Summer Bug Blasting Tips

The weather is feeling particularly summery right now! If you spent this past weekend at all like we did at The Blehm Group, you may have dusted off the grill and enjoyed the weather with patio eats outdoors.

Unfortunately, as most of us have experienced, there’s only a brief window of grilling season in West Michigan before grilling season also becomes bug season. You may still need some bug spray, but below are some tips and tricks to help you highly reduce those pesky constellation-like mosquito bites:

1. Keep up with your yard
   Make sure to keep it mowed and trimmed during the summer. This will automatically detract mosquitoes and larvae from setting up shop at your home for the summer.
2. Remove standing water                                                                                                                                                                    Uneven gutters, those kiddie pools, planter trays: they all need to be removed, emptied, or at least moved far away from any patios if and when possible. Mosquitoes lay eggs on standing water, so unless you want to breed thousands bugs for you and your family, get the standing water away from any areas you plan to spend time this summer.
3. Move trash & recycling far away
   Flies love trash and ants love the sugary residue left in many recycling containers. Moving these receptacles out of sight is incredibly helpful and making sure they have tight fitting lids will make sure that the bugs won’t bother you or your family.
4. Cinnamon & chili powder
   Sprinkling cinnamon and chili powder on the grass is a great way to fight off ants! Additionally, if you pour mint tea on an ant colony, you will kill it off.
5. Essential oils
   Essential oils are great for a 4 foot radius when used in torches or candles. Peppermint, citronella, or lemongrass are all wonderful repellents for mosquitoes and other insects.
6. Plant a repelling garden by your patio
   If you’d rather go the all natural route, you can plant a garden that repels insects out of citronella grass, rosemary, catnip, and marigold. You may still need insect repellant, but your garden will do wonders keeping insects away just by blossoming.

Go forth and grill without fear of being eaten alive!