After a dry spell, we here in the Caribbean welcome the much needed rainy season. This represents summer, fun, heat and unfortunately some uninvited pests.
Just to name a few, mosquitoes and fruit flies become more prevalent and although we want to enjoy our outdoor space. These little pests can be mighty big nuisances. So! I have taken the liberty of putting together some really easy ways to eliminate or decrease these creatures from making their usual appearance at your summer soiree.
6 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR PATIO!!!
1) CLEAN THE PATIO
This one is obvious! I still thought it was worth mentioning. Make sure you give your patio or outdoor space a good scrub from top to bottom. This includes getting rid of any stagnant water, lizard poop, bird poop and cobwebs. We want the space squeaky clean!
6 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR PATIO!!!
2) HOMEMADE REPELLENTS
Here is where things get interesting. The great news is that most of you will have some of these things at home :) So everyone can do this!
HOMEMADE SPRAYS
Homemade sprays are very simple to make. You have various options here! These sprays can be made with:
Oils- Eucalyptus, lavender, citronella, coconut and lemongrass
Mouthwash
Vodka
Hydrogen peroxide
Cayenne pepper
All oils should be mixed with water and the entire patio can be prayed, this also includes patio furniture. These oils also leave your outdoor space smelling lovely while acting as a repellent.
Here is another one that may throw you for a loop! Mouthwash! It turns out that this doesn't only freshen your mouth but can be used to repel pests. Just make sure it is mint flavoured and this too can be sprayed all over the space.
Some other homemade sprays can be made with Vodka, hydrogen peroxide and cayenne pepper. Just to be clear, these are all used separately to make their own spray. Just be careful with the hydrogen peroxide and furniture, this stuff can bleach textiles. Click here for guidance on the correct measurements for the sprays.
LEMON/LIME STUFFED WITH CLOVES
You can use lemons or limes for this. Cut the lemon or lime in half and stick as many whole cloves in the half as possible and leave them all over your space. The scent is usually too strong for pests.
CUCUMBER PEEL
This is a good one for flies. Flies dislike the smell of cucumbers so leaving the unused cucumber skin at the top of the garbage and anywhere that flies frequent, is a great way to to keep them away from these hot spots.
6 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR PATIO!!!
3) PENNIES IN WATER
Apparently, water in clear bags or vases with some pennies in them can scare flies away. They look like big googly eyes looking back at them. Some people hang bags with pennies up in doorways and around patios. This can look a bit cumbersome but another alternative is using glasses or vases. Fill them with water, add some pennies and this will keep the flies at bay.
6 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR PATIO!!!
4) INSECT REPELLING HERBS AND FLOWERS
You can also plant some herbs or flowers which tend to have strong scents that naturally repel bugs. Rosemary and lemongrass are good herbs to have around and marigolds are beautiful flowers that have a similar effect.
6 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR PATIO!!!
5) SET FLY TRAPS
Set up some simple fly traps. These are very easy to set up. Use apple cider vinegar and pour some in a bowl with a drop of dishwashing liquid. You can also use the vinegar in jars and place some plastic wrap, punched with holes at the top. This attracts all types of creepy crawly things that will eventually get trapped in the vinegar.
6 INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR PATIO!!!
6) FIRE IT UP!
Why not add to your ambiance and repel pests at the same time? Citronella candles are available in all sizes and… there are now tiki torches that come with citronella oil. A little fire and repellent in one!
Now that you are armed and ready, go and get your summer on, pest free!!!
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