Summertime brings the beach, barbecues, bonfires, and unfortunately… bugs. Those outdoor parties we all associate with summer holidays and warm weekends often include mosquitoes and other insects that did not receive invitations, but still manage to show up. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you keep insects away from your backyard parties this summer.
- Citronella candles may be one of the most obvious choices! Light a few to put around your yard to keep mosquitoes at bay.
- Bug spray is also a well-known remedy. Keep some on hand for your family and your guests, and remind everyone to reapply after they get out of the water.
- Add sage to your bonfire to keep mosquitoes and other insects away from the fire.
- If possible, cover your cups. Use lids, or poke straws through cupcake liners to cover the drink while enjoying it.
- Be sure to cover your food when you’re not eating or serving it. Insects search for food, and yours will attract them.
- Grow lavender in your yard. Lavender has a strong fragrance that will deter moths, flies, mosquitoes, and fleas. If you don’t have a green thumb, dried lavender does the trick, too.
- Lemon grass, garlic, basil, and rosemary also have repelling qualities! Start a fresh herb garden to really send the bugs a message.
- Throw a daytime party. Mosquitoes come out at dusk. Throwing your party a little earlier in the day is one way to ensure they are less likely to come.
- Mow the lawn. Your yard will look nicer and it will be less inviting to insects. Many insects seek tall, overgrown greenery for shelter.
- Lastly, drain or dump standing water. This might not be a possibility if you have a pool or live on the water, but draining kiddie pools, bird baths, gutters, etc. will remove one more thing that attracts pesky mosquitoes.
Following these tips will help you enjoy summer get-togethers with fewer insects to annoy you and your guests.
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