Best Ways to Keep Your Outdoor Living Space Bug-Free
There are countless benefits to enjoying the great outdoors, from getting more exercise to improving your mood. But one of the main reasons people love spending time outside is because it’s a bug-free zone. No mosquitoes, no ticks, no fleas – nothing but fresh air and sunshine.
Anyone who has ever tried to keep bugs away knows, it can be a real challenge. Especially if you want to do it naturally, without using harsh chemicals. So how do you keep your outdoor living space bug-free? Read on for some tips.
Choose the right plants
There are a variety of plants that naturally deter rodents and insects. Here are a few that you can add to your landscape:
- Lavender – Not only does this herb smell great, it’s also a natural repellent for moths, mosquitoes, and flies.
- Rosemary – This fragrant herb is not only a delicious addition to your cooking, but it also repels cabbage loopers, carrot root fly, and tomato hornworms.
- Sage – Sage brush is an effective way to keep deer away, but it also helps repel fleas, mosquitoes, and rodents.
- Mint – This versatile herb can be used in everything from mojitos to pesto, and it’s a great way to keep ants, beetles, and mice at bay.
- Citronella Trees - Citronella trees bloom beautiful flowers and emit a lemon scent that helps keep mosquitoes away.
Use Cedar Chips
Cedar is a natural insect repellent, and cedar chips can help keep bugs away from your outdoor living space. You can spread them around the perimeter of your yard, or even put them in planters or on your patio furniture. The cherry on top with this method is that it can be a great looking addition to any landscape.
Keep your yard clean
A well-maintained yard is less attractive to pests than a messy one. Keep your lawn mowed, and remove any dead leaves, fruit or other debris that could provide shelter for insects. Also, make sure to keep trash cans and pet food bowls clean and sealed – these are prime breeding grounds for insects and attract many rodents.
Remove Large Bushes
Although bushes can provide shade and a sense of privacy by blocking an outsiders view into your yard or even into your home, they tend to become homes from many pests. Ticks, for example, love to live in dense vegetation, so it’s best to keep bushes trimmed back.
Light a Citronella Candle
Much like the flowers on citronella trees, citronella candles are a popular way to keep mosquitoes away, and they can be found at most hardware stores. Just make sure to blow them out when you go inside, as leaving them burning unattended is a fire hazard.
Use traps and deterrents
There are a variety of traps and deterrents available that can help keep pests away from your outdoor living space. For example, you can use sticky traps to catch flies and other flying insects, or set up a bat house to help control the mosquito population. You can also try using ultrasonic devices to deter rodents such as rats and wild cats.
Add bird feeders and birdhouses to your yard to attract natural predators
Think of these as another variant of traps. While bird houses and feeders dont "catch" or "kill" any animals or insects, they attract something far more effective, natural predators. Birds are a great way to keep the mosquito population down as well as many other flying and crawling insects.
Eliminate standing water
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. So if you have any water features in your yard, make sure they are regularly maintained. If you have a pond, consider stocking it with fish or frogs that will eat mosquito larvae. And don’t forget to empty out any kiddie pools or flower pots when you’re done using them.
Install a patio enclosure
A screen patio or porch can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about bugs. It’s also a great way to shade your outdoor living area, as well as keep your pet contained in one area. If you don’t want to go through the expense of enclosing your entire patio, you can always just get a few portable screens to set up when you want to use them.
Get rid of any insect nests or hives
If you see any insect nests or hives on your property, it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible. Not only will this help reduce the population of that particular type of insect, but it will also help deter other insects from moving in. Be cautious when doing so however, many insects and rodents tend to protect their homes much like you would, so its best to call in professional help if you aren't comfortable or familiar with the process.
Hire a professional pest control company
If you’re really struggling to keep bugs away from your outdoor living space or are nervous about eliminating a nest or hive on your own, you may want to consider hiring a local Salt Lake City pest control company. They will be able to identify any problem areas and come up with a plan to rid your yard of pests for good.
No matter what method you choose, keeping your outdoor living space bug-free is possible with a little patience and effort. But in the end, it’s worth it to be able to enjoy your time outside without worrying about being bitten or stung.