Do LED Lights Attract Spiders?

LED as a source of lighting is known to attract certain insects and as spiders are found in homes all over the world, is your LED lighting giving them a favorite place to live?

Does LED Light attract Spiders?

Are spiders attracted to light? The short answer is no, there is no evidence that the light itself attracts them.

Spiders are survivors and have adapted to not risk unnecessary exposure and prefer to avoid lit areas indoors, only venturing out into the open in a house if necessary.

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 some insects.

So, while LED lights attract some insects, the light itself is not likely to attract a spider.

How Does LED attract Spiders?

As this is a frequently asked question there must be enough anecdotal evidence to support the assumption that more are found in and near them?

So if there is no real evidence that spiders are specifically attracted to the LED light itself, then it is more about the environment created around LED lighting that is the appeal.

LED strip is a particular type of linear lighting that not only offers a great hiding place, hidden in corners and recesses that are shared with the creatures that prefer such a habitat, but it also provides an easier place to hunt and find easier sources of food.

The spider is a predator that can be drawn to LED lights because other types of insects have been attracted to the light and died, and then the spider feeds on the dead insects and is subsequently attracted to the light source that lured in its prey.

Do LED Strip Lights Attract Spiders?

So it’s the environment around the LED strips that are the attraction. It’s not – are spiders attracted to led lights – but more – are spiders attracted to the area that LED lights are in?

The answer could then be yes.

How?

• Hiding 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.
• Food: The presence of dead insects around LED strip is the lure, not the light.
• UV Light: The genetic attraction of UV light to the prey of a spider is also a reason these creatures are more likely to be found near an LED light.

Does Colored Light Attract Spiders?

The full spectrum of light ranges contains wavelengths of light that are not visible to the human eye. Some insects can see colors in the ultraviolet (UV) range, invisible to us but some researchers believe there is evidence that UV light may be seen and therefore used by some particular species of spiders.

Therefore, UV light would attract them as it assists their visibility to hunt and feed.

While there is no real evidence that all spiders are attracted to any one color of light, the same research demonstrates that some can also see by green light so that could be attractive to that specific type.

What Environment Do Spiders Prefer?

Now we know that it’s not specifically the light but more the environment that the lights are in that’s the appeal, it’s important to understand what these pests are attracted to in your home.

Spiders are drawn to:

• The Dark. Spiders prefer the dark in houses, so although not nocturnal, darkness offers some cover of protection.
• Secluded areas. These creatures like to hide in small, tight spaces.
• Ceilings. Spiders often build webs on ceilings because they’re out of reach to most predators and where small flying insects are likely to be as it’s the warmest and highest part of a room.
• Other insects. You can also attract them if you have other insects in your home. These pests are attracted to the dead insects that have been drawn to LED lights.

So if your home has these other appealing features to them, they may well be drawn to the area that your light is in.

How to Keep Spiders Away from LED Lights

As spiders 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. use end caps on your LED strip lights to prevent access from the ends.
• Seal. Sealing cracks and openings around the exterior of your home.
• Pesticides. Use an insecticide around your lights to deter them from the area
• Repellent. Smells of citrus, lavender and cedar are reported to repel insects which may include spiders.

Conclusion

So if you have spiders 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 on the environment 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 them 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.