Reduce Your Chances Of Being Bitten By Mosquitoes And Other Critters This Summer
Lauren Dunec Hoang1. Eliminate Standing Water2. Control for Larvae in Water Features3. Add Screens4. Use Mosquito Nets5. Install Outdoor Ceiling FansTip:7. Have Bug Repellent on Hand8. Bring Cushions Inside When Not in Use9. Burn Citronella CandlesThe Garden BuildersImportant note: Tell us: More on Houzz
Keep Bugs Off Patio Furniture
Patio furniture is great for lounging and entertaining, but it can also be an excellent home to bugs looking for a warm safe place to hide. This can become a problem, especially if they decide to bring their friends or start a family.
Wicker furniture itself doesnt attract bugs because of the material, but rather because of the many fine holes and cracks.These attract spiders, mites, and beetles because they provide plenty of nesting and sites for them to forage for food. To help keep bugs off your patio furniture, we recommend avoiding wicker.
Regularly cleaning your patio furniture should help keep bugs away. Lift cushions and wipe down every surface with a surface safe cleaner. This will remove and disturb bugs, nests, and eggs, and help to discourage insects from settling in.
How Flies Are Bad For Us
Flies are the carriers of very deadly diseases, they infest meat and other food items, some of their species also spread food poisoning bacteria like Salmonella enteritidis.
The habitat of a fly makes it perfectly suited for spreading diseases. Fly is a restless insect, it moves back and forth between food and filth and this helps it in spreading infections faster.
It is attracted to the food by its sense of smell, however, it cannot eat solid food. When it reaches the food it vomits on the solid food and creates a solution of it, then sucks it and thus contaminates the food.
Below, I have highlighted some diseases that are caused by flies:
- Flies can cause typhoid and paratyphoid fevers.
- They can also spread some other diseases like diarrhea and dysentery, cholera, conjunctivitis, etc. by mechanical contamination.
- Other diseases carried by house flies include salmonella, anthrax, and tuberculosis.
- They are also known to transmit the eggs of parasitic worms.
- Sandflies found in South America, Africa, and Europe are carriers of a micro-organism responsible for a disease that eats away the human skin. This disease is known as Leishmaniasis.
Before moving further, lets see the life cycle of a fly.
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Find Out What Attracts Spiders
Finding out what attracts spiders should be the top priority for anyone looking to permanently eliminate spiders on the porch or deck. After all, if you only get rid of the spiders and not what brought them to your house, others will easily move into the spaces left.
The first thing that attracts spiders to your patio is food. After all, theyre not going to live somewhere they are guaranteed to starve. Worth noting is that they tend to appreciate a good helping of insects every now and then. As such, if your patio is rife with flies, cockroaches, moths, mosquitoes, and more, youre much more likely to have a rising spider population.
Another thing that attracts bugs is light. They tend to use natural light from the sun to navigate, and they cant tell the difference between the lights on your patio and natural light. They will thus try to navigate towards them, and this is inclusive of the spiders as well. As such, the spiders will follow both the light and the other bugs heading towards the light and end up killing two birds with one stone.
The last thing to attract spiders to your patio is a habitable space. They tend to be drawn to cracks, crevices, and other spots where they can hide and wait for prey to come waltzing about. Crevices, gutters, and cracks are particularly popular hiding spots for many spider species.
Install Bat & Birdhouses
Bats love eating insects, and if youre ok with having a few around, a bat house can be a really effective way to keep your area bug-free. There are pre-designed birdhouses and bat boxes that can be purchased online. Make sure to keep them a little farther away from your porch. You can enjoy nature without having it right on your doorstep.
If you have reached the point of a full blown infestation, more drastic measures to remove them and keep them gone will be necessary. Spider nests, abandoned webs, debris from wasps and other insects are the signs that you may need to talk to a professional to help you remove the infestation and keep it from coming back.
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Thermacell Cambridge Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield Lantern
This product might just look like your average patio lantern, but its also an effective bug-repelling device. The creates an invisible barrier against mosquitoes in a 15-ft. area using its heat-activated repellent mats. Its silent and odor-free, and Amazon reviewers absolutely love it.
I live by a lake, and as such during the summers mosquitoes are unbearable, writes one Amazon reviewer. My sister-in-law bought the zapper and although it works, its a mess of mosquito carcasses, and you cant help but hear the zing of dying mosquitoes! We used this and although we have a pretty small backyard, my husband was untouched while grilling. Its also super cute!
How To Keep Spiders Away From Patio Furniture
Do you know how to keep spiders away from patio furniture? We have a couple of chaise lounges with wooden frames that spiders seem to love. It gives our guests such a fright.
