Should Garage Lights Be Left On All Night? Here's What Experts Say

As someone whose neighbors once described her yard as being "lit up like an airport at all times," I understand the desire to keep those garage lights on overnight. At the time, my family lived in a rural area where even the nearest neighbor wasn't affected by all that wattage. It gave me a sense of safety. However, I would eventually discover doorbell cameras and motion sensors, and what once looked like an airport has become much more serene. 

If you insist on keeping your garage lights flipped on, our experts break down why that's detrimental—along with what to do instead to keep that sense of safety. 

The Problem With Overnight Garage Lighting

There are a couple of main problems created by consistent nighttime lighting in your garage or outdoor spaces. From a homeowner's perspective, leaving your garage lights may give you a false sense of protection. “Garage lights that are constantly on will not deter someone that has been watching over your property,” explains Mike Halbouni, security camera and telecommunications expert at PoyntGuard Security. 

From a pest control standpoint, leaving garage lights on all night will attract more insects around entry points than if you kept them off. “I've serviced homes where I can tell they leave the lights on at night just because of the heavy activity found the next day around the lights,” says Sean Hearn, a licensed pest control operator. “Many pests are attracted to light, like moths, flying ants, beetles, gnats, and lovebugs. And where there's heavy insect activity, spiders usually follow.”

Lighting expert Gary Satanovsky says many of his customers have noticed the opposite effect, as well. “Bright garage lights attracted insects, which in turn drew in spiders and bigger pests,” he says. “Once a mouse or rat realizes a constant light poses no real threat, they'll often ignore it.”

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What to Do Instead

According to our experts, motion sensors and automated lighting options are the preferred way to go.

For home protection, inconsistent lighting patterns work more effectively than always-on lights since they give a potential intruder the sense of movement or occupancy of the home. The goal is not just to keep the area lit up but to make unusual activity noticeable. “Then back it up with the proper deterrence equipment,” Halbouni says, “so that if an intruder enters, they are met with an alarm and camera footage.”

Additionally, you'll lessen the chance of a full-on pest invasion. "You still get the security benefit without the added issue of attracting insects all night long," Hearn says. “Plus, you'll save on your energy bill.”