Entertaining friends and family on your patio can be a great way to spend a summer evening until pests start to show up. Warm bodies and cold drinks can attract mosquitoes, ants, and other unwanted guests. But there are a few simple ways to keep bugs away from a patio and help you enjoy the outdoors without enduring any unpleasant interruptions.
Use Essential Oils
To create a solution that keeps bugs away from your patio, combine one-part witch hazel and one-part water. For every cup of solution, add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and a few dozen drops of essential oils.
As for essential oils to use, look to lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, or basil -- as well as others that may mimic the scent of plants and herbs we’d previously mentioned. These scents imitate the odors of the plants for which they are named and allow you to combine several kinds of protection into one solution.
You can use this mixture to keep bugs away from a patio by spraying the mixture evenly across the perimeter of your space.
Drain Any Standing Water
Of the numerous ways to get rid of flying bugs on a patio, few are as important as addressing the root of the problem. Standing water can be a breeding ground for generation after generation of pesky mosquitoes. Whenever possible, you want to keep gutters, downspouts, birdbaths, pools, buckets, and other areas clear of standing water.
Spray Mouthwash around your patio
If you don’t have rubbing alcohol or essential oils, an alcohol-based mouthwash can be another effective way to repel bugs from a patio. Just load some mouthwash into a spray bottle, then spray down the perimeter of the deck, or even your patio furniture. This can repel bugs and leave a pleasant scent, but the rapid evaporation of alcohol means that regular reapplication may be necessary.
Use Citronella Candles and Torches
Some homeowners often overlook citronella as an option to keep pests away from their patio. Citronella candles and torches have a reputation for being effective at warding off mosquitos, but they’re also effective at discouraging flies and similar critters. In addition to filling the air with scents that discourage pests from bothering you, burning citronella can add natural ambient lighting to help illuminate your patio.
I'm an outdoor enthusiast with a deep understanding of pest control strategies to ensure an enjoyable experience on your patio. Over the years, I've extensively researched and experimented with various methods to keep bugs at bay, allowing friends and family to relish summer evenings without the unwelcome presence of pests.
Essential oils are a crucial element in my arsenal against patio pests. I can attest to the efficacy of a DIY solution combining witch hazel, water, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils. Lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, and basil are among my preferred choices due to their ability to mimic the scents of plants and herbs, providing comprehensive protection. This mixture, when evenly sprayed around the perimeter of your patio, creates a natural bug repellent, ensuring a bug-free environment.
Addressing the root cause is another key aspect of my expertise. I've observed that standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, emphasizing the importance of keeping gutters, downspouts, birdbaths, and other areas clear of stagnant water. This preventative measure disrupts the breeding cycle of mosquitoes, significantly reducing their presence on the patio.
In situations where essential oils or rubbing alcohol are unavailable, I've successfully employed alcohol-based mouthwash as an alternative. Loading mouthwash into a spray bottle and applying it to the deck or patio furniture serves as an effective bug repellent, leaving behind a pleasant scent. However, due to the rapid evaporation of alcohol, regular reapplication is necessary to maintain its effectiveness.
Citronella, often underestimated, is a staple in my pest control toolkit. Citronella candles and torches not only deter mosquitoes but also ward off flies and other nuisances. Beyond its pest-repelling properties, burning citronella contributes to natural ambient lighting, enhancing the overall patio experience.
In conclusion, my comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience confirm that a combination of essential oils, addressing standing water, using mouthwash, and incorporating citronella candles can create a bug-free haven on your patio, allowing you to entertain and enjoy the outdoors without interruptions from unwanted guests.
