9 Ways to Keep Bugs Away While You Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes and other critters as the weather warms up
Along with sunny days and balmy evenings, summer and the warmer months invariably bring mosquitoes and other less-than-welcome visitors to our gardens and outdoor areas. If mosquitoes and other insects are an issue where you live, take a look at the following nine ideas to help prevent them from becoming too much of a bother – or, in more serious cases, potentially spreading diseases – when you spend time outside this summer.
2. Control for larvae in water features
Water features, such as ponds or fountains, should ideally always have moving water (via a recirculating pump or electric aerator). For shallow water features and bird baths, change the water at least twice a week.
Moving water dissuades mosquitoes from laying eggs, and changing the water every few days interrupts the mosquito life cycle, preventing mosquito eggs or larvae from reaching maturity.
While introducing fish is often touted as a solution for keeping mosquito populations down, this is not recommended if your water feature is close to local waterways, as the introduced fish could spread (if a pond overflowed, for example) and become an invasive species.
Water features, such as ponds or fountains, should ideally always have moving water (via a recirculating pump or electric aerator). For shallow water features and bird baths, change the water at least twice a week.
Moving water dissuades mosquitoes from laying eggs, and changing the water every few days interrupts the mosquito life cycle, preventing mosquito eggs or larvae from reaching maturity.
While introducing fish is often touted as a solution for keeping mosquito populations down, this is not recommended if your water feature is close to local waterways, as the introduced fish could spread (if a pond overflowed, for example) and become an invasive species.
3. Add screens
Creating a physical barrier between you and the bugs can be the best way to prevent bites in the first place. Screen in a porch to enjoy meals outside in the evening, worry-free. Add fly screens to the doors and windows of your home to prevent any unwelcome guests.
And if you have any existing insect screens, check for holes and tears – mosquitoes and other insects can pass through very small gaps – and repair as needed.
Need to screen your doors and windows? Find a professional near you on Houzz to install fixed or retractable fly screens
Creating a physical barrier between you and the bugs can be the best way to prevent bites in the first place. Screen in a porch to enjoy meals outside in the evening, worry-free. Add fly screens to the doors and windows of your home to prevent any unwelcome guests.
And if you have any existing insect screens, check for holes and tears – mosquitoes and other insects can pass through very small gaps – and repair as needed.
Need to screen your doors and windows? Find a professional near you on Houzz to install fixed or retractable fly screens
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4. Use mosquito nets
We usually only think of using mosquito nets to cover beds at night, but they can also be used to protect outdoor seating areas. Think of them as a flexible, inexpensive alternative to screens and use them where you need them.
Keep in mind that if bug protection is the aim, all gaps – such as between the netting and ceiling, ground and posts – would need to be drawn closed, leaving nowhere for insects to get in. Mozzie nets don’t guarantee protection but they’re better than nothing and can create a beautiful ambience.
We usually only think of using mosquito nets to cover beds at night, but they can also be used to protect outdoor seating areas. Think of them as a flexible, inexpensive alternative to screens and use them where you need them.
Keep in mind that if bug protection is the aim, all gaps – such as between the netting and ceiling, ground and posts – would need to be drawn closed, leaving nowhere for insects to get in. Mozzie nets don’t guarantee protection but they’re better than nothing and can create a beautiful ambience.
5. Install outdoor ceiling fans
Mosquitoes, gnats and fruit flies have something in common: none of them are strong fliers. Hang a ceiling fan above an outdoor seating area, and the constant breeze will keep anyone seated beneath it largely safe from bites. Keep in mind that this isn’t a foolproof solution. The surface of a table can cut the breeze, and mosquitoes could potentially bite anyone’s legs beneath it.
Tip: When purchasing outdoor fans, look for those that are wet-rated and intended for outdoor use.
Mosquitoes, gnats and fruit flies have something in common: none of them are strong fliers. Hang a ceiling fan above an outdoor seating area, and the constant breeze will keep anyone seated beneath it largely safe from bites. Keep in mind that this isn’t a foolproof solution. The surface of a table can cut the breeze, and mosquitoes could potentially bite anyone’s legs beneath it.
Tip: When purchasing outdoor fans, look for those that are wet-rated and intended for outdoor use.
