7 Top Tips For Keeping Mosquitoes At Bay When Hosting Outdoors This Summer

It’s that incessant buzz you just can’t quite shake… Mosquitoes and flies are a pain when it comes to entertaining outdoors in summer. No one can deny the deep disdain for flying insects when you’re just trying to enjoy dinner and the sunset. It’s super easy to prevent mosquitoes and other bugs indoors especially if you have plastic strip doors installed. But, what options do we have for outdoors?

When the weather is good, there is nothing better than sitting on your patio and enjoying the fire and food of a good barbecue with family and friends. As the sun starts to set, however, your fun can turn to frustration when you’re surrounded with swarms of mosquitoes and flying insects. Hoping to find new ways to keep these bugs at bay? Here’s 7 tips on how you can keep mosquitoes, and other bugs, away from your beautiful backyard.

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Tip Number 1: Remove Stagnant Water

Mosquitoes are able to use as little as a filled bottle cap as a breeding ground, so any and all stagnant water can become an issue and increase the number of mosquitoes at night. Regularly check any areas that tend to pool water, such as:

Plant Saucers
Barrels and Other Water Catching Tools
Watering Cans
Kiddie Pools
Buckets

Swimming pools remain an exception as mosquitoes aren’t a fan of chlorine.

Be sure to regularly empty out any places that can collect water on your patio and in your garden.

Tip Number 2: Regularly Use Repellent

Especially when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away from your skin, a good bug repellent is essential. Whether a lotion or spray, there are a lot of options on the market that will help to keep mosquitoes away from you.

However, most creams and aerosols are not long-lasting, so be sure to apply before and during the evening.

Tip Number 3: Get Creative in the Kitchen

There are actually multiple everyday household items that can help you to deter mosquitoes. Everyday items like garlic and coffee grounds are great to use.

Next time, pop a little extra garlic into your meal or marinade as the smell will drive off mosquitoes. This will also help keep them off your skin.

Things like coconut oil and neem oil are also well known to deter insects.

Tip Number 4: Light Up Your Life with a Bug Repellent Candle

Candles are an eco-conscious way to help deter mosquitoes from your patio and garden. Plus, they add awesome ambient lighting when you’re hosting.

You’ll notice most products on the market are citronella based because it works really well.

Still, there are a bunch of other essential oils that have mosquito repellent qualities, including:

Lemon
Rosemary
Sage
Peppermint
Cinnamon
Lavender

Tip Number 5: Couple Your Candle with a Ceiling Fan

Homes in tropical areas don’t only have ceiling fans for the heat. Installing a ceiling fan is a great way to ward off bugs and mosquitoes, especially when coupled with a good candle.

The gusts of air are too strong to fly through for mosquitoes, so anywhere under the fan radius should be pest-free. Add a candle to or two to the mix and your fan will help spread the scent to fend off any eager mozzies.

Tip Number 6: Cultivate Some Clever Plants

Spring and summer are great times to start planting and growing new plants. Why not consider adding a few plants known to deter mosquitoes? It’s a natural and beautiful way to keep away mosquitoes and add to your landscaping.

Some of the best mosquito repellent plants, beside citronella, include:

Holy Basil
Mint
Marigolds
Lavender
Beebalm
Catnip

Tip Number 7: If You Can’t Beat ‘Em Zap ‘Em

There are a lot of electric options to help you get rid of mosquitoes around your patio and garden. From handheld devices to lanterns to hang, there are a lot of varieties that will essentially eliminate your pest problem.

It’s simple and effective, but also fatal for all the bugs and mosquitoes.

Newer mosquito repellent technology offers no-shock electric systems that can help to keep mosquitoes and bugs away without harming them. Their effectiveness is yet to be proven though.

When it comes to keeping mosquitoes away, there really are lots of little things you can do to keep your patio pest-free.

Some experts also recommend treating your patio with some insect repellent the day before you entertain, to give you a sure-fire advantage.

The best way to keep mosquitoes at bay this summer is to make sure you’ve got some candles and a fan at hand, as well as a good amount of bug repellent. Be sure to check any areas that may collect water and if all else fails, a good zap will do the trick.