Dealing with flies and mosquitoes likely is the biggest nuisance to have at home. Nothing is more bothersome than having a fly take first dibs of your food or getting irritating, itchy bites on your skin.
With summer in full bloom, these pesky flying creatures aren’t going away anytime soon. You need a plan to keep them at bay. The folks at Houzz.com suggested five tips to exterminate these annoying bugs from your home.
Turn On Your Ceiling Fans – “Flies and mosquitoes do not like moving air,” says Laura Gaskill, a Houzz contributor. Get rid of these insects by installing ceiling fans.
Cover Up With Screens – Putting up insect screens sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s important to cover up areas that can easily get overlooked. “Don’t forget to install screens underneath your porch, so these little buggers won’t crawl up from underneath,” says Becky Harris, Houzz contributor. “The best type of screens to get are are ones that can be stapled on, with the edges covered up with wood.”
Use Mosquito Netting – It’s wise to invest in mosquito netting. Netting can be made from cotton, polyester or nylon. Houzz contributor Sara Rivka Dahan says a mesh size of 1.2 millimeters is more than enough to block mosquitos, but you’ll need a smaller mesh of 0.6 millimeters to stop very small insects. Insect repelling abilities aside, the netting can also add a light and decorative touch to your home: “Consider dip-dying the ends for some added drama,” she says.
Repel With Plants – Catnip isn’t just for cats: It’s a natural mosquito repellent that grows in most areas as an easy-growing perennial. Marigolds also have a distinctive smell that is unbearable to mosquitoes. “Try planting these in pots around your patio and next to windows, and the smell will prevent mosquitoes from hanging around,” says Matt Kilburn, a Houzz contributor and landscape architect.
Cover Food, Trash and Compost Bins – The best way to keep vermin away is to not give them any reason to come back. “To control fruit flies in your house, it’s best to cover the odors of ripening fruit,” says Mitchell Parker, Houzz editor and writer. “This means, among covering up any exposed food, keeping a lid on your compost bin.”