7 Tips to Deter Bugs in Your Yard

When the weather starts to improve and you want to spend more time outdoors, it may seem like the bugs come out in swarms. Controlling bug bites away from home will depend mostly on proper application of repellent, but there are several things you can do at home to make your yard less attractive to bugs.

1. Maintain the landscape – Bugs and mosquitoes love long grass, so keep your lawn groomed to eliminate some of their favorite gathering spots. Keeping bushes near the house trimmed will help as well.
2. Eliminate standing water – Nothing will attract mosquitoes quicker than puddles of water. While you may not be able to completely prevent standing water after heavy rain, a yard with proper slope and pitch can reduce puddling.
3. Natural mosquito repellent – With a quick Internet search, you will find many natural oils that help keep mosquitoes away.
4. Mosquito-repellent plants – The smell from certain varieties of common plants such as marigolds and geraniums can repel mosquitoes. Citronella grass, catnip plants, and mint are also effective deterrents.
5. Lawn applications – You can hire a company to apply products to your lawn and bushes for mosquito control, or you can use over-the-counter products and do it yourself. This helps control larva as well as matured pests.
6. Localized bug repellent – Citronella candles and non-toxic foggers or zappers can be effective for controlling bugs in smaller areas like decks and patios.
7. Bug-free structures – If bugs are a big problem, you can also look to protect a deck or patio by enclosing the space with screening or other material. While this approach is more costly, it will yield immediate and more permanent results.

The methods you choose will depend largely on your space and the type of activities you are looking to do. While some of these tips might work better than others, we see no harm in trying a few! While a bug-free yard is a big undertaking, there are small steps you can take. 

What are some tricks you have found to be effective in deterring mosquitoes?

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/kinds-of-natural-mosquito-repellant 

https://www.consumerreports.org/insect-repellent/do-natural-insect-repellents-work/

https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html#:~:text=Known%20for%20its%20distinct%20smell,to%20keep%20mosquitoes%20at%20bay.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/mosquito-myth-busting/

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/11-natural-bug-repellents-worth-trying/