Keeping your patio bug free is easier than you think. Say goodbye to those mosquitoes and ticks this summer with these ten tips to drive bugs away
Summer is in full swing! With warm sunny days and sultry nights, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the weather. If you have a patio or a nice yard, all the better.
But you might find yourself enjoying the outdoors a little less when there’s bugs aplenty. Flies, mosquitoes, bees and other pesky buggers - read for useful tips to keep your home and yard bug free.
Make your patio or yard a haven for you, but not the bugs, during the summer months (and beyond) by keeping it clean. Wipe away any spilled liquid or crumbs of food when you dine on the patio. These can not only stain if left too long, but they can also attract ants, flies, and other pests to your space.
This seems like a no-brainer, we know.
Bees like to forage for food in trash bins. To reduce the risk of bee stings, keep trash bins away from your patio area, and of course, keep them tightly covered.
This is not only for curb appeal. A well maintained yard can keep ticks and other bugs from building a colony in your yard. Ticks can hide in tall grass. Make sure to mow your lawn regularly to keep them at bay.
Also make sure that tree branches or bushes are trimmed so they do not touch your house. Any tree limb or branch can become a bridge for pests to get indoors into your home.
Speaking of yards, it’s also a good idea to keep your mulch in good condition. Too much mulch can give you a problem with cockroaches or ants because they provide the ideal growing environment for these bugs. This can also help mice tunnel into your home.
To keep this from happening, we suggest keeping mulch at least 12 inches away from your home’s foundation, or use rock or gravel for mulch in the areas up against your house.
On the flip side, doing away with mulch altogether leaves your ground bare and you may find yourself with yellow jackets that make their nests in tunnels in bare dirt.
Here’s an eco-friendly way to keep your yard bug free. Plant herbs, flowers, and other shrubs that have pest repelling qualities. Not only do they keep those pesky bugs away, they make your yard attractive, as well. Some can even be used for cooking. Here are just a few suggestions:
You may alternatively grow plants that attract pollinators. Imagine having butterflies or dragonflies flitting about your garden while keeping it bug free and clear of pests.
If you hate the idea of bug sprays, here’s one that you can use from your bathroom - mouthwash! Bugs hate the strong scent of mint. Keep your patio bug free by spraying mint-flavored mouthwash on tables, chairs, and even the patio perimeter.
This is not only effective as a bleach, it can be combined with water to create a spray mixture that can be used as a pest repellent. Keep bugs away by carefully spraying patio surfaces and the perimeter, taking care not to get it into food or drinks.
Combine eucalyptus or lavender oil with water in a spray bottle and use it around your patio to create a pesticide-free bug barrier. Since it’s essential oil, you can also safely use it on yourself as a bug spray when you’re out and about working in your yard.
If you can’t plant citronella, try using citronella torches or candles to repel flies and mosquitoes. They hate the stuff!
Don’t allow water to accumulate in watering cans, pails, or buckets. These make ideal places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. Be sure to regularly clean out gutters and downspouts where water can get trapped when the gutters and downspouts get clogged.
If you have a birdbath in your yard, it’s ideal that it has running water. If this is not possible, you can use mosquito dunks that keep mosquitoes from reproducing.
Never heard of a mosquito dunk? Mosquito dunks provide biological mosquito control; they contain Bti, a natural mosquito larvicide, which kills mosquito larvae, but is harmless to birds, fish, wildlife, and pets. Simply place a mosquito dunk in any standing water to control mosquito larvae for up to 30 days.
Here’s a secret - mosquitoes and flies are really not strong fliers. Blow them away by installing circulating fans in your patio. They keep your outdoor entertaining space bug free while keeping you and your guests cool and comfortable.
While you may prefer darker colors for your home, studies show that bugs more readily see dark and bright colors. If you’re repainting your home, we suggest using lighter shades of paint for your sidings, doors, or trim and other parts such as fences or decks to make them less prone to the onset of mosquitoes.
These are just some of the ways you can keep bugs away from your yard and patio. Do you have your own creative way of getting rid of these pesky buggers? Email us at info@team5starrestore.com and let us know!
While we are not in the business of pest control, we hope we’ve offered you helpful and practical tips to keep your home and yard bug free for the summer.
What we are experts in, however, is water damage and mold remediation. If you have recently experienced flooding and water damage, call Five Star Restoration for quick response. We have technicians on standby ready to respond 24/7 for all types of water damage emergencies.
Here’s what we do for you:
We do a thorough check to determine what type and extent of water damage you have experienced in your home.
After initial diagnostics, our team works quickly to dry and sanitize the affected area in your home. This minimizes the risk of mold growth. We ensure that your home is safe for occupancy in the soonest possible time.
When mold may be an issue, we can test your home for mold and if needed, conduct mold remediation to protect you and your family from its harmful effects.
If needed, we safely remove any flooring, carpets, or walls that have been damaged and work to have your home repaired quickly.
Water damage restoration can become costly. If you have a coverable loss, we properly document the work and work directly with your insurance adjuster to get your water damage or mold remediation claim filed and paid.
Five Star Restoration gives you invaluable insurance assistance so you keep your stress levels to a minimum while dealing with the situation.
Call us at (951) 368-2227.
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