During the warm summer months, many Texans love entertaining outdoors. Pool parties, barbecues, and small get-togethers with friends, family, and neighbors are common.
You know what else is common? Pests! It’s not uncommon for mosquitoes, flies, ants, bees, and other insects to ruin a fun day outdoors, especially when the weather is nice. These pests can easily put a damper on even the most fun party. You can prevent this, though, by planning ahead and pest-proofing your patio area so you can keep out unwanted visitors.
Ready to plan your next party? If so, be sure to include pest control on your to-do list. Here are some tips to keep the bugs at bay.
Add Some Plants
Not only do plants make lovely party decorations, but they can serve a purpose as well. Many types of plants help repel insects, keeping your party pest-free. The plants you need depend on the type of bug you want to repel. For example, chrysanthemums are good if you want to keep ants out of your patio area. Basil is good for getting rid of flies. Struggle with moths? Break out the lavender. For mosquitoes, you have a few options, including basil, marigold, rosemary, citronella, lavender, lemon thyme, and geranium.
Get Rid of Standing Water
Puddles, small pools, and other standing water attract mosquitoes and other pests. You can avoid having these pests ruin your party by dumping over buckets of water and getting rid of puddles. Even the smallest containers can serve as breeding grounds for insects, so inspect your patio area and look for planters, toys, buckets, and other items that can store even the smallest amount of water.
Maintain Your Yard
Bugs like to hide in tall grasses and trees, so a good way to keep bugs away is to keep your yard well-maintained. Keep bushes and trees trimmed. Mow the lawn regularly to keep grass short (under 3 inches tall is ideal). Once you cut down limbs and bushes, dispose of them to keep bugs away.
Clean Up Debris
Along the same line, you want to keep your patio area clean. During your party or outdoor event, it may be a good idea to keep things tidy. Sweep up spilled food right away. Clean up spilled drinks promptly. If you have outdoor trash cans, keep them away from the patio area and empty them regularly to avoid attracting pests.
Use Citronella
Citronella candles and torches are known for being able to ward off mosquitoes, but they’re also effective at repelling flies and similar critters. Citronella is also useful for adding natural lighting to help illuminate your patio, which can be great for partying after dark.
Change Your Lighting
Bugs’ eyesight helps them see blue, purple, and even ultraviolet light. However, their visual range does not allow them to see warmer colors, like red or orange. Therefore, if you want to keep bugs out, swap out the daylight white bulbs and use warmer ones instead. Yellow or sodium vapor bulbs are good options. Bugs are attracted to bright lights, so avoid using bulbs that are any brighter than you need.
Install Screens
If you want to keep pests away from food, you may be able to do so by keeping food in a screened-in area. A screen around your patio area can keep food and guests safe from the effects of mosquitoes, flies, bees, and other annoying insects. Just make sure the screens are secure and have no holes that allow bugs to get in and ruin your party.
Keep Food Indoors as Much as Possible
Let’s face it: food attracts pests. You may not even see any mosquitoes, flies, or bees until the food comes out. Flies are especially good at finding food sources, so it may be a good idea to keep all food in the kitchen area for serving instead of putting everything outdoors and creating a feast for pests. The same goes for barbecuing. Keep the meat inside until it’s ready to go on the grill. There’s no need to keep it outside for any more than a few minutes before grilling.
Be Mindful of Wooden Tables and Decks
Some pests, such as carpenter bees and carpenter ants, are attracted to wood. Wasps also love to build nests in wood, so it’s a good idea to keep your deck or other wooden area sealed or painted to make it less attractive. If you have any decaying wood on your porch or deck, repair or remove it promptly. You should also check around furniture for nests, since decaying wood is an ideal nesting material for carpenter ants. Also, look for wasp nests under eaves, under outdoor furniture, and under deck boards, and in grills to avoid getting stung.
Get Professional Pest Control
If all else fails, it may be time to get professional pest control. Don’t try to eradicate pests on your own. This can lead to safety issues for you and your family. Plus, it could make matters worse.
With Stride Pest Control, you can count on the best products, application methods, and safety protocols in the industry. We want you to be satisfied. Check out our five-star reviews or give us a call to learn more about the pest control options available to you.
Contact Us Today
Your outdoor spaces such as the patio should be an area for you to relax. You should not have to worry about bugs, rodents, and other pests.
Stride Pest Control offers a variety of services for your home or yard. Get peace of mind from our friendly team. To schedule a free inspection, call (512) 777-1339 (Austin) or (210) 547-8410 (San Antonio) or fill out the online form.
