Easy Process Of Getting Rid Of Bugs From Light Fixtures
Light fixtures soften as well as spread the light from light bulbs in order to throw light to the entire room, however, they are also attracted to dust, bugs, cobwebs, as well as dirt. So, it becomes necessary to clean up your light fixtures at regular intervals. If your light fixtures are dirty, then it will minimize the amount of light a room receives as well as reduces the lifespan of light bulbs. It is not a best sign and is unpleasant if you notice bugs in light fixtures, regardless of whether they are dead or alive. Bugs in your light fixtures may make it look very unpleasant as they may be sitting there for months or even years. Getting rid of the bugs from your light fixtures is an unpleasant task to do, therefore, try to prevent bugs from appearing on your light fixtures at the first place. However, if somehow you notice bugs in your light fixtures, then go through the below-mentioned process carefully in order to get rid of these bugs:
- Wear Protective Goggles & Gloves
In order to clean your light fixtures, you, first of all, need to wear protective goggles as well as gloves, due to the fact that the cover may be full of dust as well as debris, apart from the dead insects. - Lay Down A Drop Cloth & Remove The Cover
After wearing protective goggles & gloves, you need to place a drop cloth before standing on a step stool or small ladder & then remove the cover. You need to figure out how the cover is attached, which in all likelihood will be held there using screws. - Empty Out The Debris & Clean It
Now, get rid of the debris before cleaning it using a spray made from equal parts of vinegar and water. You can also replace the bulb if you need before you reinstall the cover back. - Take Preventive Measures
If you are looking to keep bugs away from light fixtures in future, you need to take some preventive measures, including sealing any gaps in the wall. First off all, switch off the electricity first before taking off the cover as well as removing any bulbs. Take out the fixture from its electrical box behind its base plate before sealing the gap between the box and the wall, using acrylic latex caulk. As soon as you are done, you may then replace the fixture.
Why Are Bugs Attracted To Light Fixtures?
- A bug is usually attracted to light due to a process known as phototaxis. Phototactic insects are spontaneously drawn toward or away from the light. Those insects that usually hang out near porch lights & indoor lights are positively phototactic. Phototaxis also explains why cockroaches scatter as soon as lights are turned on, they are negatively phototactic.
- Bugs get into ceiling light fixtures in bathrooms as well as other rooms through wires and holes. As soon as the light fixtures are installed, you need to run the wires through the ceilings, and this requires holes. Bugs come in through these holes before proceeding toward the source of the light. They end up behind the covers and then die, due to the fact that they cannot escape, as they have no food or due to the heat.
- Outdoor lights may also have a problem. If you have bugs in your outdoor lights, then you need to opt different kinds of light bulbs, due to the fact that bugs are not as attracted to yellow light. LED bulbs can also be very effective, due to the reason that they are less visible to insects. You can also look for bulbs particularly formulated to keep bugs away.