What is the best bug deterrent for outdoor patios?
To keep bugs away from your patio, pergola, or gazebo, install retractable or permanent screens, mosquito netting, or outdoor curtains. Natural repellents like citronella, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus are scientifically-proven to help with mosquitos, flies, and ants, but may not be safe for use around pets. Believe it or not, mosquitoes hate the smell of certain plants and herbs, such as lavender, basil, lemon balm, rosemary and marigold. Plant these natural mosquito repellents in your garden as a natural alternative to keep those pesky mosquitoes out of your yard.Ideal Mosquito-Repellent Plants: Consider growing citronella grass, lavender, basil, peppermint, and marigolds. These plants not only deter mosquitoes but also add beauty and fragrance to your space. Soil and Planting: Use high-quality potting mix for good drainage and nutrients.Neither the plant nor the oil used in repellents has proven to be effective in repelling mosquitos, though both are often marketed as repellents. Many gardeners believe that the citrus scent from a citronella plant, a scented geranium that is also known as the mosquito plant, will repel mosquitoes.Eucalyptus. Especially lemon eucalyptus, which is recognized by the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc) as an effective mosquito repellent. The cdc recommends lemon eucalyptus oil as a natural alternative to deet.
How to naturally get rid of bugs outside?
Just fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of anise oil (natural, not the artificial version). Anise is a potent oil, so be careful to only add a few drops. Then, spray the mixture all over your patio furniture and surfaces. White lights are a huge attraction to bugs. For maximum effect, install bug-deterrent plants around your outdoor seating area and grow a few varieties in pots placed among your patio furniture. Herbs such as garlic, rosemary, chive, and lemongrass are also useful in the kitchen or when preparing a meal over the fire.
What is the best long term bug repellent?
Overall, chemical repellents like DEET and picaridin offer long-lasting and wide-ranging protection, repelling mosquitoes, ticks and many fly species. Synthesized plant oils, like lemon eucalyptus oil and IR3535, don’t protect quite as long and are effective against mosquitoes and some tick species. Peppermint Oil. The minty-fresh scent of peppermint is enough to shoo away ants, spiders, mosquitoes, and even cockroaches. The menthol in peppermint oil creates a strong odor that bugs can’t stand and interferes with their ability to communicate.Spraying a peppermint oil solution around your outdoor patio space is one of the best ways to repel ants, spiders, caterpillars, ticks, beetles and flies. Rosemary oil is another essential oil solution known to repel flies, mosquitoes and ants, as well as spider mites and aphids infesting garden plants.Peppermint essential oil might just be the holy grail of natural pest repellents to leave around your home’s entry points, as it can help keep away ticks, spiders, roaches, moths, flies, fleas, beetles, and ants.
What plants are good bug repellents?
Citronella. Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) is a well-known natural mosquito repellent. While citronella candles are commonly used, you can also plant citronella grass in your backyard. This grass emits a strong citrus scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant, effectively deterring them from your outdoor space. Citronella Grass (Lemon Grass) Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass (or lemon grass) is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellants. In fact, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass to keep mosquitoes at bay.