain bugs and as these small, bug-like creatures can be found in homes all over the world, is your lighting inviting them in?

What are Silverfish?

Silverfish are small, wingless insects that are generally silver or gray in color. They get their name from their fish-like appearance and movements. Their origins seem prehistoric, so they are survivors, resilient and good at sustaining themselves.

These pests are typically found in damp areas of homes, such as basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. They feed on carbohydrates and proteins found in paper products, fabric, and dead insects.

Does LED Light Attract Bugs?

In general, yes. LED lights are known to attract flying bugs, including moths and mosquitoes. This is because LED lights emit a wavelength of light that is similar to the light emitted by the sun. This wavelength is in the ultraviolet (UV) range, which is invisible to the human eye but visible to insects.

This wavelength is attractive to bugs, which is why you may notice more bugs near an LED light than a traditional incandescent light bulb.

Does LED Light Attract Silverfish?

Do silverfish like light? The short answer is no.

Silverfish are nocturnal because the dark keeps them safe whilst exposed in wider spaces looking for food, so any form of artificial light repels a silverfish, not attract it.

Why Are Silverfish Attracted to LED lights?

This is a frequently asked question but there is no real anecdotal evidence that silverfish are specifically attracted to LED light, other than LED strip is often hidden in corners and recesses that are shared with the creatures that prefer such a habitat.

There is no scientific evidence either that silverfish are drawn to the wavelength of LED like other bugs.

How Do LED Lights attract Silverfish?

A silverfish can be drawn to LED lights because other types of insects have been attracted to the light, died and fallen into the silverfish’s hiding place.

The silverfish then feeds on the dead insects and is subsequently attracted to the light source that lured in its prey.

While this may be one way that a silverfish can be drawn to an LED light, it is not because of the wavelength of light emitted by an LED bulb or LED light source.

Do LED Light Strips Attract Silverfish?

While LED strip lights don’t specifically attract silverfish, they can still be drawn to the environment around the LED strips. So it’s not – are silverfish attracted to led lights – but more – are silverfish attracted to the area that the LED lights are in? The answer could then be yes.

How?

• Hiding Places: LED strips are usually stuck down onto a surface that can over time reveal unstuck cracks and crevices that are perfect for such small creatures to hide under.
• Secluded Places: LED strips lights are commonly stuck into long linear profiles with a polycarbonate diffuser on top, creating a secluded home for all kinds of insects if there is access. If they can enter from the ends of these extrusions, use end caps to seal off the entry points.
• Warm: LED strip lights are a welcoming environment to bugs as when turned on the gentle heat created by the LED is perfect for them to nestle near.
• Dark: How can a light be a dark area?! It would be fair to say that artificial lighting can in some homes only be on a small percentage of the day, especially during the week when potentially used less. The small time that some of these lights are on would mean they are mostly a secluded and darker place and not particularly a hostile environment to deter these unwanted guests.

While LED strip lights don’t specifically attract silverfish, they can still be drawn to your home if there are other factors that make it appealing to these pests.

What Attracts Silverfish?

Now we know that it’s not specifically the light that attracts silverfish but more the enviroment that the lights are in, it’s important to understand what these pests are attracted to in your home. Silverfish are drawn to:

• Moist & Humid Areas. Silverfish are attracted to damp, humid environments.
• The Dark. Silverfish prefer dark, they are nocturnal.
• Secluded areas. These pests like to hide in small, tight spaces.
• Areas with food. Silverfish are attracted to areas where they can find food, such as pantries, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Food Sources. Silverfish are attracted to food sources, such as carbohydrates and proteins. Cereals, crumbs from bread, oats, pasta etc.
• Fabric & Paper Products. Silverfish are also attracted to fabric and paper products. This includes toilet paper, wall paper and we have even seen a silverfish wedged between the glass and paper mount of a picture as it’s searched for cellulose based foods.
• Other insects. You can also attract silverfish if you have other insects in your home. These pests are attracted to the dead insects that have been drawn to LED lights.

If you’re concerned about attracting silverfish to your home, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from coming inside.

How to Keep Silverfish Out of Your Home

There are a few things that you can do to help keep silverfish away from your home:

1. Keep your home clean and free of clutter by daily vacuuming and sweeping of floors, particularly in the corners and edges of the walls and cupboards.
2. Seal cracks and openings around the exterior of your home.
3. Reduce moisture in your home by using a dehumidifier and fixing any leaks.
4. Store food in airtight containers.
5. Keep your garbage can clean and free of food scraps.
6. Vacuum regularly and empty the bag or canister immediately after each use.
7. Wash bedding, towels, and clothing regularly in hot water.
8. Use a pesticide that is specifically labeled to kill silverfish.
9. Use moisture absorbers in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
10. Ventilate well, minimising mold growth will inhibit the attraction.
11. Leave the lights on!

How to Keep Silverfish Away from LED Lights

As silverfish are drawn to areas where other insects are, one of the best ways to keep them away from your LED lights is to make sure that there aren’t other insects around them.

You can do this by:

• Maintenance. Keeping the spaces around the LED lights clean and free of dead bugs.
• Seal. Seal off the LED light source behind diffusers and aluminium profiles. The light is still attractive to other insects but is easier to clean and maintain.
• Seal. Sealing cracks and openings around the exterior of your home.

What Do Silverfish NOT like?

There are a few things that silverfish don’t like:

• The smell of lavender.
• The smell of citrus.
• The smell of cedar.
• Light.
• Borax
• Pesticides
• Traps and repellents
• Areas with no food for them.

Do Silverfish Bite?

Silverfish are not known to bite humans. However, they can cause damage to your belongings by eating through paper, fabric, and other materials in your home. If you have silverfish in your home, it is important to take measures to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Conclusion: Are Silverfish Attracted to LED Lights?

So if you have silverfish in your home, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them, but we cannot blame the LED light itself but more the environment of where LED lights are likely to be installed.

As long as you keep these areas clean and well maintained, your home is no more likely to attract silverfish than any other.

Andrew Orange, the owner of Orange Lighting qualified and worked as an interior designer in 1993 before specialising in lighting working on high profile projects based in London. Since starting Orange Lighting Ltd in 2003 he has been sharing his knowledge and unique teaching style mostly to his designer clients, offering practical real life advice born from running a busy consultancy and lighting supply business. Launching in 2020, his blog has evolved into Quick & Easy Lighting, curating some 25 years design experience into making the lighting choice and design process achievable and easy to understand for all.