Do LED Lights Attract Spiders? ​

We have noticed that many people are curious about it: Do LED lights attract spiders?

Let's consider two aspects instead of focusing on the answer. Firstly, let's take a look at spider habits. Research shows that spiders have a different eye structure than humans and other animals, lacking lenses and the ability to focus. Therefore, spiders tend to fear light and prefer shade. The insects they prey on are mostly nocturnal. Although spiders live in dark and damp environments, they build their webs in light and windy areas because more insects pass through, allowing spiders to catch more food. 

Now, the question arises again: Since insects like light, is it inevitable that they will attract spiders? This is the second aspect of our analysis. 

At the annual AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) meeting, a poster described a recent study comparing insect traps fitted with six different types of lights. These included traditional incandescent lights, LED lights that emit cool and warm colours, and yellow "bug lights" that claim to be less attractive to insects. During the summer, researchers collected and classified 8,887 insects and spiders from a community in Virginia. Their findings revealed that incandescent lights attract the most insects, averaging eight per hour. On the other hand, "bug lights" and warm-toned LED lights were almost equally the least attractive, attracting an average of about 4.5 insects per hour.

Have you ever wondered why insects are less attracted to LED lights? Unlike traditional lighting fixtures such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps that emit thermal light, LED lights directly convert electrical energy into light energy without carrying heat. This means that LED lights do not emit infrared or ultraviolet radiation sources that insects are attracted to. Additionally, LED lights mainly consist of two wavelengths - a single blue chip and a YAG yellow phosphor - mixed to produce white light. Unlike incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LED lights do not contain ultraviolet light, making them less attractive to insects.

Do LED lights attract spiders? You must have an answer now. The attraction of LED lights to insects is minimal, so the likelihood of spiders gathering around them is naturally reduced. Considering the natural habits of spiders, LED lights may not attract them.