Bella Antonio, Houston
I can definitely give you some tips on how to keep spiders away from your patio furniture. One of the easiest methods is to use a scent that repels spiders, like peppermint. Mix up a spray with peppermint oil in water and treat your patio furniture on a regular basis. Peppermint has the additional benefit of deterring other unwanted pests like mice, too.
Besides mint, there are several other scents or smells that keep spiders away. You can see the full list of other ways to keep spiders away from your patio:
For example, both oranges and cedar chips can also help keep spiders away. You might consider rubbing orange or other citrus peels on the furniture. Or simply laying down cedar chips around the edges of your patio can deter spiders from entering there. Either way, both smells are pleasant to humans, so they shouldnt cause any problems for you.
I hope these ideas keep your patio free from spiders.
Joan
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How To Prevent Flies In Drains
Drains clogged with organic matter can attract flies and other insects. Clearing the clog and cleaning the drain is a good start for eliminating the problem. Follow these steps to get rid of flies in drains and keep them out.
Simple Tips to Get Rid of Drain Flies
- Use a plunger or drain cleaning tool to clear out clogged drains.
- Clean the drain with a stiff brush and an antibacterial drain cleaner. Clean regularly until the fly infestation is gone.
- Treat your drains with Gentrol , an insecticide that interrupts the fly maturation process.
Cover Food And Throw Out Waste
During any outdoor party, youre bound to accumulate waste. Empty plates, used cutlery, spent food packaging, and all sorts of other bits and pieces that you might be tempted to deal with once the guests have gone home.
But flies are attracted to food scraps and youll only increase the chances of having a swarm descend on you and your party.
Keep food covered once it comes off the BBQ and you should see fewer unwanted visitors.
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Commercial Spider Repellent Sprays
There are plenty of options when it comes to commercial spider repellents and killers. Some, of course, are insecticides, which you should avoid if you have pets of children that may get into them. Others are all-natural and safe for use around pets. Its up to you which way you go. Heres one of each that I recommend.
- Miss Muffets Revenge This pesticide is good for both indoor and outdoor protection. Simply follow the instructions on the label to protect your patio and home from spiders.
- Mighty Mint Spider Repellent This all-natural, non-toxic repellent is essentially the same spray that you can make at home. For those who dont have essential oil handy or dont want to bother mixing it. However, you have to spray this around the patio every few days for it to work effectively, just like a homemade spray.
Citronella To Repel Bugs
Citronella is well known for keeping bugs away. It can come in the form of oil or in the form of a candle.
You can even use the oil and wax to make candles on your own at home. You need to make sure that you dont use paraffin here. It is best to use soy wax due to the fact that paraffin has a high-density of hydrocarbon.
Hydrocarbon can cause irritation to the eyes.
Many people dont mind the smell of citronella. You should be aware however that the smell can be quite potentate.
You can make the candles yourself. This will allow you the ability to add other scents.
You can use scents such as peppermint or even citrus. Adding these scents will help to make it smell more pleasing to you.
Citronella has been used as a natural bug repellent for many, many years. It is sure to continue to be around as it really does seem to work effectively.
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Spray Mouthwash Around Your Patio
If you dont 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.
Paint Your Home Lighter Colors
Studies show that bugs see dark and bright colors more easily, which is why people are often advised to wear light-colored clothing to repel them. The same principle may work for your home.
Choose lighter shades of paint color for your home’s siding, doors, trim, and other features such as fencing, patio, and decking to make it less attractive to mosquitoes.
And if pesky birds are a problem, avoid paint that is the same color as their favorite foods.
Just be sure the paint job fits into the neighborhood and enhances your home’s beauty. Bugs are a pain, but hurting your home’s value is more painful.
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Keep Your Yard Trimmed Mowed And Tidy
Pull out that lawnmower regularly, and keep your garden shears sharpened.
Ticks like to hide in tall grass and wait for a passing human or animal, while bushes or tree limbs touching the home can provide easy access for pests to get indoors, says Campbell.
Plus having a tidy yard makes for good curb appeal.
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How Do You Keep Bugs Off Your Wicker Patio Furniture
As with spiders, the key to keeping bugs at bay is to prevent them from moving in . This means good and regular housekeeping. Wed recommend vacuuming your furniture to suck dust and dirt out of all those little crevices. Then, wash it with water and a gentle soap.
Dip an old toothbrush in the soapy water, then use it to reach inside those little gaps. Yes, we know this sounds tedious, but trust us, its far easier than trying to evict a large family of Bostrichid powderpost beetle. Choose a sunny day, pour a nice juice, put on some music, and get to work with the toothbrush .
