Entertaining friends and family is an activity that many look forward to, but unwanted insects shouldn’t ruin the fun. It seems most bugs are active at night! So, how to keep bugs away from the house at night?
- Ensure fly screens are intact with no holes, as they can squeeze through small holes
- Invest in a bug zapper to attract bugs at nightÂ
- Practice good yard water management
Products that keep insects at bay are easy to use and inexpensive. Here we have compiled a list of the best deterrents to keep bugs away from your home.
How to Keep Bugs Away From the House at Night
1. Plant Marigolds
Marigolds act as effective insect repellents, so plant them around the edges of your patio or yard to keep mosquitoes at bay. In addition to displaying them in pots, you can also display them at the corners of your patio or near seating areas on side tables.
2. Create a Potpourri or Sachet That Repels Flies
You can use various natural products to repel insects, but bay leaves or cloves work best for this method. Repel flies and other insects with these natural ingredients, which are easy to find in most households.
In your entertaining area, you can arrange them in bowls or hang or hide small sachets near areas where your guests will congregate.
3. Peppermint Cotton Balls
To prevent fleas, roaches, and spiders from bothering your guests, soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and scatter them near your entertainment and seating areas. In addition to spiders, peppermint is also unpalatable to other pests – making it ideal for warding off various pests.
4. Plant a Herb Garden
A beetle may be the bug causing you the most problems. Petunias are a good option. A herb garden that makes it easier for you to catch ants can also be of assistance to beetles, for example, by planting garlic or chives.
No matter what you use your herb garden for, it does not have to be used for cooking; you can just use it to repel insects.
5. Cedar Mulch
A mulched area around your outside area could also help repel insects. It’s important to pay attention to this since some mulches have the effect of attracting insects, which is why you should make sure you buy the right mulch.Â
Hardwood and Cypress mulch is not recommended for repelling insects; it’s better to use Cedar mulch. There is a natural scent associated with cedar mulch that keeps insects at bay. Additionally, once the mulch is laid down, it does not require much attention for the remainder of the year.
6. Install Window Screens
When you want fresh air without annoyance from insects, cover your windows and doors with screens, and make sure they don’t have any holes in them!
To keep out most household pests, choose a screen with a mesh of 20 or finer. It’s relatively easy to install a screen, and only a few basic tools are needed.
There is also a possibility that bugs may get into your home if there are holes or tears in your current screen. Make sure the broken wires are pushed back with a screwdriver or scissors. You can seal the hole with nail polish or household glue to prevent insects from entering.
7. Maintain Your Yard
After it rains, do a sweep of your yard and look for any signs of water that has collected. Standing water will quickly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and we all know how annoying mosquitoes are at night.
They will quickly ruin an evening event!
Empty out the plant trays under your potted plants. Check if any barrels or buckets are collecting water. Even tires are a common mosquito breeding ground. Look for any place that has water, and dump it out.
Regular drainage channels need to be maintained. These areas should be free of leaves, grass clippings, and other debris. Ensure your pool is clean when it isn’t used, even chlorinated and filtered.
If you want to prevent mosquitoes from hatching in watered areas like birdbaths and fountains, be sure to change their water twice a week.
When working in your yard, make sure that leaves and debris are cleared away. There are plenty of hiding spots for insects, allowing them to reproduce, resulting in an infestation that can be hard to eradicate.
8. Declutter and remove food sources
Despite your best efforts to keep bugs out of your home, there will likely be an entry point for them, regardless of how diligent you are. If you want to prevent them from becoming comfortable in your home, remove the things they are attracted to. Clean up the clutter, food, and water sources that have not been protected.
Bugs will leave your house if these resources aren’t available.
It‘s easy for bugs to breed in a cluttered home. They love piles of paper and clothes. Minimize clutter and prevent infestations before they begin.
Food is also necessary for insects to survive. Whenever possible, store unsealed food products in the refrigerator to prevent them from eating in your home. Keep food consumption to one area of the house and immediately clean up spills or crumbs.
9. Encourage the Insects Predators
If you want birds to assist you in pest control efforts, provide them with trees and bushes where they can establish nests. Ensure there is a freshwater supply, and make sure it is changed frequently to prevent stagnation. You might also consider adding a feeder with birdseed or nectar to supplement their insect-based diet.
Bats may be regarded as unwelcome guests by many homeowners, even though they assist homeowners in controlling insect populations. Due to their nocturnal nature, bats are only active at night, but they can eat thousands of mosquitoes each night.
Geckos, spiders, frogs, and other small animals will also keep the bug population under control. Don’t get rid of these creatures, they’re on your team!
10. Turn off Any Lights You’re Not Using
Porch lights emit heat and light that become homing beacons for insects. So leaving them in the dark is an easy way to thin their numbers. Wait until there is no light outside before flicking the switch.
- Leaving your porch lights off overnight isn’t always the best solution, and many homeowners prefer to keep them on overnight to keep their homes safe.
- Use a timer or light sensor to connect your porch lights to do their job automatically at night and to turn off automatically in the morning.
11. Keep a Few Candles Lit
Aromatic candles can particularly deter winged intruders. Additionally, they provide elegant additional lighting, providing a win-win situation. The best way to resolve the problem is to place your candles directly beneath the light that causes the issue on a table or railing.
- Consider candles with fragrances such as eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and lavender.
- Citronella candles are well-known insect repellants, but eucalyptus works better!
- There may be something lovely about watching a sea of twinkling candles, but remember that they can pose a fire hazard. Use jars or holders to put out your candles, and be sure they are kept from curtains, cushions, plants, and other flammable items.
12. Invest in a Bug Zapper
Even though they aren’t pretty to look at, flying pests have been combated with these devices for centuries. The mysterious blue glow of their cores attracts insects, and as soon as the insects approach, those electrified cores finish them off. Your bug zapper will do all the work for you if you hang it up a reasonable distance from the porch light.
- Using a bug zapper on your porch might not be the best idea if you don’t enjoy the constant buzz of electricity and the stench of burned insects, especially if you enjoy sitting on the porch.
- When it comes to bugs, if you’re not a fan of killing them, perhaps a more humane approach would be better, such as deterring plants and aromas.
And keep in mind that you can even use your bug zapper inside if you need to!
Tips for Bug Control
- You can improve the situation by combining as many defenses as required. For example, you may start lighting your porch later, using eucalyptus candles at night, and zap any pests you see on your porch.
- Do not use poisonous chemicals near your homes, such as mosquito foggers, pesticides, or insecticides. When you have animals or small children, these can be dangerous.
- An overwhelming number of bugs may characterize infestations. If your problem doesn’t improve, consider hiring an exterminator to inspect your home for insect nests and entry points.
- There is no guarantee that yellow lights will be 100% successful. A few bugs with sensitive senses can detect a small amount of light.
- Make sure to eliminate all the insects around your home, but don’t make it your mission. Despite their irritating nature, bugs are essential to the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Hopefully, with all these tips and tricks, you now know exactly how to keep bugs away from your home at night. Enjoy a meal outside on a summer night with a cool breeze and no insects in sight!
