How To Get Rid Of Bugs In Your Backyard

If bugs are taking over your backyard, getting it back is the first thing you should do. If you want to know how to get rid of bugs in your backyard effectively, read on! As we’ll talk about useful and eco-friendly ways to keep those annoying bugs away from your backyard in this article.

 

What Smells Do Bugs Stay Away From?

How To Get Rid Of Bugs In Your Backyard
A boy without a shirt runs across a backyard on a summer day toward a swing set. Credit: Getty Images

Bugs are known to avoid certain smells, so these smells work well as natural bug sprays. Bugs try to avoid the following smells:

  • Peppermint:
    Peppermint naturally keeps bugs away because it has a strong, refreshing smell. Bugs will stay away if you plant peppermint around your house or use peppermint essential oil.
  • Lavender:
    Bugs, especially mosquitoes, don’t like lavender’s sweet and flowery smell. Bugs can be kept away by planting lavender outside or using lavender essential oil.
  • Citrus:
    Certain fruits, like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, give off a smell that bugs don’t like. Bugs can be kept away by using cleaning products with citrus scents or putting citrus peels in strategic places.
  • Eucalyptus:
    Insects are scared away by the strong smell of eucalyptus. To get rid of bugs, eucalyptus essential oil can be put in diffusers or mixed with water and used as a spray.
  • Cinnamon:
    Bugs stay away from the warm, spicy smell of cinnamon. Putting cinnamon powder or cinnamon essential oil in certain places can naturally keep bugs away.
  • Citronella:
    Citronella is a well-known natural way to keep bugs away. To get rid of bugs outside, you can use citronella lights or essential oil.
  • Tea Tree Oil:
    Bugs are scared away by the strong, healing smell of tea tree oil. You can use a spray made of tea tree oil and water to keep bugs away.
  • Basil:
    Many bugs don’t like the strong smell of basil. Insects can be kept away by planting basil around your yard or using basil essential oil.

 

Read also: How To Make Bed Bugs Come Out Of Hiding

 

What Types Of Bugs Are Found In The Backyard

Here are some common types of bugs found in the backyard:

  1. Mosquitoes:
    These insects that feed on blood thrive where there is standing water. Because female mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, it is important to get rid of places where they could breed.
  2. Ants:
    Ants are social bugs that dig holes in the ground to make houses. They look for food and can be a bother, especially when people are eating outside.
  3. Bees and Wasps:
    Bees and wasps are very important for pollination, but they can be scary. Some species make their nests in the ground, while others build their hives in trees and buildings.
  4. Flies:
    Backyards are full of different kinds of flies like house flies and fruit flies. They are drawn to food waste and organic matter that is breaking down.
  5. Spiders:
    Spiders are good hunters that help keep the number of insects in check. Some can be poisonous, but most are not.
  6. Ticks:
    Lands with grass and trees are common places to find ticks. They might be bad for your health because they can carry diseases.
  7. Beetles:
    Beetles are a wide range of bugs that live in fields and on plants. Many bugs, like ladybugs, are good, but some can be hazardous.
  8. Caterpillars:
    Caterpillars are the young forms of butterflies and moths. They eat leaves and other plants in the backyard.
  9. Earwigs:
    These insects come out at night and are known for having pincer-like legs. During the day, they like to hide in damp, dark places.
  10. Fleas:
    Fleas might be in the garden, especially in places where pets like to hang out. They might make you feel irritated or uncomfortable.

 

 How To Get Rid of Bugs In Your Backyard

If bugs are taking over your garden, getting it back is the first thing you should do. If you want to know how to get rid of bugs in your backyard effectively, read on:

  1. Get Rid of Any Standing Water:
    Bugs, especially mosquitoes, like to lay their eggs in stagnant water. Get rid of things that hold water, like drains that are clogged or containers that aren’t being used, to cut down on mosquito populations.
  2. Prune and Trim:
    Regularly cut back bushes and trees and trim back plants that are getting too big. This not only makes it look better, but it also makes it harder for bugs to hide.
  3. Natural Repellents:
    You can grow herbs in your yard that keep bugs away, like citronella, basil, and mint. It’s possible to keep bugs away with these natural wards.
  4. Essential Oils:
    Use essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil to make your bug spray. Mix it with water and spray it on your lawn and outdoor furniture.
  5. Diatomaceous Earth:
    Put food-grade diatomaceous earth in places where bugs are a problem. People and pets can’t get sick from it, but it works well against bugs.
  6. Beneficial Insects:
    Bring in ladybugs, lacewings, or carnivorous beetles to help the environment. These animals that live in the wild and eat common garden pests.
  7. Yellow Bug Lights:
    Put up yellow bug lights instead of regular yard lights. These lights make bugs less interested in your outdoor place, so there are fewer of them there.
  8. Clean and Declutter:
    Get rid of trash, leaf litter, and other places bugs could hide. Clean the outdoor furniture and play items often.
  9. DIY Bug Traps:
    To catch common bugs, make your traps with things like apple cider vinegar or beer.

 

Read also: How To Clean A Bug-Infested Refrigerator

 

What Home Remedy Keeps Bugs Away?

Keeping Bugs away from your backyard and house does not always require the use of chemicals, there are a lot of natural ways to keep bugs away. Here are some natural things you can use to make homemade remedy bug repellents:

  • Citrus Peels
  • Vinegar Spray
  • Peppermint Oil
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Garlic Barrier
  • Bay Leaves
  • Diatomaceous Earth
  • Lavender Sachets
  • Cucumber Slices
  • Basil Plants
  • Essential Oil Diffusers
  • Rosemary

 

How to Make a Homemade Bug Repellent Spray using essential oils: 

What You Need

  • One cup of water
  • one cup of white vinegar
  • 10-20 drops of essential oil (choose from citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, or a mixture of these)

Here are the steps:

1. Decide which essential oils to use

Choose an essential oil or a mix of oils that are known to keep bugs away. A lot of people choose peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and tea tree.

2. Putting the Solution Together

Put one cup of water and one cup of white vinegar in a bowl and mix them. The vinegar helps make the protection work better.

3. Adding Essential Oils

To the water and vinegar mix, add 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil(s) of your choice. How many drops you use depends on your taste and how strong the oil is.

4. Stir Thoroughly

To make sure the essential oils are evenly spread in the solution, stir the mixture very well.

5. Transfer to a Spray Bottle

To put the homemade bug spray into a clean spray bottle, use a funnel. This makes it simple to use on different surfaces.

6. Use

Before each use, give the spray bottle a good shake. Bugs can be frustrating, so spray the homemade bug spray on doorways, windows, outdoor chairs, and other places where bugs can get in.

Additional Tips

To make sure your spray solution works with surfaces, test it on a small hidden area before using it everywhere. Also, avoid spraying essential oils directly onto plants as some of them might be harmful. It’s recommended to spray the area again every few days or after it rains, depending on your needs.

 

Read also: How To Get Rid Of Cactus Bugs

 

Conclusion

You can get back to your outdoor sanctuary by using natural bug sprays, learning about what bugs like, and taking other precautions. Remember that you can have a peaceful garden, and with these tips, you can enjoy your outdoor space without bugs bothering you.

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