8 Tips for a Bug-Free Backyard
Nothing can ruin the fun summer activities you’ve planned like a backyard full of bugs that can bite, sting, and crawl all over you. Bugs suck, but there are definitely things you can do to get them out of your yard. By combining all of our suggestions, you’ll minimize the pests that come to visit.
1. Keep Things Clean
Bugs tend to hang out around messes and food. If your kid drops a popsicle on the patio, you can bet it will soon be swarming with ants. If your dog does his duty in the backyard and you don’t clean it up, the flies are going to throw a party. Keep things clean back there. Cover up food on the picnic table. Keep your garbage bins away from the backyard. Clean up any messes before they become a problem.
2. Trim the Grass
Bugs prefer to make their home in grassy areas, and if you let the grass grow tall, you’re creating the perfect environment. By setting the mower to cut the grass as short as possible and mowing at least once a week, you’ll make your yard less attractive to critters.
3. Remove Standing Water
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and if you have any in your yard, you’re likely to have a yard full of them. You’ll find standing water in a birdbath, your kids’ sand pails, and some types of backyard ponds. Get rid of these things (or the water), and you’ll get rid of the bugs.
4. Invite Birds Into the Backyard
There are many birds that love to eat bugs you hate, so consider making your yard a bit more bird-friendly. Hang some bird feeders around the yard and keep them full. If the idea doesn’t scare you, putting up a bat house can also be a very effective way to get rid of a mosquito problem.
5. Light a Torch
Most bugs don’t like the smell of citronella, so if you burn some citronella candles or tiki torches when you’re hanging out outside, the bugs might stay away. You can also purchase incense sticks that will emit a bug-repelling smell.
6. Change Your Lightbulbs
Many bugs are attracted to light, so when you’re trying to hang out with your poker buddies at night, you find that the bugs start swarming. You may be able to make a difference by using different types of lights. Home Depot sells yellow-coloured “bug lights” that don’t attract bugs in the same way, but warm-toned LED lights also work especially well. You can also combine this with a “bug zapper” light at the other end of your yard, and conquer the critters.
7. Bring Out the Big Guns
Natural methods to get rid of bugs work well for most people, but certain situations require more drastic methods. For instance, if you have a wasp's nest buried in the ground or you have a child who’s allergic to mosquito bites, you need to take extra precautions. A professional exterminator can come to your home and treat your yard to get rid of the pests you have. Some even use fewer harsh chemicals.
8. Plant the Right Flowers and Plants
As you plan your summer landscaping, think carefully about the types of plants you use and where you place them. Many plants are known for repelling bugs. Most herbs, including basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme will keep different types of bugs away. It might be nice to plant a herb garden around your patio to create a bug barrier and give you easy access to fresh herbs when you want them. If you want flowers, things like marigolds and petunias are a smart choice. Kids will also love having a venus fly trap in the yard.
At the same time, you want to avoid plants that will attract bugs. For instance, flowers like black-eyed Susans, goldenrod, and lavender will attract bees, so you probably don’t want to put them in areas where the kids might play. Your local nursery can help you pick out the right flowers for you.
Don’t let the bugs spoil your summer. You deserve to relax and have fun in your backyard. With the proper precautions, your yard can be virtually bug-free.
