- 1 - Install patio fans
- 2 - Get rid of standing water
- 3 - Keep your yard tidy
- 4 - Add plants that bugs hate
- 5 - Too much of a mulchness (or too little)
- 6 - Paint your home lighter colours
- 7 - Build a bat house
You just finished redecorating your outdoor entertainment area and you cannot wait to plan a backyard picnic with your family.
But those mosquitos are already infiltrating your porch and the ants are having a party of their own on the grass.
It is enough to discourage anyone from ever going outside again.
And what if they decide to go into the house?
Luckily, there are a few simple tricks you can consider in order to chase those pesky bugs away and to make your home bug-free:
1 – Install patio fans
It might not be something that you considered when you first bought the house, but patio fans make all the difference if you want to keep those mosquitoes away.
They might have a tough sting but they are absolute wimps when it comes to a breeze blowing in their direction.
With the flip of a switch, your patio fans will be able to keep those pesky bugs away from you and you’ll have a lovely cool breeze blowing.
2 – Get rid of standing water
Stagnant water is like the maternity ward for mosquitos and other insects.
Clean out your gutters and downspouts frequently, so that clogged up water can be released.
Make sure that any water cans or birdbaths are cleaned frequently and that fresh water is poured in regularly.
3 – Keep your yard tidy
You know what to do here: pull out that lawnmower and grab those shears. It’s gardening time!
Ticks love hiding in long grass and they jump on any moving object, giving them free access into your home.
Having a tidy yard also makes for great curb appeal, so you really have a win-win situation if you do regular garden work.
4 – Add plants that bugs hate
It is possible to have a beautiful garden that is free of bugs and insects.
You just have to be clever about the vegetation you plant in your garden.
Bugs hate strong scents such as citrus or mint so you can mix those scents into your porch plants for added beauty and functionality. Other plants that will keep bugs away include catnip, basil, lavender, citronella, and rosemary.
You can use them in your cooking, too!
5 – Too much of a mulchness (or too little)
Mulching is definitely a great idea to boost the curb appeal of your home but overdoing it can cause problems.
It creates the perfect environment for cockroaches and ants to breed and eventually find their way into your home. The heat that is generated from decomposing mulch draws these insects and it provides cover. It can even help mice find their way into your home.
But don’t forgo mulching all together! Yellow jackets love tunneling into bare dirt.
6 – Paint your home lighter colours
It might sound crazy, but studies have shown that bugs see dark and bright colours more easily.
This is why people are advised to wear bright colours in order to repel them.
Choosing lighter shades for your doors, fencing, patio, or deck might have the same effect on those bugs you are trying to get rid of.
Just be sure that the paint job fits the rest of the neighborhood.
7 – Build a bat house
If you have resident bats in your area, then you can definitely use them to your advantage.
Use their appetite for insects to control the bugs in your yard. If you build a bat house, you are basically inviting them to live in your backyard and it will eventually become their feeding ground.
According to reports, one small bat can consume up to 1,000 mosquitos per hour!
