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Original poster

Turn the light off, the window's open!

71 replies

SausageinaBun · 15/06/2023 22:55

We've got windows open to cool down our house. But apparently that means we have to sit in darkness to avoid bugs coming in. I don't remember having that rule when I was a child - it's a DH thing that my DDs are now obsessed with too. All 3 of them do hate bugs, I'm the house spider remover.

So is this normal or just my family?

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 15/06/2023 22:57

We just live with the odd bug coming in.

MaidOfSteel · 15/06/2023 22:59

Yep. We learned as kids in the 70s that moths & other insects are attracted to the light.

QueenOfHiraeth · 15/06/2023 22:59

We live with it but I do tend to close the windows later or we get moths the size of helicopters coming in!

Thisisthedawningoftheageofaquarius · 15/06/2023 23:00

I think that’s normal tbh - well it was for us growing up and now normal in ours. I do have lights on with windows open and curtains closed tho (then no bright light attracting moths etc)

Flavabobble · 15/06/2023 23:00

I don't exactly live by the rule, so whenever I leave a light on and window open it attracts moths and daddy long legs.

GrumpyPanda · 15/06/2023 23:00

Just put up some screens. Netting fabric cut to size, attach with velcro strip around the window frames. Life saver in my house.

LadyVictoriaSponge · 15/06/2023 23:01

I’ve put these on my bedroom window for the summer, they are a bit Blue Peter but I can sleep with the windows open and no bugs!

Turn the light off, the window's open!
CakeJumper · 15/06/2023 23:02

Was normal in our family. And yes, it was definitely a dad thing 😂

Honeyroar · 15/06/2023 23:02

I have that rule too! But it’s very midgey where we live.

MrsLiam · 15/06/2023 23:04

Depends where you live and the temperature outside. Live in London now and yes, we do get few smallish moths if we leave the windows open and lights on.... but when I lived in the countryside 20 years ago, OMG it was like a horror movie to see all the enormous moths battling against the glass for entry [shudders!]

CC4712 · 15/06/2023 23:04

I've never understood why windows in the UK don't have screens like many other countries? Its not like the UK doesn't get flies, mosquitoes and other bugs flying around the room!

blueby7 · 15/06/2023 23:05

Yes, normal rule in our house

45387pob · 15/06/2023 23:06

Yep, completely normal. Bugs are attracted to light.

jannier · 15/06/2023 23:07

SausageinaBun · 15/06/2023 22:55

We've got windows open to cool down our house. But apparently that means we have to sit in darkness to avoid bugs coming in. I don't remember having that rule when I was a child - it's a DH thing that my DDs are now obsessed with too. All 3 of them do hate bugs, I'm the house spider remover.

So is this normal or just my family?

I'm mosquito dinner end up needing antibiotics so do try to keep lights off.

neilyoungismyhero · 15/06/2023 23:09

I have a nervous breakdown at the thought of a huge moth coming in...I'd love to sit outside with the fairy lights on but can't bring myself to.

Fordian · 15/06/2023 23:12

I wish. 55 years ago, if you left an internal light on, and windows open, your room would be a swirl of insects.

There aren't any, anymore.

35 years ago, a 100 mile drive on an A road in summer, your windscreen would be a mash of dead insects.

There aren't any, any more.

This is our Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring'.

We are fekked.

LemonB · 15/06/2023 23:13

DH is exactly the same OP!!

Fordian · 15/06/2023 23:13

neilyoungismyhero · 15/06/2023 23:09

I have a nervous breakdown at the thought of a huge moth coming in...I'd love to sit outside with the fairy lights on but can't bring myself to.

The last big moth I saw, rural Hampshire, was probably 5 years ago.

They're gone.

DinosApple · 15/06/2023 23:15

Yes lights off here too.
We live in a village backing on to a wood, there's loads of spiders, wasps, flies, months and daddy long legs round here and my DC hate them all.

It's a very pleasant 25 degrees in my bedroom tonight - I've just pushed the window wide open though. Lights off.

RaininSummer · 15/06/2023 23:16

I think there are a lot less insects now as when I was a kid, a light on with open window would mean moths and gnats everywhere.

LadyWiddiothethird · 15/06/2023 23:20

Absolutely,no lights when windows are open.All sorts of creatures will come in if light left on.

Zonder · 15/06/2023 23:23

CC4712 · 15/06/2023 23:04

I've never understood why windows in the UK don't have screens like many other countries? Its not like the UK doesn't get flies, mosquitoes and other bugs flying around the room!

Dh and I are convinced we didn't have mosquitoes when we were kids.

MeinKraft · 15/06/2023 23:32

CC4712 · 15/06/2023 23:04

I've never understood why windows in the UK don't have screens like many other countries? Its not like the UK doesn't get flies, mosquitoes and other bugs flying around the room!

What?! We don't have mosquitoes do we?

TheChosenTwo · 15/06/2023 23:35

Perfectly normal here.
Our house is a magnet for little flying critters once the sun has gone down. Windows open, lights are off. If you want the light on, absolutely fine - just shut your windows and door and stick the fan on.

DelurkingAJ · 15/06/2023 23:37

Given I’m currently not asleep because I can hear a mosquito whining around the bedroom…I’m team DH here.