Light in the garden gives us not just security, but also ambiance, and allows us to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings in an atmospheric setting. We use light responsibly to ensure an amicable coexistence with our environment.
Lighting should not cause insects and other animals to lose orientation or interfere with their ability to find food. Without insects, our lovely trees and flower beds would no longer be pollinated.
What can you do to make your garden insect and animal-friendly and still have beautiful lighting? One solution lies in choosing the right light colour.
Have a look at the summary of key points at the end of this page in our overview of insect-friendly lighting.
1. Which light colour is insect-friendly?
Insects are attracted to light with a high blue ratio. They basically confuse that light with the light of the moon, which they rely on for orientation. We call that ‘cold light’. Neutral white light ranges between 3,300 and 5,300 Kelvin, while daylight white light is above 5,300 Kelvin. The colder the light, the more attractive a luminaire becomes for insects. They fly aimlessly around the luminaire, become disoriented and are no longer able to forage for food.
The more red components there are in the light, the less dangerous it is for creepy-crawlies. Gold (or amber) light is the answer – and it also has advantages for people. The warm white light feels like sunset, bringing warmth and relaxation to the garden at night. The colour temperature of gold light lies between 2,200 and 3,000 Kelvin. Have a look at our encyclopaedia of light if you want to learn more about colour temperature!
2. What about directing the light?
We like to highlight the things that fill us with pride in our gardens: perfectly pruned shrubbery, majestic trees, our most prized flowerbeds. It is, however, important to direct the light correctly to ensure we protect our garden’s fauna.
Many animals are nocturnal and move around their territory at night in search of food. Outdoor lighting can create corridors of light that cut down their territory, making it harder for them to find food. It can already be helpful to simply refrain from illuminating the entire garden and deliberately create unlit areas, where these creatures can move unhindered. Such a play of light and shadow adds depth to your garden, making it look more enticing.
3. How do I use lighting responsibly?
Many animals and insects are nocturnal, meaning they move under the cover of darkness. When we illuminate our gardens until late at night, we make it impossible for these creatures to search for food, which impacts their natural life. That is why it is important to only light up areas we are actually using: You don’t need light in the front garden, while you are having a barbecue on the patio.
Some areas will always need light for orientation, while others only need ambient lighting from time to time. When you do need light in such areas, be sure to think about surfaces that do not reflect light unnecessarily. Dimmable luminaires are great for adjusting brightness and create a wonderful ambiance, while reducing the impact on animal life. Have a look at our Light Lexicon for more information about dimming.
Once you are done for the night and leave the garden or patio to move back inside, the light should be switched off. Trees, shrubbery and flower beds need the darkness of night to thrive. And if you won’t need to go back outside, you should also switch off any additional footpath lighting.
If you do have footpaths that need lighting up at night, you should use luminaires with an integrated motion sensor, which will switch on when someone approaches and automatically switch off again a few seconds later. A more responsible use of outdoor lighting is good for the environment – and also for your wallet.
