How red light can help you enjoy a bite-free camping trip
Camping is one of the greatest ways to embrace the outdoors, but nothing ruins a peaceful night under the stars quite like a swarm of insects buzzing around your head. From midges in the Scottish Highlands to mosquitos near lakes and rivers, bugs are an inevitable part of the great outdoors. However, what if we told you there was a simple, effective way to keep them at bay? Enter red light mode—a game-changer for outdoor adventurers and family campers alike.
Why do bugs love white light?
Most standard torches, headlamps and lanterns use bright white or blue-toned LEDs, which, while great for visibility, are highly attractive to insects. Many bugs, including moths and mosquitos, are naturally drawn to shorter wavelength lights, like white, blue and ultraviolet. When you’re shining a bright white torch around your campsite, you’re basically rolling out the red carpet for every flying insect in the area.
Red light, on the other hand, falls within a longer wavelength range that insects struggle to detect. This means you can illuminate your surroundings without attracting an unwanted buzzing audience.
How red light torches and headlamps make camping better
Switching to a torch, headlamp or lantern with a red light mode is a smart move for any camper. Not only does it help reduce insect attraction, but it also has other handy benefits:
- Preserves night vision – Red light helps your eyes adjust in the dark without causing glare, making it easier to see your surroundings.
- Less disruptive to others – If you’re part of a group or camping with family, red light is softer and won’t blind your fellow campers.
- Perfect for wildlife spotting – Many animals are less sensitive to red light, meaning you can observe nature without disturbing nocturnal creatures.
NEBO’s top red light torches, headlamps and lanterns for camping
Now that you know the benefits, it’s time to gear up with the right lighting for your next outdoor adventure. Here are our top picks from our current NEBO camping range to help keep the bugs at bay:
1. NEBO EINSTEIN 1000 FLEX Headlamp
For hands-free lighting with red light mode, the Einstein 1000 FLEX Headlamp is a must-have. It offers a powerful white light for when you need full brightness and a discreet red light mode for when you want to avoid attracting insects. Plus, its lightweight and rechargeable design makes it perfect for campers who like to travel light.
2. NEBO MYCRO 500+ Headlamp & Cap Light
Compact yet powerful, the MYCRO 500+ offers both white and red light modes, making it ideal for late-night tent setups, cooking, or reading without drawing in bugs. With a built-in clip, it doubles as a handy cap light for added versatility.
3. NEBO BIG LARRY 3 Work Light
If you need a larger floodlight-style torch, the BIG LARRY 3 is a fantastic choice. Its powerful COB LED work light is excellent for campsite illumination and it features a red light mode to keep insects away while providing excellent visibility.
4. NEBO GALILEO 500 Lantern
Lanterns are an essential part of any campsite, and the GALILEO 500 is a fantastic pick. It provides 360-degree lighting and features a red light mode, making it the perfect addition to your camping setup for bug-free evenings around the campfire.
5. NEBO GALILEO AIR 1000 Lantern
This 1,000 lumen lantern features an innovative space-saving, collapsible design for convenient portability. The warm white light efficiently illuminates any space while the red light option helps keep the bugs at bay and preserve night vision in low light conditions. This rechargeable lantern also serves as a handy power bank to charge your USB powered devices.
Additional tips to keep bugs away
While red light mode is an excellent trick to help avoid attracting insects, here are a few extra tips to ensure a more comfortable, bug-free camping experience:
- Choose your campsite or camping spot wisely – Avoid setting up near standing water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitos.
- Use natural repellents – Citronella candles, essential oils like lemon eucalyptus and even campfire smoke can help keep bugs at bay.
- Wear light-coloured clothing – Dark colours tend to attract more insects, so opt for lighter shades.
- Keep food sealed – Sweet smells can lure in flies and wasps, so store food in airtight containers.
- Avoid perfumed products – Scented lotions and sprays can make you more appealing to bugs.
Camping should be about relaxing under the stars, exploring nature and making memories—not swatting away bugs all night. By using a torch, headlamp or lantern with a red light mode, you can enjoy clear, comfortable lighting without the insect invasion.
So whatever camping trip you’re planning, be sure to pack the right lighting gear.
