What Is the Best Way to Keep the Bugs Off Outdoor Deck
The outdoor deck is both a private place to relax and a great place to entertain friends and family. You can host family gatherings on the outdoor deck for barbecues, drinks, and conversation with family and friends. Or, you can read stories to your children in the evening under the lights. What a wonderful outdoor life!
Of course, there may be a lot of troubles when enjoying outdoor life. For example, some annoying insects start to appear. Summer outdoor activities may attract mosquito bites. Food crumbs may attract ants and other unwanted insects. Moths and other bugs can be attracted to lights at night.
So, what can we do to avoid this bothersome situation? There are some simple tricks to keep summer bugs off your deck and allow you to enjoy the outdoors undisturbed.
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Table of Contents
Plants Can Be Used to Repel Insects
Insects recognize information primarily by smell, so we can use plants to repel insects. This chemical-free repellent can produce a variety of odors to repel insects. Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all repellent strategy that will repel all insects.
You can use specific garden plants to repel bugs based on the pests you need to repel. Use chrysanthemums to repel ants, basil to repel flies, and lavender to repel moths. Plants such as rosemary, marigold, and lavender can be used to repel mosquitoes. The aroma of lemons repels mosquitoes but may also attract bees.
In addition, plants can be used not only to decorate your outdoor deck but also to freshen up the air in your yard. Therefore, choosing the right plants will not only repel pesky insects but also make your deck more aesthetically pleasing.
Use Essential Oils
If you feel that using plants to repel other insects is too time-consuming and has a limited effect, you can use essential oils instead. To use, sprinkle the essential oil mixture evenly over your deck to repel as many insects as possible. This is a fast-acting way to repel insects.
So, how do you make an effective insect repellent? Mix one part witch hazel with one part water. Add a tablespoon of topical alcohol and a couple of dozen drops of essential oil. Mix them well to create an essential oil blend that will repel bugs.
You can use lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, or basil as essential oils. These scents mimic the odors of the plants they are named after, allowing you to combine several protections into a single solution.
It’s important to note that you’ll need to spray these mixtures frequently if you use essential oils to repel insects. This is because these liquids will evaporate and lose their effectiveness in repelling insects over time.
Drain the Deck of Standing Water
There are a variety of ways we can remove all kinds of flying insects from our decks, but we must also address the root cause of the flying insect problem. Standing water on the deck can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. In addition to flying insects such as mosquitoes, many other insects prefer dark, damp areas.
Therefore, keep deck drains, downspout gutters, and other locations as free of standing water as possible. On the other hand, ensuring good ventilation underneath the deck will also help keep it dry.
Spray Mouthwash
If you don’t have essential oils, spraying mouthwash with alcohol around your deck is another great way to eliminate deck bugs. Fill a spray bottle halfway with mouthwash and spray around your deck or on your outdoor furniture.
While mouthwash with alcohol will repel other bugs, you’ll need to use it more often as the alcohol evaporates quickly.
Replace Outdoor Deck Lighting
When you’re outdoors at night, you may find that the lighting attracts a lot of flying insects. Insects have a visual system that allows them to see shorter wavelengths of light more clearly, such as blue and violet. However, their optical systems are unable to see warm-colored light, such as red or orange.
Because traditional white light bulbs contain high levels of blue light, the light at night attracts large numbers of mosquitoes. Swap out cool-colored bulbs for warm-colored bulbs, especially yellow or sodium vapor bulbs, to keep mosquitoes from approaching your outdoor deck at night. This will prevent your deck lighting system from attracting more mosquitoes.
Keep Your Deck Neat and Clean
A cluttered backyard is an ideal habitat for bugs. Ticks like to hide in tall grass, and overgrown bushes can make it easier for pests to get close. Keeping your yard tidy isn’t just for aesthetic reasons. It also minimizes the range of bugs on your deck.
So, whether it’s for aesthetic reasons or to keep bugs away, keep your outdoor deck as clean and tidy as possible. We recommend that you perform a thorough deck cleaning in the spring and fall. Not only will this give you better access to your deck, but it will also reduce the bug population.
Add Mulch Underneath Your Deck
Even if you choose an insect-resistant material like composite decking, you may still have to contend with bugs. The underside of your deck is usually a dark, damp area that is an ideal habitat for a variety of reptiles.
If you’re concerned about pests sneaking in through the gaps between decks, consider installing a screen underneath. Before making any changes, however, check the deck’s warranty to see if you could accidentally void the warranty.
Installing a Screen Under an Existing Deck
Installing under-deck screening between the joists will keep bugs out. Installing screening under an already constructed deck board may be more labor-intensive than installing the screening prior to construction. However, depending on the construction of the deck, installing the shelter is usually as simple as nailing the boards to the underside of the structure.
Repair any cracks or gaps in the deck or flooring. Any cracks or gaps make it easy for bugs to get in. Caulk any cracks or gaps with a caulking gun and then apply a sealant to ensure the area is thoroughly sealed.
Putting Up Deck Screens When Building a Deck
However, when building a deck, it’s usually faster to install screens underneath the deck. You can attach the screen to the joists and use the weight of the deck boards to hold it in place. This doesn’t necessarily require the use of nails, glue, or other adjustments that could void the warranty.
Protect Against Pests
Termites and other burrowing insects are not affected by below-deck screens. The easiest way to prevent insects from damaging your deck is to build it with insect-resistant materials. Most modern wood decks are chemically treated to keep bugs out. However, this material loses its effectiveness over time. Composite decking, on the other hand, has properties that make it virtually impossible for bugs to get in.
Adding Composite Deck Skirts
Even with the best under-deck covering, bugs can still crawl around the borders of a deck. However, a deck skirt can fill the gap between the edge of the deck and the ground, making it impossible for bugs to sneak under the deck to begin with.
Installing a deck skirt can be more expensive and time-consuming than utilizing under-deck screening. However, it is one of the most effective ways to keep bugs off your deck. Just make sure that the deck skirt is made of composite material to keep pests like termites out.
More Ways to Keep Bugs Off Your Deck
You don’t always need to install a screen underneath your deck, and it’s not always the best option. Another option is to hang a screen from the ceiling and wrap it around the deck. This extra layer of screen will keep bugs out while still providing a more private environment for your guests.
You can also install screens on your windows and doors. This is one of the most effective ways to keep bugs off your deck and house. Screens work to keep insects out while letting in air and light. Check screens for signs of wear and tear and replace them as needed.
Proper lighting also helps keep bugs out. For outdoor lighting, consider switching to 2700K LED bulbs, which are less bright but have a warmer color temperature. Flying insects are less likely to be interested in these lights.
Make sure your yard and outdoor spaces are tidy and free of clutter. Piles of leaves, trash, and other debris can attract bugs, so keep these areas clean. Make sure you mow your lawn regularly and clean up any fallen branches or sticks.
To Summarize
If you follow these tips before building your deck, you’ll be able to enjoy your deck for years to come without worrying about bugs. Even if you already have a deck, these tips can help you improve your deck’s insect protection and allow you to spend more time outdoors.
Following these simple methods can help you turn your backyard deck into a pest-free environment. You’ll be able to enjoy more relaxing times outdoors with friends and family.
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