5 Ways to Make Your Home a Bug-Free Zone
Whether it's the annoying buzz of a mosquito or the scuttle of a beetle across your yard, these unwelcome guests can put a damper on our comfort and well-being. But fear not! Here are five effective and practical ways that will help you bid farewell to pesky critters and restore harmony to your living space.
#1 Eliminate Standing Water
Here in Arizona, monsoon season leaves us with standing water in places we generally do not think to check. Gutters, downspouts, empty pots, birdbaths, and poor outdoor drainage create a breeding ground for pests.
Did you know it takes 24-48 hours for mosquito larvae to hatch? Ensure you eliminate any standing water within this time frame to keep the pests away.
#2 Fans
Installing fans in your entertainment spaces can do wonders to keep bugs away. The height of bug season is among us, and as adamantly annoying as gnats, June bugs and mosquitos are, they are no match for a constant slight breeze!
There is a fan out there for everyone. Try hardwired, plug-in or battery powered fans to make your space easy-breezy and bug-free.
#3 Smart Landscaping
Overgrowth in your yard is a welcome mat for bugs. Ticks, scorpions, spiders, and plenty of other creepy crawlies find shelter among our overgrown lawns. Keep your landscape clean, and the critters will stay out of the scene.
Incorporate strong scented plants into your space. Pest-repelling plants like Basil, Lavendar, Catnip, Chrysanthemums, Rosemary are a sure-fire way to keep the pests at bay.
#4 Repel by Smell
Besides adding strong scented plants to your space, try these repel-by-smell techniques:
Essential Oils: Mix essential oils with water (peppermint, lavender, lemongrass) and spray around your space.
Dish Soap and Vinegar: Try mixing these products and spraying in any areas that are frequented by flies. It will kill any flies that come in contact with the solution.
Citronella: Try the candle or incense version of citronella to repel pests. Usually, these scents work best in a closed environment.
Irish Spring Soap: Although there is no scientific backing to this technique, some people vouch by rubbing Irish Spring soap along entry ways of their home and grating it into rock beds to prevent bug visitors.
#5 Harness Nature
Bring on the Bats: Did you know bats can consume up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour? According to Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona is home to 28 bat species. That is more than most other states in the US! Building a bat house can be a viable and eco-friendly option to eliminate night flying insects. If it is built to their liking, they will roost, conduct insect control, pollinate fruit flowers, and even fertilize your soil.
Diatomaceous Earth: This product is an all-natural, food-grade substance. It is a powder form of fossilized algae, which are called diatoms. Its microscopic sharp edges act like glass and cut through the exoskeleton and respiratory systems of bugs. It is best used in areas with high bug traffic and can be sprinkled at the base of potted plants and entryways of the home. It is less effective when wet, so reapply after any rainfall.