When LED light bulbs were first produced, one of the most touted features was that LED’s don’t produce light in the UV spectrum. That’s important for a number of reasons. UV rays can be damaging to us and to objects in our environment. Museums for example, carefully shield fragile artefacts from the sun’s rays and other light sources that do produce light in the UV spectrum. Another important feature of LED light bulbs is that they produce much less heat than an incandescent bulb. It caused LED light bulb producers to speculate. But are all LED light bulbs bug-free? Are bugs drawn to UV and heat? Let’s have a closer look.
As to UV rays, resoundingly yes. Next time you’re at the hardware store, take a look at a bug zapper. They are effective because they produce light in a spectrum that bugs can see and are attracted to. Are they attracted to heat? Possibly, but the primary attractor is the light. Night flying insects actually use the moon as a point of reference. It’s the bright light at a much closer proximity that distracts them from the moon and keeps them buzzing around your porch light. Bottom line is that bugs can see and are attracted to light in the UV and blue spectrum. The higher the light output and the cooler the Kelvin, the more likely you are to have bug issues regardless of the type of light bulb used. As much as flying insects are attracted to UV and blue light, they can barely if at all, see light in the red spectrum. It follows that the warmer the colour temperature, the less likely bugs will even notice it, much less gather round.
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So if moths are invading your home every time you open a door in the evening, it’s time for a change to coloured LED bulbs. Unless it particularly blends with your decor, you probably don’t want red LED light bulbs in your porch light. Orange or yellow can be an alternative. These A19 type LED light bulbs can be used outdoors in fixtures (not totally enclosed please) or in downlights on covered porches and patios. With a power consumption of only 3 watts, don’t expect a huge amount of light output.
These LED light bulbs will provide enough light to see your way to the door and a soft ambient light. Another plus is that other wildlife isn’t disturbed as much with soft orange or yellow light as they would be with a bright, white light suddenly turning on. This is an added plus for lighting at the campground. Fully enjoy the treasures of nature which may drop in from time to time as you’re relaxing around the camper in the evening.
For the more traditional uses, or when more light output is needed, our new omnidirectional LED light bulbs are available in 2700K. That is white light, but very, very warm white light. Omnidirectional means that the bulb emits light in a 360-degree radius, very similar to an incandescent light bulb. They produce the equivalent light output of a 60-watt incandescent bulb and are dimmable for those times you don’t need as much. Remember that a little goes a very long way in the dark, and unless you have particularly dark surroundings, 60 watt light output is more than sufficient for entrances, covered porches and patios. Try one and see for yourself what a difference a warm white LED light bulb can make.
By: Mary Wecker
