It has only been in recent years that mosquitos have become a real nuisance in Seattle. Crosscut reported last summer in August of 2021 that the new warmer, wetter summers have already led to an increase in mosquito activity – about a month longer than usual. Now, the Department of Health is trying to make property owners aware of the dangers of mosquitos, and the pressing need to repel them from your outdoor spaces.
There are several things that you can do to dramatically reduce or eliminate mosquitos on your patio, on the deck, or around the fire pit. Deet is always the strongest protection against insects including mosquitos, but if you are not fond of chemicals there are natural ways to reduce their presence.
Purchase a tungsten mosquito trap
The first thing you should do is purchase a tungsten mosquito trap. This is a trap that can be hung in the eaves or in a tree off your deck, patio, or near your fire pit. Better than bug zappers, these traps are quiet and cover a larger radius.
Avoid standing water
Standing water is a surefire way to attract mosquitos to your next outdoor gathering. Water features that churn the water are better than still water, but they can still attract pests. Items like bird baths may be obvious, but look around your property for hidden culprits as well – buckets off to the side, forgotten, slowly collecting rain water, or poor drainage of clogged gutters.
Create an herb garden
One of the best ways to repel mosquitos is to start an herb garden. Several herbs that can be used in cooking and for other practical purposes will also repel mosquitos, including:
Rosemary
Basil
Mint
Lemongrass
Catnip
Lavender
Peppermint
Planting garlic can also reduce mosquitos in the area, and adding it to your meals will help keep them from biting you when they do come buzzing around. You can beautify the garden with pennyroyals and marigolds for extra protection.
Create a canopy
There are many different ways that you can make an outdoor canopy to keep mosquitos out of the party, depending on what type of space you are outfitting. A small tire swing could be draped in netting flowing down from a ring and extending up with a hook to hang on the tree above the swing. If you are using a gazebo, you may only need to hang netting across the open areas of the gazebo.
You know your outdoor space best, and a quick search on YouTube is sure to turn up some ideas for a patio, gazebo, or deck just like yours.
However, you decide to make your canopy, you want to make sure you’re getting the appropriate material for the job. No-See-Um Mosquito Netting is the best option for any outdoor space. Light, gauzy, and effective, this mosquito netting can be purchased in a nearly invisible layer that can be draped as needed to form a canopy over any outdoor area.