Do you have a wonderful place to gather outdoors? Fantastic. A never-ending stream of insects that invade your patio and home? No, thank you. Here are some strategies for keeping bugs off your patio and yard, as well as keeping them out of your house.
Install Deck/Patio Fans
Mosquitos may have a tough sting, but they're wimps when it comes to standing up to a breeze. Fans can keep your outdoor entertaining space free from mosquitoes (and other little flyers) with the flip of a switch. And you'll get the benefit of a cool breeze.
Don't Mulch Too Much (or Too Little)
While mulching is generally a good thing for curb appeal, overdoing it can cause problems.
It could give cockroaches and ants the ideal environment to nest and find their way into your home. As mulch decomposes, it generates heat while providing cover for brooding pests. It can also even help mice tunnel into your home.
So keep mulch at least 30cm away from the foundation — or use inorganic mulch, such as rock or gravel.
But don't go in the opposite direction and forgo mulching altogether, leaving the ground essentially bare. Some insects make their nests by tunnelling into bare dirt.
Get Rid of Standing Water
This is something you are probably aware of. Have you heard that your gutters and downpipes may hold several mosquito nursery chambers? To prevent blockages that can trap water and offer those nasty stings a place to grow, clean out your gutters and downpipes on a regular basis.
Also make sure to keep kiddie pools, buckets, and watering cans empty when not in use.
Keep Your Yard Trimmed, Mowed, and Tidy
Pull out that lawnmower regularly and keep your garden shears sharpened.
Ticks like to hide in tall grass and wait for a passing human or animal, while bushes or tree limbs touching the home can provide easy access for pests to get indoors.
Plus having a tidy yard makes for good curb appeal.
Add Landscaping Plants That Bugs Hate
Not only are mint and citrus plants beautiful, but they also keep bugs away. Plant them near your patio or deck for extra protection against pests.
Here are some pest-repelling plants and the bugs that hate them:
- Basil: flies, mosquitoes
- Catnip: mosquitoes, ticks, flies, cockroaches
- Chrysanthemums: roaches, ants, ticks, fleas, bedbugs
- Lavender: moths, fleas, flies, mosquitoes
- Citronella: mosquitoes
- Geranium, lemon scented: mosquitoes
- Lemon thyme: mosquitoes
- Marigold: mosquitoes
- Rosemary: mosquitoes
Paint Your Home Lighter Colours
There is evidence to suggest that mosquitoes are attracted to darker colours, so people are often advised to wear light-coloured clothing to avoid them. The same principle may work for your home. Choose lighter shades of paint colour for your home's siding, doors, trim, and other features such as fencing, patio, and decking—making them less appealing to mosquitoes in the process.
If you're worried about birds, use a paint colour that doesn't match their favourite foods. Make sure the paint job is appropriate for the neighbourhood and improves your homes curb appeal. Bugs might be a nuisance but harming your home's value is much worse.
Make Sure Doors and Windows Fit Snugly
Doors and windows that fit snugly are less likely to let in flying pests. Inspect the weather stripping around doors and windows and replace it if necessary. You can also install door sweeps to help seal any gaps.
Now, enjoy the time outside and, GOOD LUCK!!