You can never go wrong with throwing a backyard or patio bash during the warmer months. A break from a cramped indoor celebration provides the partygoers with some fresh air. However, nothing wrecks a backyard party faster than mosquitoes, aside from red ants and biting flies. Mosquitoes may be a real nuisance at a backyard party, especially if you have many of them flying around. However, there are different safe ways to stop these annoying pests from ruining your well-planned backyard party; insecticide isn’t necessary to get rid of irritating bugs like mosquitoes and flies when you’re outside enjoying the weather. The following is a list of helpful tactics that can be used to get rid of those pesky party crashers.
1. Bug Lantern or Citronella Torches
Bug lanterns draw insects to the light, where they are zapped to death. Put your feet up, unwind, and take pleasure in your meal while an insect lamp is positioned away from the table. Nowadays, these lights may be obtained in several appealing styles, which can be an added attraction to your party. Moreover, you may also use tiki torches all year round, not only during summer. While mosquitoes are deterred by citronella fuel, this one adds a festive atmosphere. Decorate your patio with a few ornamental torches for your table and around the perimeter.
2. Candles
Candles that are scented with geraniol or citronella provide a relaxing atmosphere and are popular choices for outdoor gatherings. They’re cheap, they work, and they smell good. Thanks to their high-quality materials, these stylish candles are more durable than they appear to be. A 50-hour burn time is more than enough to keep your outdoor dinner parties safe all summer long.
3. Mosquito Net
You will not only keep insects at bay with the help of a mosquito net, but it can also
add aesthetics to your outdoor party. You might make the backyard of your home into a
more intimate setting for your next dinner party by using a net.
4. Use Essential Oils or Citrus/Orange Fruit Peels
You may produce a spray out of orange peels that will keep insects like ants, aphids, and mosquitoes away from your garden and the party you are throwing. Many recipes are available, including a simple one that can be made straight away by boiling orange peels in water for a short period. Pour the water into a spray bottle and let it cool before adding the orange peels. Orange peel extract can also be used to destroy mosquito larvae, according to a study published in Science Daily in 2017.
Citronella essential oil can be mixed with eucalyptus essential oil and lavender essential oil in a spray bottle for a simple and highly effective way of getting rid of insects. This is a natural insect repellent that you may apply to yourself or to the edge of your patio to keep pests away from your outdoor space.
5. Lawnmower
When it comes to keeping insects at bay when you are hosting guests in your
garden, a straightforward lawnmower can go a long way toward achieving this goal. Maintaining your lawn trimmed and dry is essential since insects are drawn to long grass and weeds. Mosquitoes will swarm at any location where there is standing water.
6. Change outdoor lighting
If you’re holding an evening outdoor, you should take note that, during the night,
swarms of insects tend to be drawn to lights, particularly white bulb lights. Therefore,
replace your lawn, backyard, or garden lights with yellow or sodium vapor bulbs for that
outdoor get-together. The likelihood of bugs being attracted to these lights is lower, and it
will give out a cozy vibe at your party.
7. Plant Bug or Insect Repelling Plants
Herbs like mint, garlic, rosemary, lemongrass, and chives are among the most
effective when it comes to warding off insects in your backyard. Put these plant wonders
in a planters and set them in a garden just outside your patio to prevent uninvited guests
from entering your home and ruining your next outdoor get-together. Not only will they
prevent unwanted pests from entering your home, but you can also use the herbs to add
more flavor to the meal you prepare for your next BBQ party.
Here are some common herbs and plants that you may think of planting to ward off insects during summer outdoor parties and to give you peace of mind while lounging on your patio or backyard.
1. Petunias. Insects that try to devour these brightly colored beauties are armed with alkaloid compounds that act as “chemical weapons.” These plants are commonly used to ward off squash bugs, beetles, and aphids, among other pesky garden invaders.
2. Basil. Basil is a common favorite bug-killing plant out of all of them. In addition to being a beneficial ingredient in cooking, basil has oil that destroys mosquito eggs—plant basil in pots near gathering spots to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay. You may also use it to make pesto!
3. Marigolds. Farmers typically put these beautiful, sun-loving plants near their most valuable crops to keep pests away. It turns out that these plants released limonene, an airborne chemical that defends against flies, which keep mosquitoes and aphids away from your property.
4. Lavender. Even though it makes us feel better, helps us sleep better, and smells great on our bed sheets, the same perfume is repellent to flies, moths, and mosquitoes. Keep a few bouquets on hand to ward off pests if you’re hosting a sunny garden party.
5. Mint. The perfume of mint helps repel biting insects of all kinds and is one of our species’ more pleasant-smelling plants (together with its cousin, lemon balm). It’s better to grow mint in containers because it will quickly outgrow the rest of your plants.
6. Chrysanthemums. To keep insects like mosquitoes, roaches, beetles, ticks, cockroaches, and silverfish at bay, many insect repellents contain the naturally occurring pyrethrins, which may be found in chrysanthemums.
7. Alliums. This category includes chives, leeks, onions, garlic, scallions, and shallots. In addition to their attractive purple, white, or pink flowers and lectins, these plants deter slugs, flies, and worms from harming your other vegetables and ruining your party. However, if you’re a pet lover, you should take note that, allium plants, such as garlic and onions can be particularly harmful to pets like dogs and cats.
8. Lemongrass contains citronella, a type of oil that has a slightly citrusy scent. Due to its demand for a lot of sunlight, lemongrass is a summer staple for most of us.
Having an outside patio is a wonderful way to enjoy the weather and socialize with friends and family. But fly and other creepy-crawly pests are the worst things that could happen to your outdoor celebrations. It’s not uncommon for these bugs to be a nuisance simply because they’re unpleasant and disgusting. Midges and mosquitoes, for example, can be a nuisance if they bite you or your guests. It is possible to keep pests at bay by combining or employing the approaches listed above.