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Tips for Bug-Free Outdoor Entertaining

It’s always fun to host an outdoor event in the summer. Having bugs crash your party isn’t as enjoyable. Whether you’re hosting an outdoor wedding or a cookout, you’ll want to keep uninvited guests away. We’ve made a list of tips to help keep your outdoor gatherings free of pesky bugs.

Prep Your Space

Mowing lawn

Before entertaining, prep your outdoor space. Mow your lawn and trim vegetation to reduce potential hiding spots for bugs. Remove leaves, weeds, twigs, and grass clippings. Check your yard for standing water. Fix any leaks, clean your gutters, and regularly replace water in kiddie pools, bird baths, and pet water bowls.

Keep Your Food Bug-Free

Drink in a mason jar with lid

Bugs love to eat your favorite snacks and treats. Covering food or placing it in containers with lids can help keep bugs out of it. Some pests, like stinging insects, are attracted to sugary drinks. Keep drinks in containers or dispensers with lids. Use cups with lids to avoid attracting pests. Consider serving your food indoors and just taking plates of food outside.

Clean Up After Eating

Trash bin

After enjoying your meal, take a few minutes to clean up. Remove trash and place it in sealed trash cans. Store garbage bins away from your dining and entertaining area. Wipe up any spills to ensure no sticky residues are left behind. Sweep up crumbs to avoid attracting hungry bugs.

Choose the Right Decorations

Thyme

It can be fun decorating your outdoor space, and plants are a great option. Choose flowers and plants that are known to naturally repel bugs. Mint can help keep mosquitoes and flies away. Ants aren’t a huge fan of chrysanthemums. Other bug-repelling plants include basil, lavender, rosemary, thyme, petunias, and marigolds.

Dress for Success

Family outside

Mosquitoes are more attracted to darker colors than lighter colors. Keep this in mind when choosing your party outfit. Long sleeves and pants can make it harder for these pests to bite you. It’s also a good idea to cover your ankles. Some bugs are also attracted to strong fragrances, so be careful when using perfume or cologne.

Use a Mosquito Screen

Mosquito screen

Mosquito screens act as a physical barrier helping to separate you from bugs. You can place a screen around your sitting area. You can also set up a screen around the area where you keep your food. Screens will help keep mosquitoes and other pests from bugging you.

Use a Bug Repellent

Natural Insect Repellent

Bug sprays can help keep pests away from you. Our Natural Insect Repellent can help deter mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. It’s formulated with plant oils and is DEET-free. For best results, we recommend reapplying every two hours or as needed. 

Create a Mosquito Repellent Zone

'Skeet-R-Shield Mosquito Repellent Canister

Plant-based insecticides can help to discourage mosquito activity. Our Mosquito Fogger kills mosquitoes and provides residual repellency protection. You can spray near where you and your guests will be spending time to repel these pests. You can also use our 'Skeet-R-Shield Mosquito Repellent Canister. The plant oils in the granules will help to repel mosquitoes. 

Create a Protective Barrier

Yard Bug Spray

Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray can help keep pests at bay. Our Yard Bug Spray kills common outdoor pests on contact. It has repellent properties that act as a barrier helping to keep bugs out of your yard. Spray your yard a few days before your gathering to protect your space from bugs.

Entertaining outside is fun in the summer, but bugs won’t hesitate to invite themselves. With a few preventative measures, you can help ensure your gathering is bug-free. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.  


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