LED bulbs that attract fewer insects

What is it about?

We configured the light from indoor-use LED bulbs in a way that we predicted would minimize the number of insects attracted to them. We found that they both attracted fewer insects than commercial LEDs of similar color as well as fewer than a compact fluorescent bulb. Because insects that carry diseases are often attracted to light, use of bulbs that minimize insect attraction should reduce disease exposure in the tropics, where glass and screens in windows are not common.

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Why is it important?

The paper shows that lamps that produce light of the quality desired for indoor use can be made less attractive to insects. We confirm that lower color temperature lamps attract fewer insects than higher color temperature lamps, but even show that the same color temperature can be configured in ways to minimize insect attraction.