6 Ways to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Backyard This Summer
What do you think about when you think of summer? Vacations, hot temperatures, sunscreen, spending time with family, hanging out in the backyard, and mosquito bites?
While there are a lot of reasons why most people enjoy the summer months, backyard pests are not one of them. Each year, people take on the great outdoors during summer months only to find themselves back inside once bugs start making it unbearable.
Here are a few tips to help you take back your backyard!
Prevent Bugs From Making a Home in Your Yard
Using a number of prevention or exclusion techniques is probably one of the best ways to keep bugs out of your lawn and your home.
Start out by removing any areas with standing water. Check to see if there are any buckets, trash containers, or items that may be gathering water. Remove the water and try your best to keep these items from filling back up. It’s also a good idea to keep your gutters clean. Clogged gutters often fill up with water and create a breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes.
In addition to standing water, it’s also a good idea to remove any trash and debris from around your lawn. Pests and insects love hiding places, and by keeping your yard as tidy as possible, it eliminates places for them to build nests and congregate.
Add a Few Items to Your Outdoor Living Space
Do you have an outdoor living area like a gazebo or patio with a table and chairs? If so, you may want to look into making a few additions to your outdoor space.
Add a Fan
Did you know that mosquitoes are not strong fliers? That’s right! Adding a small fan will not only give you a nice breeze during the summer heat but a fan can also help keep mosquitoes away. Fans also help keep the smells from the grill or your food away from the eating area and can greatly reduce the number of flying insects who want to see what’s for dinner.
Go Yellow
Insects are attracted to bright lights. If you use a light in your outdoor area at night, you should try changing out the bulbs to a yellow or LED light bulb. The yellow light keeps most insects from attacking the bulb and invading your space.
Get a Green Thumb
Most insects and pests are attracted to certain areas because they offer either food or shelter. The smell of burgers on the grill or a nice sweet tea is enough to send out an invitation to all bugs to come and visit. By covering up the smells or replacing the enticing aromas with a smell that pests find unattractive, you create an environment that is not very welcoming to bugs.
A good way to do this naturally is by using plants that are considered natural bug repellents. There are quite a few plants out there that can do this. Some are even supposed to keep away other critters like spiders. Here are a few of the natural bug repellent plants. They include lemongrass, lavender, basil, garlic, marigold, and catnip.
Use Citronella
Most people already have citronella candles and torches ready to go once outside temps rise above 75 degrees. This is a popular option for many people because citronella is safe and non-toxic to humans and animals.
Essential oils are also another alternative. Specific oils are known to repel certain bugs. Peppermint and lemon repel mosquitos. Rosewood and thyme repel ticks and tea tree and lavender are said to repel fleas.
Hire a Professional Pest Control Service
Bugs are no joke during the summer. And bugs that bite, like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and ants, can ruin a special summer outing. If you have tried a variety of different things you’ve seen posted by friends on Facebook and you’re still getting bite after bite, it may be time to call in the professionals.
At Hopper Termite & Pest, we are your go-to backyard bug zappers. Our technicians are trained in the latest methods for getting rid of mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and any other pests that may be keeping you from enjoying quality time with friends and family and getting a little fresh air.
We are certified both in Arkansas and Missouri. From Fayetteville to Mountain Home and everywhere in between, Hopper Termite & Pest is here to help eliminate your bug problem and give you peace of mind. To schedule a FREE PEST EVALUATION, give us a call at (870)425-4122. Let our highly trained technicians visit your property and create a plan specific to your location and needs.