If you have outdoor cushions on your wicker couch and chairs, check them regularly for signs of infestation, and try to put them away at night. When you store your furniture and cushions over winter, make sure theyre bug-free first.
In spite of all these magnificent efforts, sometimes a bug or two gets through, and decides to start a family in your furniture. Bad luck. However, as with the spiders, there are plenty of natural remedies you can try.
But If you have a wasp or bee family move in, best to call in the pest experts. You really dont want to get into a tenancy argument with anything that has a sting.
Like their spider neighbors, most bugs hate mint, so a mint spritz will deal with both types of pests. A water and vinegar spray is another good deterrent .
Lighting attracts insects, so keep your patio lights off when you dont need them, and think about switching to a warmer bulb .
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Use Blue Light Bulbs To Relocate Flies
Flies may hate yellow but they love blue. A recent study at the University of Florida for the Department of Defense showed that flies are more likely to be attracted to something that is blue. So if you are going to use one of those light traps that has blue lights be sure to hang it as far away from where the flies are being a nuisance as possible. This will draw the flies to it and away from where you dont want them.
Was this information helpful? Please comment below and share your experiences. We would love to hear from you. For more expert pest control tips, check out our guide.
Essential Oils And Natural Repellents
Price says essential oils and other natural repellents can be effective deterrents. Eucalyptus or lemon eucalyptus oil spray can be diluted in a carrier oil or bought in a spray solution thinned with water. But use caution it can be toxic to pets.
Versatile and virulent to insects, lavender can be a fantastic addition to the arsenal, Price says. Its safe for topical use on all ages, including infants, and lethal to ticks, mosquitoes and their eggs. Thyme oil and its leaves are also great for preventing mosquitoes, especially malaria-ridden ones.
Add thyme leaves to your campfire for a pleasant fragrance and to keep pests away. Last, mince garlic, mix with mineral oil, allow to soak overnight, then put in a spray bottle. This mixture can be sprayed directly on skin, pets, or on plants to keep ticks away.
via amazon.com
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Get Rid Of Hiding Spots And Crevices
Make your furniture as uninviting as possible for pests by having very few places for them to hide. Insects, bugs, and furrier critters love clutter. Stacks, boxes, and debris provide lots of shade and tend to accumulate moisture, turning your furniture into a comfortable palace for pests and other unwanted creatures.
Does Wicker Patio Furniture Attract Spiders
Imagine the scenario you invite some friends round for dinner and they sit down on the wicker outdoor chairs. Then suddenly one of them screams and leaps up loads of tiny spiders running down her arm. Alarming I know, but it could happen.
Wicker patio furniture definitely does attract spiders. They love hiding in it, find it easy to weave their webs in, around and under it and all those gaps between the rattan make the perfect place for hundreds of baby spiders to hatch.
So lets look in more detail at why spiders and other bugs love your wicker outdoor furniture, and dive into some ways of deterring them from making your patio chairs their permanent home.
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Keep Water Bugs Away With A Natural Solution
Baking soda and powdered sugar are the only two ingredients you need when trying to learn how to keep water bugs away. This is an extremely simple, two-part mixture that specifically targets water bugs.
Just mix together equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar and sprinkle it on the areas where you see lots of bugs. Youll be thrilled once you see your patio responding so well to an easy, natural solution.
How To Keep Bugs Out Of Outdoor Storage
If you have bugs getting into your outdoor storage , there are some steps you can take to keep them out.
For starters, Id suggest switching over to plastic or airtight storage containers.
These are slightly pricier than using cardboard boxes, but there is a multitude of benefits.
Plastic containers can withstand heat, rain, wind, snow, and pretty much all weather conditions while cardboard will break down naturally over time. If youve ever opened up a box and got hit in the face with a billow of dust just to see silverfish running around, you know what I mean.
Those pests can squeeze through the smallest cracks or even chew through cardboard, so you should avoid using boxes to store your stuff.
Plastic containers also offer a complete seal. You can use any old Rubbermaid container or plastic storage crate to keep your stuff safe and stop bugs from getting in.
Theyll have a much harder time chewing through a thick layer of plastic, and your stuff will be protected from all elements outdoors.
Note that sunlight CAN make plastic brittle and break it down over time, but this is a slow process and you shouldnt be storing your stuff directly in the sunlight, to begin with. Use a tarp to protect them .
If youre really paranoid about bugs eating your old books, CDs, movies, films, magazines, antiques, or whatever else you keep in storage, get airtight containers.
Lastly, dont use boxes because theyre not secure.
Of course, make sure it doesnt damage your stored goods.
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