Picture yourself on a relaxing summer evening lounging on your patio with an ice-cold glass of lemonade and basking under the warm sunlight. Now imagine that tranquillity is interrupted by the irritating sound of buzzing followed by the unmistakable itchiness of an unanticipated mosquito bite.
Insects of all kinds can dampen our enjoyment of the outdoors by invading our space, crawling on our food, and decorating our skin with itchy red bites. Fortunately, there are many ways to deter unwanted pests from disrupting your sacred space. After bug-proofing your patio, you can finally relax and relish in the beauty and warmth of summer.
Can’t Stand It
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pesky critters. Inspecting your backyard for any puddles in hidden areas after rainfall will help prevent the potential invasion of hostile insects. Check the divots in your table covers where water could have likely collected. Gutters and downspouts are also popular locations for pests to convene – especially if they’re clogged.
After pouring out and removing the water from these areas, go around the backyard and fill in any holes that could potentially create a puddle in the future. It may feel like a lot of work upfront, but you will be grateful when you can peacefully enjoy the outdoors without the hoard of tiny uninvited pests.
Trim and Proper
Letting grass and weeds run wild in your backyard not only looks unruly and uninviting, but it also harbours ticks and other parasites. To prevent these creepy crawlers from latching onto you or your pets, be sure to regularly mow your lawn and tidy any shrubs and bushes that have gone awry.
Long tree branches and unkempt bushes near your home provide easy access for pests to enter your home, so consistent trimming will work well to lower the risk of an insect invasion. A well-manicured yard will do wonders for deterring these summer nuisances.
Light Them Up
Lighting can also play a very significant role in the fight against outdoor pests. You might think that flying critters are attracted to light but their eyesight can only see shorter wavelengths like blues and purples. Swapping out the patio lights with some warmer bulbs will give the area a romantic ambiance while keeping out the buzzing intruders.
Functional Flora
When choosing the plants that decorate your outdoor space, invest in vegetation that both livens the space and repels the unwanted visitors. Using greenery to repel bugs is a natural and decorative solution depending on the plants you pick. Chrysanthemums, for example, are beautiful and colorful flowers that also ward off roaches, ants, ticks, and fleas!
Basil, lavender and rosemary work best to deter mosquitoes and flies from your patio while creating a relaxing ambiance with their earthy fragrances. Don’t be afraid of building a flourishing garden that welcomes insects like butterflies and bumble bees as long as you include these helpful plants to keep away the nasty parasites.
Keep it Natural
Aside from filling your patio space with specific plants, there are many other natural ways to repel buzzing nuisances. Essential oils can play a big part in keeping insects away while also creating a rejuvenating and peaceful atmosphere with their relaxing scents.
Lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, and citronella are some of the most popular oils used to repel summertime pests. They can be found at your local market, and you can use an oil diffuser, yard sprays, or scented candles to spread these insect-repelling aromas.
Repelling with Paint
Similar to using plants to decorate your patio while also deterring insects, painting the outdoor area certain colours will also help discourage those tiny invaders. Bugs often have trouble distinguishing lighter colours, so pick the lighter shades that also complement your colour palette to give your patio a flair that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This concept can also be used to deter bugs from taking refuge in your chair covers.
Pro Tip: If you want to keep the paint cohesive with the rest of your patio try using colours that compliment your grill cover.
Number One Fan
During the hot summer months, you may be inclined to install solar shades and an outdoor ceiling fan to keep you and your guests cool while enjoying outdoor activities. In addition to providing a comfortable breeze, these fixtures double as a very efficient bug-repelling device.
Fans especially do a fine job of blowing away any flying critters hoping to buzz around your freshly grilled meals. Although it would be a more labour-intensive solution, it would be worth the effort when you can freely and comfortably enjoy your outdoor space.
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