15 Ways to Make Sure Bugs Don't Ruin Your Summer Fun At Home

Summer is a time to relax and refresh, but that is hard to do when you have to deal with bugs in and around your home. As the weather gets nicer and insects begin to take over, it's important to have tricks up your sleeve to combat an infestation. Below, you will find tips for dealing with these dreaded creatures at your home so you can have a peaceful summer. 

In Your Home

Secure The Perimeter

Take a few minutes to go around your home and inspect window screens for holes that can allow bugs in. You can patch up any holes you find with a strong repair tape.

Get Rid Of Rotting Food

An abundance of delicious, fresh fruits and vegetables are in-season during the summer months, so it's a great idea to stock up. Make sure you don't leave fruit out too long however, or you will have insects lining up to get a piece. Store fruit properly and regularly empty your trash to prevent an infestation.

Onions Make Bugs Cry

Bugs don't like the smell of onions, so you can slice them up and keep them in an open bowl of water in your kitchen to help keep the bugs out.

Vinegar To Make Ants Disappear

Ants hate the smell of vinegar and will avoid it at all costs. If you notice ants in your home, mix equal parts water and distilled vinegar in a clean spray bottle and spray it around to keep them from coming back.

Lemon To Scare Fruit Flies Away

Gnats and fruit flies hate the smell of lemon. To get rid of them, mix two cups of hot water with 10-15 drops of lemongrass essential oil in a clean spray bottle. Spray the mixture all over your kitchen to keep fruit flies away.

Cinnamon To Scare Off Pests

If you notice bugs coming into your home, sprinkle a line of cinnamon near their entrance areas and they will refuse to cross it.

In Your Yard

Get Rid Of Standing Water

Standing water is the enemy in your battle against bugs. It is 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. Also make sure to change water in bird feeders and kiddie pools regularly.

Clean Up Your Trash

Garbage can provide a breeding ground for flies and attract ants. Make sure all of your trash and recycling cans stay covered, and move them away from your yard's prime entertaining spots.

Keep Food Covered

Everyone loves to have picnics and barbeques when the weather is warm, but unfortunately, so do bugs. To keep insects away from the party, do your best to keep food covered and picked up while entertaining.

Build A Bat House

A typical bat eats thousands of insects in one night. To help them move in and eat up, consider building a bat house for them. The goal is to mimic the space between bark and a tree trunk, as bats like tight spaces.

Attract Birds

Birds also love to eat bugs, so the more you have around your home, the better. Make your yard more inviting by planting twiggy shrubs and small trees for cover. You can also install a birdbath and feeders to encourage them to visit often.

Keep Your Yard Groomed

Overgrown brush and weeds can provide great habitats and hiding areas for a variety of insects and other pests. Keep your landscaping tidy and be sure to trim back tall grass, brush, and weeds around your property.

Choose Bug-Repellent Plants

Do yourself a favor while you're planning your landscaping and mix in some bug-repelling varieties. Lavender, marigold, chrysanthemums, and lemongrass are known to discourage a host of insects from mosquitoes to aphids.

Try Some Citronella

Citronella oil comes from a combination of grasses that naturally repel insects. In candle form, it masks the scents of carbon dioxide and lactic acid that make use so attractive to bugs. Approved by the FDA, citronella has been used to flavor foods and beverages for more than 50 years.

Wear Light Colors

If you are going to be outside during the day, wear light colors. Dark-colored clothing stands out more to mosquitoes than light-colored clothing. This will also help you stay cooler in the hot summer sun.

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