do i need to turn off my electricity for this?

Absolutely! Never do work on "live" wires.

 

did you REALLY ask if it's OK to cut a LIVE electricity wire? really?

Put the bass down, drums are your calling......

 

Roflmao. I'm going to borrow that one day.

 

There's a reason that wires are closed in boxes and hidden in the walls. Apparently they should change to use something other than regular screwdrivers to remove and you'd have to pass a test before being allowed to buy the special screwdriver.

Electricians sometimes have to work live in commercial settings where they simply can't kill the power because it would mess up business operations. I had too when I worked for one and was considering apprenticing. They are professionals.

You, my dear OP are not even a novice. STAY AWAY FROM THE WIRES! NO TOUCH! See?

 

If you open up the box that holds the switch, and touch both wires and the box with a screw driver, you'll trip the breaker and not have to go looking for the right one.

This is a horrible idea, but one I stumbled across quite accidentally........

 

Just be careful, please. You can get a hell of a burn or worse on your precious finger if you happen to cause an arc.

Turn on the light then go back to the breakers to make sure you disconnect the right one.

 

I think all of these rude replies to a person genuinely looking for answers about a particular topic, obvious to many on TB, actually dissuades him or others from asking similar questions in the future.

If we are honestly concerned with the safety of the OP, we can start with making it safe to inquire about such things.

 

Really? I thought that was the way it is done. I just be sure my finger isn't touching the metal part of the screwdriver.

 

Nah, just keep one hand in your pocket at all times and you'll be fine.

 

You only need to turn off the breaker for that circuit. I did that operation with the power on when I was 15, and the results were rather shocking. I arced the screwdriver, and took a little ride.

 

check step 1 here: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/disable-light-fixture-49038.html

 

Whatever. If you're going to go through with this , here is how to do it safely.
Turn the porch light ON.
Go to the breaker panel and turn off a couple of breakers.
Go see if the porch light went out. If it did , it is now safe to work on. If it did not----
Go turn back on the breakers you turned off and turn off a couple more breakers.
Repeat until the porch light goes off.
Remove the cover to the switch (2 or four screws)
Remove the switch (2 screws.)
Remove the two wires to the switch.
PAY ATTENTION THIS PART IS IMPORTANT .
Straighten the two wires and firmly place wire nuts on each of them. You can get these at any home depot or hardware store. If these wires touch after you turn the power back on , it could easily start a fire.
Stuff the wires back in and replace the switch. Replace the switch cover.
Turn the breakers back on.
Go back to the switch and listen for any noise and make sure there are no funny smells coming out of the switch area.
If either of these thing happen , go turn the breaker back off and call an electrician.

And to everyone that gave a flip answer , you could have been the one responsible for this kid burning down his house.

 

Actually you can cut a live wire so long as you don't cut any other wires or ground the cutters out. However don't if you're not an electrician. The power in the switch probably wouldn't hurt you but it will surprise you. The fixture probably has 3 or 4 screws to take out and you can unscrew the bulb.

 

It's not your house, DON'T MESS WITH YOUR MOMS LIGHT!!!!

You don't have enough training to do it safely in the first place, and you don't dick with your parents house without permission!

 

A bug light (yellow) might do the trick.

 

THEY ATTRACT BEES?

Just leave them alone.