Pest-Free Summers are Possible: Here's How

After a cold winter, spring is officially here. The sun is shining again, and, finally, the weather has become warm enough to allow people to step out of their doors without wearing layers and layers of clothing. Pretty soon, summer will arrive, which means that people will be spending more time in their porches and

However, warmer weather also means that the bugs are waking up and ready to attack.

Summer is the time for many insects to forage for food and reproduce. People also tend to cook and eat their meals outdoors to enjoy the sunlight and fresh breeze, attracting bugs that have only come out of their resting phase and are now famished.

These critters are not just a nuisance. They also bring a host of illnesses. They bite, and they sting, and they come in contact with your food which is an opportunity to pass on viruses and bacteria to you and your loved ones.

But, you do not have to suffer from it. There are ways to maintain a bug-free patio and porch this summer. Here's how.

No More Bites

Mosquitoes are one of the worst critters out there because they sting to suck your blood out, and they can bring deadly diseases. There are about 3,500 species of mosquitoes but, in the U.S., two types of mosquitoes are notoriously dangerous: Aedes aegyptii and Aedes albopictus. Both breed around houses where there is still water.

It should be a part of every household's spring and summer routine to call mosquito control services. They know the proper techniques that can kill and prevent mosquitoes from reproducing.

Female mosquitoes can lay 100 to 300 eggs. It only takes two to three days for pupae to develop into flying adults.

Needless to say, they are hard to get rid of. That is why a professional is needed to eliminate them.

Besides, homeowners should consider installing patio fans in their outdoor spaces. The air pushes the mosquitoes that attempt to go to the house away from people. As long as it is running, everyone is safe from mosquito bites.

Plant Plants that Bugs Hate

Your plants can be a natural insect repellent. There are many plants that, if you grow around your house and yard, will serve as a deterrent that keeps them from attacking.

Basil, for example, exudes a strong aroma that, although heavenly to humans, is unbearable to flies. Rubbing the basil leaf on your skin ensures that house flies will not attempt to fly anywhere near you.

If you have had flies in the past, plant basil in containers and surround your porch or patio with it. It is guaranteed that space will be free of annoying flying critters.

Ticks, on the other hand, cannot stand the smell of catnip. According to scientists, nepetalactone, the essential oil that gives the plant its distinctive aroma, is more effective in warding ticks off than DEET.

Growing catnip around your garden will ensure that no ticks will come into contact with your loved ones, especially your pets.

Paint Your House a Bright Color

Public health experts advise that to prevent insects from biting you; you should wear light colors. Aside from making it easier for you to spot and remove insects, bright colors are harder for bugs to see than dark tones.

Mosquitoes switch to using their vision to detect their target (a.k.a. you) at mid-range distance. When they are around, they fly low because it is easier for them to see a silhouette against a background. As they get closer, they rely on sight. Fortunately for humans, mosquitoes see dark colors more easily.

The same principle can be applied to your house. Maybe if the exteriors are painted a light color, they would stay away.

Do Not Overdo the Mulch

With mulching, there is such a thing as too much. Mulch can attract ants and cockroaches. As the material decomposes, it generates heat which creates the perfect environment for critters to nest. Eventually, they may find their way into patios, porches, and the inside of the house.

Mulch can also provide a cover for brooding pests like mice which can dig their way into the house.

However, do not be too stingy with mulch, either. It will not attract ants and cockroaches, but bare dirt provides a home for yellow jackets.

Summer does not have to be a season when you suffer from tick or mosquito bites, when your barbecue parties have to be ruined with flies and cockroaches, or mice will terrorize your quiet evenings. You can do a few things to prevent these insects from invading your property. You have to know your enemy.