Natural Ways to Keep Pests from Spoiling Outdoor Summer Fun

From backyard barbecues and pool parties to cultivating your landscaping and “recession garden,” summer fun is even better when shared with others … except when that group includes some unwelcome critters.

Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy the warm weather. Flying, buzzing, stinging, four-legged and four-footed pests also turn out in force when the days turn pleasant.

“Warmer weather means it’s time for outdoor living and enjoying backyard picnics, parties and pure relaxation,” says Luke Miller, editor of Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living. “Unfortunately, as the days get warmer, pests wake up and make their appearance.”

Whether they come after your plants or bite you and your pets, pests can spoil any day. You don’t have to share your backyard with deer, rabbits, moles, snakes or even dreaded mosquitoes and ticks anymore. And you also don’t have to resort to harsh chemicals and sprays to ward off unwanted critters.

Look for all-natural, safe and effective ways to protect your family, pets, garden and the environment this summer. Here are a few tips for thwarting some common summer pests:

Mosquitoes and Flying Insects

Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance; they can be a health threat as well, carrying a number of viruses harmful to humans. Other flying insects, like hornets and wasps, can also spoil your summer fun — or cause worse problems for those with insect allergies.

If you would prefer to forego strong chemical repellents, there are natural options. Look for organic, herbal or plant-based topical products that you apply to the skin or spray barriers that can protect your whole yard. Products like Liquid Net’s Ultimate Insect Repellent keep biting insects away without the use of DEET, the most common ingredient in chemical repellents. It’s made with botanical oils so it’s safe for children and has a pleasant scent. It also comes in an all-natural formula safe for dogs and cats.

For intimate areas and especially evening gatherings, good old citronella candles can be effective repellents for biting, flying insects. You can also add ambiance and gain some insect-thwarting benefits from strategically placed tiki torches — the heat, flame and slight smokiness of the torches will act as a natural repellent. Just be sure to practice smart safety habits around all open flames.

Finally, minimize the opportunity for flying pests to occupy your backyard. Eliminate all standing water from the vicinity, since it’s a favorite breeding ground for mosquitoes. Regularly check overhangs and eaves on your house and outdoor play equipment to make sure wasps and other nest-building insects don’t have the chance to take up residence.

Before these unwelcome guests ruin your day, we recommend you try new Yard Net Lawn & Yard Insect Repellent and spray an invisible barrier around your yard which will last for 24-hours. This all-natural, freshly scented formula made with botanical oils is safe for use around children and pets.

Garden Munchers

Many belt-tightening American families will turn to gardening this year to trim their grocery bill by growing their own produce. Yet common garden pests like rabbits, and even deer, can defeat your victory garden long before the first tomato or pepper appears.

No one really wants to harm the critters that visit our gardens. The goal is to just convince them to dine elsewhere. Plus, many Americans prefer to avoid exposing themselves, their families and the environment to chemical solutions. Fortunately, all-natural alternatives exist.

Look for products and techniques that use taste and scent aversion to turn animals off your plants. All-natural products like Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit or new Dual Action Rabbit Repellent use organic, natural ingredients to make vegetable and landscape plants taste and smell unappealing to common garden-munchers like deer and rabbits.

Move out Moles

Think moles can get the better of you and your lawn? Not anymore. Look for Mole Repellent Spray or new Mole Worms. This environmentally safe, easy-to-use repellent imitates a mole’s natural food source. But once they eat it, they’ll go elsewhere to look for food. It’s the most humane way to rid your yard of these underground animals and eliminate the unsightly and potentially hazardous conditions they create. Liquid Fence products are available at garden centers and hardware stores nationwide.

For these and more all-natural solutions to your pest problems, visit www.liquidfence.com.