Environment

UK households told ‘switch lights off’ with epidemic spreading across England

By James Rodger

Copyright birminghammail

UK households told 'switch lights off' with epidemic spreading across England

UK households have been warned to “switch the lights off” with spiders sweeping the country and arachnid fever across England. Similar to moths, spiders are also attracted to light, according to eight-legged insect experts. Experts say, with this in mind, it’s best to ensure all of your lights are switched off whenever you’re not using them. If you do have lights on in the home, try to keep curtains or blinds closed and avoid leaving doors or windows open. Spiders are generally nocturnal creatures, meaning they are more active at night. Each and every year, autumn brings with it the risk of an explosion in spider numbers. READ MORE NS&I warning for anyone with over £350 invested in Premium Bonds Keeping a light on while you sleep might deter some spiders from being active in your immediate area, as they tend to avoid brightly lit spaces. However, it’s important to note that not all spiders are equally affected by light, and some may not be deterred at all. Additionally, the presence of light could attract other insects, which may in turn attract spiders looking for food. If your goal is to minimize spider activity, you might also consider keeping your sleeping area clean and free of clutter, sealing any cracks or entry points, and reducing the presence of insects that could attract spiders. Infralumin adds: “LED lights do have the potential to attract spiders, and it all comes down to the color temperature of the light. Bugs and insects are drawn to colors on the UV light side of the spectrum, with blue LED lights being particularly appealing to them. “On the other hand, warmer colors like yellow light are less interesting to these creatures. “Choosing the right LED bulb and keeping your lights clean and well-maintained can help deter insect habitation. “Additionally, reducing heat emissions and employing bug-repelling methods can further ensure a bug-free environment around your LED lights.”