While light presents significant opportunities for rodent management9,27, conservationists must also prudently consider any negative effects of illuminating fragile ecosystems. We found discrepancies between male and female behaviour that could impact the way light is used as a management strategy. For example, females may be less likely to avoid illuminated areas, which could lead to sex-biased invasion risk when protecting damaged eco-sanctuary fencing. Additionally, circadian behaviours (e.g. singing, foraging, diel movements and sleep) and seasonal biological events (e.g. growth, reproduction, migration, flowering and leaf loss) of non-target flora and fauna would be affected by nocturnal lighting (reviewed in68). Light-sensitive native species could change behaviour patterns or distributions to the detriment of local populations (e.g. New Zealand tree [Hemideina thoracica] and cave weta [Family Rhaphidophoridae]10). Mitigation strategies, such as (i) reducing lighting duration, (ii) minimising light ‘trespass’ into unintended areas and (iii) using an appropriate intensity and spectral composition could reduce negative ecological consequences69.