Black lights are effective because of the luminescent quality of scorpions. When hit with a black light, they will shine with a glow-in-the-dark yellow-blue-green color. Some homeowners will catch the scorpions after spotting them, releasing them into the desert later.

The tomato hornworm will glow under a blacklight. When the blacklight is shined on the hornworm, it will glow green and look almost fluorescent. This glowing makes pest control slightly easier for home gardeners. Bring a blacklight flashlight to find tomato hornworms, head outside when the sun sets.