Photo: Ildar Abulkhanov / iStock / Getty Images
Ah, summerāthe season of BBQs, bare feet, and bugs. One minute youāre sipping lemonade, the next you're swatting a mosquito with a paper plate. But fear not, backyard warrior! With a few clever tricks, you can outsmart those uninvited six-legged guests and reclaim your sunny days. Here are five ways to tell bugs, āNot today, Satan.ā
TIP 1: Dryer Sheets in Your Pockets (Yes, Really)
Tuck a dryer sheet in your pocket or belt loop while gardening or hanging outdoors. The scent (especially Bounce) repels mosquitoes and gnatsāplus, youāll smell like fresh laundry while youāre at it.
TIP 2: Lemon and CloveāThe Fancy Fly Repellent
Slice a lemon in half and stick a handful of whole cloves into each half. Set them on your patio table or windowsill. Flies hate the combo, and your setup looks suspiciously like a Pinterest craft. Win-win.
TIP 3: Fan-tastic Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are terrible flyers. Set up a simple box fan where youāre sitting outsideāblowing it low across your legs or seating area helps keep them from landing and biting. Bonus: breeze = instant cool-down.
TIP 4: Say No to Standing Water (a.k.a. Mosquito Love Shacks)
Mosquitoes breed in still water, so dump anything that collects itāthink buckets, birdbaths, old planters, even forgotten toys. If it can hold water longer than a TikTok video, drain it.
TIP 5: DIY Bug Spray That Doesnāt Smell Like Regret
Mix witch hazel, water, and a few drops of essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, or peppermint in a spray bottle. Itās skin-safe, smells great, and keeps bugs guessing (and away).
Bugs might be part of summer, but you donāt have to let them crash the party. With these hacks, youāll be too busy enjoying sāmores and sunsets to notice the mosquitoes gave up. Stay sunnyāand sting-free.