HHH Blog

Dim The Lights for our Wild Plants and Wildlife

It’s spring and while we’re thinking about flowers and vegetables, an important and sometimes forgotten factor in our harvests is the outdoor lighting at our homes. This is a perfect time to revise and update the light fixtures that keep us safe. Changes we make now can protect the pollinators we need for the abundant fruits and vegetables we want from our gardens. These changes will also protect our plants and wildlife neighbors.

Motion-Sensored, Solar-Powered Fixtures Are Fabulous Substitutions or Additions

I installed my first MSSP fixtures back in August, 2021 to light our private sidewalk in the demonstration gardens. It was lovely to simply screw the 4” x 5” fixtures to my picket fence every ten or so feet. Each 400 lumen LED light turns on as I come within 5’. The result is a nearly magical sequence of 30-second illuminations showing me the way without adding a cent to my electricity bill. Their downside? I’ve found them to last for approximately 2-3 years. The other important aspect of replacing them is the need to dispose of their lithium batteries properly. I use calltorecycle.org to find that Staples, Home Depot and our local hardware store Hamshaw Lumber are the closest of many locations accepting these batteries.

Light Pollution Harms Wildlife

Our wild community members suffer silently from the standard outdoor night lighting we use. Studies show that artificial light at night not only interferes with hunting, breeding and reproduction but also has deadly effects on amphibians, mammals, insects and plants. Birds are tricked by outdoor lighting into migrating too early or late. This increases their likelihood of missing important conditions for foraging and nesting. The Xerces Society tells us that 60% of the insects, many of which parent birds need to feed their babies, are active at dusk, night and dawn. These species’ steeply declining populations are in great part due to our outdoor lights. The good news? Outdoor lighting is one of the easiest threats to prevent. In particular the down-lighting and short run times of the motion-activated fixtures I’m recommending are particularly helpful for wildlife and pollinators.

Light Pollution Decreases the Vegetables and Fruits We Grow at Home

Remember the pollinators we all like to see in our gardens? I bet you already know how important they are to the future fruits and vegetables we are growing more of every day at home. Sadly artificial light at night has deadly effects on the moths, flies, bees and beetles that pollinate our fruits and vegetable plants, decreasing our harvests. A 2017 study showed that the many important pollinators we need can decline as much as 62% in urban areas. Standard outdoor light fixtures do not serve us well.

It’s true that it was easiest to simply switch out my white bulbs to yellow in my hardwired and downlit, outdoor fixtures. Insects are less attracted to this color light. But I’m happiest knowing that the more numerous fixtures are warm white, MSSP fixtures. I’ve only had to install them with screws. They are increasing not only the amount of food my gardens will grow, but the number of birds that visit. I’m thrilled that this reduced outdoor lighting will provide refuge to the lovely fireflies that will now be gravitating to our new wildlife pond. Join me this season in a shift to more efficient, inexpensive, outdoor light fixtures. We all deserve and can create happier, more magical and healthier home gardens and wildlife habitats.