Keep Pests and Bugs Away Outdoors.

Try these Secret Hacks to Keep Your Backyard Bug-free.

Forget chemicals – get a bug-free backyard using all-natural solutions.

A bug-free backyard may seem impossible unless you are willing to use chemicals.

These secret chemical-free hacks are guaranteed to keep your next backyard barbecue bug-free. Your guests will thank you.

Flies, mosquitoes, and no-see-ums are unwanted guests that used to show up frequently to our outdoor BBQs until I learned the secrets to keeping the yard bug-free!

Bugs in the backyard are a nuisance and can sometimes ruin an outdoor get-together.

Sure you can cover your guests in DEET bug spray, but then you have to deal with the sticky skin and unappealing smell.

Yuck!

Not that appetizing for your backyard BBQ.

Try these 6 Secret Hacks for keeping bugs away outdoors.

One or more of these secrets should keep those pesky bugs away from your next yard barbecue.

Secret Hack # 1 to Bug-free Backyard

Essential Oil Floating Candle Centerpiece

Fill a shallow bowl or a glass vase with several drops of citronella, lavender, or lemongrass and float candles.

Add flowers, fresh herbs, and other greenery to make a beautiful centerpiece.

Not only does it repel bugs but it’s beautiful and smells great.

Secret Hack # 2 to Bug-free Backyard

Essential Oil Bug Repellent

Spray the area a few minutes before the party and leave a diffuser or 2 going through the night.

Guests can also use this as a bug-repellent spray.

Make your own essential oil bug repellent.

Secret Hack # 3 to a Bug-free Backyard

Reflective Water Reservoir

Filling a clear plastic bag or clear jar with water and hanging them around the perimeter of your entertaining space is a great way to keep flies away.

The theory is that the lights and shadows that refract from the water confuse the flies so they stay away.

Another theory is that they see their reflection and that it scares them away.

For me, I don’t care why it works – just that it does!

Secret Hack # 4 to a Bug-free Backyard

Citronella Candles to Repel Bugs

Try grouping citronella candles around your entertaining area. It is a great way to keep mosquitos and no-see-ums away.

The oils from the candle help to repel the bugs from hanging around by hiding smells and scents, specifically carbon dioxide and lactic acid in humans. (who knew?)

Citronella candles are safe and non-toxic and are a great natural, chemical-free way of keeping bugs away.

Secret Hack # 5 to a Bug-free Backyard

Plant Bug Repellent Plants

A long-term strategy to keep your backyard bug free is to plant insect-repelling plants in your yard and around the entertaining area. 

This way your garden can do double duty adding beautiful color and texture to your outdoor space and helping to keep it pest free. 

Try these plants: lavender, marigold, mint, lemongrass, catnip, citronella, and Lemon Eucalyptus.

Grow an herb garden featuring basil and thyme and petunias.

The natural, essential oils in these plants act as a repellent that is organic chemical-free, and eco-friendly.

Adding a few of these types of plants to outdoor landscaping helps. 

I like to plant lemongrass and lavender in pots so they can be moved around the yard and entertaining space.

Secret Hack # 6 to a Bug-free Backyard

Trim Yard and Get Rid of Standing Water to Repel Bugs

Trimming overgrown shrubs and bushes will eliminate the hiding places for bugs.

By keeping a clean and tidy yard you can significantly cut down on the number of bugs that live in your backyard.

Trim any overgrowth and remove weeds from planting beds.

Also make sure there is no place for water to collect, like buckets, pots, or even bird baths.

There should be no standing water in your yard since this is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos, which carry dangerous diseases.

Any water in your backyard needs to recirculate.  So if you want a birdbath, add a small submersible pump to circulate the water.

How do you keep bugs out of your backyard?