Insects are part of the circle of life and they’re great in nature but don’t need to be buzzing, biting, and flying around your home. Nothing can ruin a backyard BBQ quicker than a swarm of mosquitos! The Homeowner Tip of the Month is aimed at taking care of cutting down and eliminating insects from your home. Take these 10 tips into consideration to keep summer insects away from your home this summer.
1. Dry Up Any Standing Water
Standing water is the enemy in your battle against bugs, as it’s the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Make sure your gutters are unclogged and that any sunken areas in your yard are filled in so that water can’t collect. Even the water in the birdbath and kiddie pool should be regularly changed to prevent those little suckers from multiplying.
2. Don’t Feed Them
Your garbage can provide a breeding ground for flies and they will rapidly multiply. That sticky residue leftover on your recyclables provide an attractive meal fit for the ant gods. Make sure all your trash and recycling cans are always covered, and move them away from the most frequented areas of your yard.
3. Keep Food Covered
Picnics and barbecues are a favorite summer activity. Unfortunately your friends and family aren’t the only ones who will find your smorgasbord inviting. To keep the six-legged critters out of the party, do your best to keep food covered while entertaining.
4. Bat House
A single bat typically eats 6,000 to 8,000 insects in a night, so use these nocturnal critters to your advantage as superhero sidekicks in the fight against bugs. Build your bat community by building a bat house, and be happy to see them swooping through your yard at dusk.
5. Appeal to Birds
These feathered friends are great for window-watching, but they can also help with pest control. Most backyard birds have a diet consisting of berries, seeds, and insects. Make your yard more inviting by planting twiggy shrubs and small trees for cover. Also consider installing a birdbath or fountain, and leave your bird feeder out to encourage these creatures to visit often and eat the insects away.
6. Well Kept Yard
Brush and weeds that have become overgrown provide great habitats and hiding areas for a slew of insects. Keep your landscaping tidy, and be sure to trim back tall grass, brush, and weeds around your property. Not only will this cut down on insects but will aid in fire safety in the event of a fire.
7. DIY Bug Traps
A DIY trap is an easy way to defend your backyard against bugs. Here’s how:
1. Cut the top off a two-liter soda bottle.
2. Invert it so that the spout points back down into the bottle.
3. Tape the pieces together to seal, then fill with a solution that will attract the type of insect you’re hoping to catch.
8. Citronella Candles
Citronella oil is derived from a combination of naturally bug-repellent grasses. In candle form, it masks the scents of carbon dioxide and human lactic acid, which are so attractive to insects. And it’s perfectly safe too! Light a few citronella candles at your next backyard party for a bug-free gathering.
9. Pretreat Your Yard
If you know you’re having a gang of people over, you can pretreat your yard the night before with an off-the-shelf spray. OFF! Bug Control Backyard Pretreat connects to a garden hose and can cover a 16,000-square-foot area. It will kill and repel insects for up to eight weeks.
10. Plant Bug-Repellents
Do yourself a favor while you’re planning your landscaping and mix in some bug-repellent plant varieties. Lavender, marigold, chrysanthemum, and lemongrass are all known to discourage a host of insects from mosquitoes to aphids.
At Fieldstone Homes we know that bugs can become a big nuisance during your backyard summer activities, by putting a few of these tips into action you can have an insect free summer!
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