National Hop-A-Park Day: Keep Bugs from Bothering You as You Celebrate on July 6th

NATIONAL HOP-A-PARK DAY

Held on the first Saturday of July, this year it falls on July 6th, 2019.

Hop-a-Park Day is a national Day which encourages you to get outside and enjoy your local parks. It’s a great opportunity to get together with loved ones and create some memories outdoors. These outside gatherings are fun but tend to be interrupted by mosquitoes, flies, and ants.

Whether you’re walking your pups or having a picnic with your family, here are some tips to keep you and your family safe from summertime pests.

 

HERE ARE SOME TIPS

Use Insect Repellant

Prevention is the best medicine. It seems easy, but to make sure you’re using it effectively, Consumer Reports has this guide for applying bug spray properly.

If you’re walking your doggies, there are insect repellents available just for them. Just be sure not to spray insect repellents made for humans on your pups as these can be toxic for animals.

For natural repellent options, check our post here.

 

Pick Your Spot Carefully

If you’re having a picnic, be sure to choose your location wisely. Picking a spot near a trash can, flowers, or standing water will increase your chances of being bothered by bugs.

If possible, choose an open space with the opportunity for a breeze and away from anthills. 

 

Create a Barrier

You can pour chalk powder, talcum powder, or diatomaceous earth in a circle around your picnic space to create a barrier for ants.

Ants don’t like to walk through powdery substances. They’d rather leave you alone than walk through the powder to get to food.

 

Bait Stations

You can draw mosquitos and flies away from your picnic site by baiting them with sugar water or juice.

If you place a cup of sugary liquid in a container well away from where you’re eating, these flying pests will be attracted there instead of to you!

 

Keep Food Covered

One of the most important things you can do while picnicking is to keep your food and drinks covered.

Covering food with lids, saran wrap, foil, and mesh food covers are useful for keeping bugs out.

Travel mugs with lids work best for keeping drinks covered.

 

Want to participate but not sure where to go? Here are some ideas. 

If you decide to celebrate this Hop-a-Park Day, use #NationalHopaParkDay to share photos of your outdoor adventures!