I want to install flood lights for security- what should we consider?

Where would you like the light fixtures to be installed? Next to the trees, or on the house walls?

If you want them next to the trees, then you will need to make a trench, digging up the grass and laying the wiring inside. The line will need to be hard-wired to the nearest electrical switch, or sub-panel, with its own on/off switch. The work will need to be completed by a qualified electrician so as not to void your home insurance, should you ever need to file a claim.

If it is to be installed on the house, the easiest way is to switch out an existing exterior light fixture with a new fixture having motion sensor capacity.

The fixture(s) must be installed or anchored so that there is a clean sight line from the area you want lit, to the sensor. To get the right position, get a second person to walk back and forth a few times after dark to see how it responds to movement, while you do the adjusting.

Motion sensor fixtures commonly operate (a)dusk-to-dawn, or (b) during the specific hours that you choose. It is worth paying a little more for the latter style, as then you will be able to set it to come on/turn off at different times according to the seasonal day length and yard activities. They will function just as well during cloudy or rainy weather. You can also set the length of time that the light stays on, after coming on.

Beautiful yard! I love motion lights and have them in several locations on my house. On the front porch, I have a "dusk to dawn" light with motion sensor and it brightens when it detects movement. In other areas I have standard run of the mill motion lights. They turn on when the sensor detects movement. Initially takes a bit of fiddling over a night or two, and after that it is dandy. I have them to scare creatures of the night away, raccoons, possums, coyotes, etc. as well as for security purposes as I live alone. Granted I fear nothing, but if something or someone turns up, I want to be able to see it / them. Every neighborhood watch meeting I have ever been to, the law enforcement officials tell you a well lit house is less desirable. Well my house is lit up like a christmas tree. I have solar lights in front and back yards and several lights on timers inside that I randomly use so there is no "pattern." Oh another thing, placement should be "out of reach" if possible if being used for security so they can't reach up and remove the bulbs. The light by my back door is easy to reach due to location and placement as it was originally a regular back patio light that I converted, but I have another, also in the back yard that will trip that is out of reach. The bulbs have generally lasted a long time and the better the bulb the cheaper to run. All in all it has never been a drain on electricity. Hope this helps!

How sensitive you want them. If a chipmunk goes in your yard to you want them going on at nite? Also the distance, how far do you want the light to reach? And will they be in my neighbor's window. I have had a mean neighbor call to tell me "turn off those lights !" when I had a bear in my yard!

You need to be careful and not put them too close to trees that move when the wind blows. I lived alone for a few years and had them installed in my back yard. Every time the big oak trees moved the lights came on. I have them where I live now. They are installed on either side of the garage with no trees nearby. They work well and light up the entire driveway to the road.

Before buying, you need to look at the power, brightness, sensitivity and waterproof function of the outdoor flood lights.

1. Higher power doesn't mean brighter. LED is very famous because of its high luminous efficiency. You can get a very bright backyard by using 40-100watts

2. Sensitivity. Depending on the purpose, such as detecting the trespass of animals or people, you can adjust the sensitivity of the lamps. There are many products on Amazon

3. Since it is likely that you will attach the light outdoor, you need to see if the product has waterproof rating of at least IP64. It is the standard that can withstand heavy raining. You can also find the best product here. There is a more comprehensive guide. https://floodlightsblog.com/best-commercial-security-flood-lights-buyers-guide-reviews/