How to Bug Proof Your Outdoor Party

The weather is changing, temperatures are dropping slightly, and soon fall will be right around the corner.

You may be motivated to take your next party outside to enjoy the crisp air and fresh breeze. Unfortunately, for most of us, temperatures haven’t dropped near enough for those pesky mosquitoes to go away. Don’t let bugs and flying insects ruin your spirit for having friends over to share some backyard fun.

Try a few of these tips to keep your party on the right track and eliminate bugs and mosquitoes from your guest list.

 

Herbs

Fresh herbs from your garden, or your local gardening store, are an easy way to protect your guests from bugs. Mint, Rosemary, Lavender, Lemongrass, and Lemon Thyme are a few remedies for repelling bugs. As an added bonus, your guests will be left with a fresh and organic scent.

 

Tiki Time

You’ve heard of tiki torches but have you seen a tiki table torch? It’s the perfect tabletop version of the festive stick with fire coming out of the top. They cast a charming glow on your table and provide a bug fighting repellent that will assist in bug control. There are several options to choose from and a good long-term investment if you entertain outdoors on a regular basis. However, I don’t recommend you put them on a table where food is going to be served. Nobody wants the taste of tiki torch fumes mixed in with their meal.

 

Oscillating Fan

Mosquitoes are feeble flyers and will not be able to withstand the strong breeze of a fan. Place them strategically and stylishly around your backyard. On the table where food will be served and where people will be standing in line are the perfect areas. Use larger fans around the perimeter and don’t forget to offer natural bug repellent nearby in a basket for an extra dose of security.

 

Mosquito Dunks

A mosquito dunk is a little disc you place in standing water to control mosquito larvae. It contains BTI, a natural mosquito larvicide, which kills the mosquito larvae but is not dangerous to pets, people, wildlife, or fish. Mosquito dunks are an effective, simple solution and have lasting results for up to 30 days.

 

Lighting

The mood of a party is largely dictated by lighting. Using multiple strings of yellow (not blue) LED lights will work double duty, as they look festive and help block the wavelengths of light that attract bugs. Incandescent bulbs are insect magnets, as opposed to LED lights which are less enticing to insects.

 

Insect Spray

Some people will feel better dousing themselves with a good spray of repellant and not worry about fighting the biting little-winged devils. Place a few cans of both organic and full throttle bug spray for guests to help themselves if they feel the need. Certain guests will appreciate the kinder, gentler organic version, while others will prefer to cover themselves with the heavier formula.

 

 

You may also like Dining Etiquette: What Do You Do If It Rains?. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.