Having wasp or hornets in your outdoor fixture isn’t the best thing to have. They sting and use your light to get in and out of your home.

These insects are naturally attracted to light and will need some additional steps for removal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hornets, bees, and wasps contribute to an annual average of 62 deaths between 2000 and 2017.

However, before you start the eradication process, making sure they are indeed wasps is essential. Many people mix up these insects with bees, yet they are not the same.

Wasps have distinctive yellow/black bands around the abdomen compared to bees who have a non-descript light brown/brown-yellow color.

There are many differences between wasps and bees but mostly, keeping wasps away from your outdoor fixture requires wasps spray.

These insects are pretty aggressive, and using a spray is one of the safest routes. If you are afraid it will harm your fixture, don’t……. outdoor lights are watertight.

Can I Spray Wasp Spray In A Light Fixture?

Yes, you can use wasp spray in your light fixture but ensure you have access to the nest. You may not see the nest at first glance, so observe insects and see where they are going.

You should not attack a wasp nest during the day while they are most active; instead, wait until it’s dark.

Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves clothing. So if the wasps get out of control, you are covered. Most wasp sprays don’t conduct electricity but always read the label before using it near your fixture.

A safety precaution is to turn off the breaker associated with that light.

Focus, the spray from a distance and make sure the wind is to your back so none of the chemicals will get into your face. Wasp’s nest is a hard, paper-like structure. Thus, soak the nest with the chemical to ensure every pest is killed.

Don’t stick around after you have sprayed the nest because agitated swarms of wraps can attack. Wait 24 hours before you can revisit the site to remove the nest.

Lastly, the product I choose to highlight today that 100% gets rid of wasps is the Hot Shot. It allows long-distance spray and kills insects instantly.

How To Keep Wasps Out Of Outdoor Light Fixtures?

My mom always says, “prevention is better than the cure”. Hence, the best way to control the wasp population in your light is to clean them often. Yes, outdoor lights need cleaning. It can make them shine brighter, and you can get rid of the build-up of dust and grime.

Check the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines to ensure your fixture does not require any special cleaning.

Some manufacturers even ban wet cleaning and other requests special general-purpose detergent for fixture upkeep. Clean your outdoor fixture twice a year or whenever you see any build-up, including after ridding your light of a wasp nest.

Wasps are territorial, so hanging fake nests near your outdoor lights can keep them away. Many make them from crumpled paper bags while others buy fake nest from online stores like Amazon that resembles the real deal.

Essential oils can repel wasps, and according to a study, a mixture of clove, geranium, lemongrass, and rosemary does the trick. (If you have pets or allergies, do not use any of these oils or spray below).

Are Wasps Attracted To Light?

The answer is that wasps are attracted to light, but not just any light. They are most attracted to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is the part of the spectrum that humans cannot see.

Wasps have a special sense organ called a compound eye. This structure comprises many tiny eyes, known as facets or ommatidia.

The ommatidia are sensitive to light and dark, but not color. Each facet has its own lens and retina and the wasps can use their compound eyes to see in three dimensions by changing the angle of view of each facet.

The wasps’ compound eyes also react to UV light. Because of this, they are attracted to lights at night – particularly street lamps and porch lights – where there is plenty of UV radiation bouncing around from the filament inside the bulb.

How To Keep Moths Away From Outdoor Lights?

It is no surprise moths are attracted to your outdoor lights. Studies suggest they mistake artificial light for the moon. One way to prevent moths from flying by your lights is to make them less attractive. Incandescent lights are the ones that attract these pests the most, so upgrading to LEDs’ warm yellow hue can help.

While you can turn off the light, it isn’t the safest route for security lights.

So adding a few drops of citronella oil to the bulb acts as a natural moth repellent. Furthermore, fly zappers hanging near your lights emit ultraviolet lights that will attract the moths, killing them on site.

Lastly, water is one of the best moth repellents because they are readily available. Place a plate with water under the lights so they can drown.

Wasps and moths can be very annoying when they surround your outdoor lights. Thus, I hope this guide helps you get rid of these pesky pests once and for all.