Let’s face it, the noise of a bug zapper is rather gruesome, which blue glow is just plain weird; the entire issue is utterly tacky. Surely there should be better ways to keep away the bugs compared to the insect equivalent of the electrical chair. I poked around to find solutions for keeping your porch insect free, ranging from the very powerful to the potential myths.
Soorikian Architecture
Haint Blue ceilings. The blue ceiling is a small rural myth; the thought behind it was bugs would get confused and believe the porch ceiling has been the sky. It was also said to ward off ghosts, and Sherwin-Williams’ Haint Blue paint is called after the ghosts of the Afro-Caribbean legends. Whether it works or not, it’s a magical antique touch to add to your porch along with an interesting conversation starter.
It is kind of funny how viral this gloomy ceiling narrative is. After my buddy Suzannah clarified to me why her porch ceiling was blue, I had mine painted blue. Then my brother saw it and had his own painted blue, and the entire thing went a couple of years later when the painter came back to additional work and told me that the story of blue ceilings. I needed to remind him I had been the one who originally told him the story, and he said he had painted heaps of ceilings gloomy after repeating the story to his clients. It is an irresistible design proceed.
The Backyard Bird Company
Heartwood Victorian Bat House – $139.95
Bat houses. This remedy is not for everybody, but bats are astoundingly good to your own gardens and outdoor areas, since they feast on bugs.
Brookstone
Winner Window Bird Feeder – $34
Bird feeders. Much like bats, birds love to feast on bugs as well. Bring them to your yard by hanging a few bird feeders.
Browse bird feeders
Frederick + Frederick Architects
Screens. Alright, this one is a no-brainer. One tip that is not so obvious: Display underneath the porch also, hence the little buggers won’t crawl up from beneath.
There are numerous different options for screens. The most frequent means to screen will be shown on this porch: The screens are soldered on and then the edges are covered with wood (view a close-up of the type of screen). The largest drawback to stapled screens is substituting them if damage occurs.
Browse screened-in porches
The very best option for talented DIYers is a system like Screen Tight. Screen Tight is a method of spline screening which adapts to wooden framework porches similar to this one. To put it differently, separate screen panels are set up inside each one of the wooden frames you see above. This kind of system is less labour intensive and uses fewer materials, and if you damage a screen, it may be replaced with ease.
Gerald D. Cowart, AIA, LEED AP
On this type of porch, strips of wood could be set up inside the windows and removable screens could be attached. From the off-season, these may be substituted with storm windows to transform the screened-in porch into a Florida room.
Phil Kean Designs
The most high-tech choice will let you screen if you want to and keep things open once you don’t. These screens are motorized and hide in the ceiling when not in use.
A lower-tech version of the really is a Roll Away screen, which can be custom made and rolls right into its home unit, like a window shade rolls up. Roll Away screen doors roll into the sides of the door.
Eliminate water. Ensure that you don’t have any standing water around your yard, be it a still pond, puddle, birdbath or garbage can lid you forgot was there months ago. In case you have a fountain or a different source of water, then make sure it’s constantly moving. This will keep mosquitos from breeding.
Carter & Cunningham Candle Pot – $16
Citronella candles. Citronella oil is extracted out ofCymbopogon nardus, a bud. The citronella odor is a natural way to repel the germs. Buy several to place around the perimeter of your porch. Make sure you keep the wick trimmed and the candles covered when not being used.
Anthropologie
Viveza Food Cover – $24
Food covers. When dining al fresco, prevent the bugs out of joining you for dinner. Keep your potato dish and salad covered up with a netted food cover.
laskoproducts.com
Outdoor Living Fan
A breeze. Keep the bugs away with the breeze provided by this fashionable outdoor fan tower. Ceiling fans also can assist with the problem.
Crate&Barrel
Insect Trap – $9.95
Insect traps. This trap is the pretty, noiseless version of the bug zapper.
Lowe’s
Mosquito Magnet Portable Trap – $599.99
Mosquito traps. I’ve seen them in action, and it did a excellent job of keeping the mosquitos away without making that awful zapping sound. We didn’t test to see whether it may cover the 1-acre area it claims to, but it took care of the postage-stamp-size backyard.
Old Faithful Shop
Fly Swatter – $23
Fly swatter. This is actually the old-fashioned way to get rid of a pesky fly with one fell swoop.
Inform us how can you keep the bugs away? Please discuss you tips in the Comments section.
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