6. Move seating areas out of deep shade
Day-biting mosquitoes generally stick to the shadowy areas of gardens and avoid being in full sun. If you’re planning on being outside during the day, position your seat or outdoor table and chairs in an area in full sun. You’ll need to slap on some strong SPF, though you should have less of a problem with mosquitoes.
This tactic should work even if you take shelter under an umbrella or shade cover. As long as there is a buffer of lawn or patio in full sun surrounding your seating area, mosquitoes will be discouraged from flying though it.
Day-biting mosquitoes generally stick to the shadowy areas of gardens and avoid being in full sun. If you’re planning on being outside during the day, position your seat or outdoor table and chairs in an area in full sun. You’ll need to slap on some strong SPF, though you should have less of a problem with mosquitoes.
This tactic should work even if you take shelter under an umbrella or shade cover. As long as there is a buffer of lawn or patio in full sun surrounding your seating area, mosquitoes will be discouraged from flying though it.
7. Have bug repellent on hand
If mosquitoes show up during dinner, it’s less of an interruption if you have bug spray on hand and within easy access of an outdoor seating area.
Instead of using DEET-based repellents, which can have adverse environmental effects, try repellents that rely on natural ingredients – such as citronella, eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil – that are safer for humans, pets and the environment.
If mosquitoes show up during dinner, it’s less of an interruption if you have bug spray on hand and within easy access of an outdoor seating area.
Instead of using DEET-based repellents, which can have adverse environmental effects, try repellents that rely on natural ingredients – such as citronella, eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil – that are safer for humans, pets and the environment.
8. Burn citronella candles
Citronella candles and diffusers can be effective insect repellents in outdoor spaces, but they need to be used properly for any positive bug-reducing effect.
If they haven’t worked for you in the past, chances are you haven’t had enough of them to properly infuse a seating area with the protective scent. Here’s a quick test: if you can’t strongly smell the citronella when you’re seated, chances are that the smell will not be strong enough to repel insects.
Citronella is best used in combination with other control measures, such as topical insect repellent.
Citronella candles and diffusers can be effective insect repellents in outdoor spaces, but they need to be used properly for any positive bug-reducing effect.
If they haven’t worked for you in the past, chances are you haven’t had enough of them to properly infuse a seating area with the protective scent. Here’s a quick test: if you can’t strongly smell the citronella when you’re seated, chances are that the smell will not be strong enough to repel insects.
Citronella is best used in combination with other control measures, such as topical insect repellent.
9. Take cushions inside when not in use
Mosquitoes aren’t likely to hang out on cushions, but other creepy crawlies might. To avoid needing to brush off spiders, ants or bugs before you can kick back and relax on an outdoor sofa, take cushions and throw blankets indoors when not in use.
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Mosquitoes aren’t likely to hang out on cushions, but other creepy crawlies might. To avoid needing to brush off spiders, ants or bugs before you can kick back and relax on an outdoor sofa, take cushions and throw blankets indoors when not in use.
Browse more beautiful garden designs
And remember, as tempting as it may be to aim to banish these bugs completely, this generally isn’t the goal (with the significant exception of mosquito populations that carry diseases such as dengue). Mosquitoes play a role in ecosystems: the larvae live in water and provide a food source for fish and larger insect larvae such as damsel flies, while adults serve as pollinators.
If you live in an area where there have been reported cases of mosquito-borne diseases, consult your local council for specific control measures, which may be more drastic than those recommended here.
If you live in an area where there have been reported cases of mosquito-borne diseases, consult your local council for specific control measures, which may be more drastic than those recommended here.
Your turn
What have you found effective for keeping bugs away outdoors? Share your tips in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story and save the images; go on, join the conversation.
More
Need to arm yourself with more bug-banishing information? Read up on these Five Plants for Fighting Mosquitoes
What have you found effective for keeping bugs away outdoors? Share your tips in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story and save the images; go on, join the conversation.
More
Need to arm yourself with more bug-banishing information? Read up on these Five Plants for Fighting Mosquitoes
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Mosquitoes and flies seek out standing water to breed and can lay 100 to 200 eggs in one clutch or sitting. To prevent a rapid increase in mosquitoes in your yard, get rid of any sources of stagnant water. These can include water inside watering cans, plant saucers, pots without drainage holes, the lids of garbage cans, barbecue covers, hollow tree trunks or gutters that have been clogged with leaves.