Bug-Off

Posted on June 11th, 2018 by haynesbrosfurniture.

The summer season is a time of fun and sun, but it can also be home to plenty of bugs. If you want to enjoy the great outdoors without the itching and scratching, you need to take some proactive steps to keep the bugs at bay.

You do not have to hide indoors all summer to keep the season bug-free. Here are some practical and effective ways to get those summer pests to bug off.

Fans

Moving air is a surprisingly effective way to keep those summer bugs away. Setting up a fan on your patio can keep flies and other summer insects for settling in your personal space, all without the use of dangerous insecticides or harsh chemicals.

Those fans have another important advantage, one you will appreciate when the weather starts to heat up. The same fan that keeps the bugs away also produces a cooling breeze so you can enjoy the warm, sunny weather longer.

Diversions

Bugs are sight and smell-oriented, so setting up a few diversions can convince them to leave you and your family alone. Start by setting up a fake nest to deter wasps. When wasps flying by seeing the fake nest, they will think that someone else has already made their home. Wasps do not like to nest within 200 feet of one another, and you can use that fact to your benefit.

Citronella

Citronella candles can bathe your patio or pool in warm natural light, but these wonderful candles do double duty as natural bug repellents. Even as they add a homey touch to your outdoor living space, these citronella candles are giving off an aroma that tells bugs to stay away.

Citronella lanterns by the pool can do the same thing, surrounding your swimming hole in warmth and beauty while keeping mosquitoes and other pests at bay. Be sure to pick up a few citronella lanterns on your next shopping trip, then set them up around the pool and patio.

Eliminate Standing Water

Standing water is a magnet for mosquitoes, including the ones that carry West Nile, Zika, and other serious illnesses. Now is the time to look for, and eradicate, those sources of standing water.

From trash can lids left unattended to forgotten kiddie pools, your home may have more sources of standing water than you realize. Removing those standing water sources now can prevent a mosquito problem later.

If you have a birdbath in your backyard, be sure the water is kept clean, and hose it out regularly to flush out any mosquito larvae. It is fine to give the birds a drink, but you do not want to attract any uninvited guests.

DIY

You do not have to resort to dangerous chemicals and expensive bug repellents – not when you can make your own. Use this simple recipe to make your own natural bug spray and keep yourself comfortable all summer long.

Start with three ounces of witch hazel, then add a tablespoon of jojoba oil. Top it off with 24 drops of cedarwood, lemongrass, citronella, geranium, peppermint, tea tree and neem essential oils. Shake it up, pour it into a spray bottle, and apply to yourself, the fabrics on your porch or patio and anything else you want to keep bug free.

Plants

Whether you have a naturally green thumb or not, plants can serve as natural bug repellents. Flowers can deter bugs and keep them away by attracting natural predators like dragonflies, bees, and butterflies. Those flowers can also support local bee colonies and help them recover from recent health issues.

Planting things like rosemary, lemongrass, marigolds, and mint can also keep bugs at bay. Mosquitoes detest all these plants, and they may steer clear if they see them in your garden.

To keep mosquitoes and other bugs off your skin, try rubbing a few lemon balm sprigs on your arms, legs and other exposed skin. Your skin will smell great, and the bugs will stay away.

Invest in a Screened Porch

If you really want to enjoy a bug-free experience, consider upgrading your home with a screened porch. With a screened porch, you can enjoy the fresh summer breezes and warm weather, without the intrusive insects and sudden rain showers.

Keeping your summer bug free is not always easy but taking the right steps now can keep those pesky insects away later. With a few simple preparations, you can enjoy the best of summer without the itching and pain of bug bites.

Tags: backyards, cedar, Cleaning Tips, Daytona Beach, decor, decorating, Family, Florida, Haynes Bros, Haynes Brothers, home, home improvement, home owner, house, Life Hacks, mood, Outdoors, summer, Yard Work

This entry was posted on Monday, June 11th, 2018 at 5:15 pm and is filed under DIY. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.