How to drive away insects while enjoying the outdoors

In addition to sunny days and warm evenings, summer always brings mosquitoes and other unwelcome visitors to the garden. If there are mosquitoes and other insects in your area, you may want to refer to the following nine suggestions to help you avoid them becoming a trouble or, in more serious cases, potentially spreading diseases – especially during your outdoor activities in summer.

1.Eliminate stagnant water

Mosquitoes and flies will search for stagnant water to breed, and a clutch can lay 100 to 200 eggs. To prevent the rapid increase of mosquitoes in the yard, clear all accumulated water sources. These may include water from watering cans, plant trays, flower pots without drainage holes, trash can covers, grill covers, hollow tree trunks, or drainage ditches blocked by leaves.

2.Characteristics of water bodies

In the prevention and control of larvae in water bodies such as ponds or fountains, ideally there should always be flowing water (through a circulating pump or electric aerator). For shallow water and bird bath, it is recommended to change the water twice a week.
Flowing water can prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs, and changing the water quality every few days can interrupt the life cycle of mosquitoes and prevent their eggs or larvae from maturing.
Although the introduction of mosquito fish is often promoted as a solution to reduce mosquito populations, it is not recommended because the introduced fish may spread to local waterways (such as when ponds overflow) and become invasive species.

3.Set up barriers

Creating a physical barrier between you and insects is the best way to prevent insect bites. On the porch screen, you can enjoy your meals at night with peace of mind. Install screen windows on doors and windows at home to prevent unwelcome guests. If you already have a screen, check for holes and tears – mosquitoes and other insects may pass through very small gaps – and repair as needed.

4.Use mosquito nets

We usually only consider using mosquito nets to cover beds, but they can also be used to protect outdoor seating areas. Consider them as flexible and economical alternatives to screen windows, and use them where needed.
Please remember that if the purpose is to prevent insects, all gaps – such as between the net and the ceiling, floor and pillars – must be tightened to prevent insects from entering.

5.Install outdoor ceiling fans

Mosquitoes, small flies, and fruit flies have one thing in common: they are not strong flyers. Hang a ceiling fan above the outdoor seating area, and the continuous breeze can protect the person sitting below from bites. Please remember that this is not a foolproof solution. The surface of the table will block the wind, and mosquitoes may bite anyone’s leg underneath.
Tip: When purchasing an outdoor fan, choose one that is waterproof and specifically designed for outdoor use.

6.Move the seating area away from the shadow

Mosquitoes that bite during the day usually stay in dark areas of the garden and avoid direct sunlight. If you plan to be outdoors at noon, place your seats or outdoor tables and chairs in a sunny area, which should reduce mosquito problems.
Even if you hide under an umbrella or sunshade, this strategy should still be effective. As long as there is a fully shaded lawn or terrace buffer zone around your seating area, biting people during the day will not be encouraged to fly.

7.Prepare mosquito repellent

If there are mosquitoes at dinner, bring anti mosquito spray and close to the outdoor seating area, so the disturbance will be less.
Instead of using repellents containing DEET that have adverse effects on the environment, it is better to try relying on natural ingredients such as lemongrass, eucalyptus oil, or tea tree oil – which are safer for humans, pets, and the environment.

8.No need

Mosquitoes are unlikely to stay on the mat when entering the house, but other crawling creatures may. To avoid relaxing on the outdoor sofa, brush off spiders, ants, or ear moths first, and bring cushions and blankets into the house when not in use.

9.Burning lemongrass candles

Lemongrass candles and diffusers can effectively repel insects in outdoor spaces, but they need to be used correctly to effectively reduce pests.
If they haven’t been used in the past, it’s likely that you haven’t used enough and haven’t been able to cover the seating area with a protective odor. A quick test: If you can’t smell the strong scent of lemongrass while sitting, it’s likely that the scent isn’t strong enough to drive away insects.
It is best to use lemongrass in combination with other prevention and control measures, such as topical deworming agents.

Important note: Although it is tempting to completely eliminate these bacteria, this is usually not the goal (except for mosquito populations carrying diseases such as Zika virus, dengue fever, and West Nile virus). Mosquitoes play a role in ecosystems: larvae live in water, providing food for fish and larger insect larvae such as larvae, while adults act as pollinators.