How To Keep Mosquitoes Off Your Patio This Summer

Florida’s rainy season is here and that means the blood-sucking mosquitos are back for more action. If you’re one of those people that get bit like crazy this time of year, this one’s for you. Keep mosquitoes away from your patio all summer long with a few tricks Tampa Bay locals say are the most effective.

Mosquitos are one of those insects that no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to fully work.  One Tampa local went asking around on the r/Tampa Reddit thread looking for advice.

The original poster said, “What do you use to keep mosquitos away on your patio?” With the rainy season in full swing, it’s time to take action and get rid of mosquitoes on your patio.

When you’re chilling on your patio on a summer night, the last thing you want to worry about is getting torn up by mosquitoes. They can quickly turn a good night bad.

Locals rushed in to give their two cents on methods they use to keep mosquitoes away from their patio and like always, the people delivered. 

First, we’ll start with the cheaper routes to keep mosquitoes away from your patio. A few locals suggested they use Thermacell. But, what is Thermacell?

Thermacell is a small device that creates zones that “effectively repel mosquitoes”. According to their website, Thermacell creates a 20ft zone that disperses repellant that keep mosquitoes away. You simply push the button to start and it starts working. 

There is no scent, no sprays, and no chemicals sitting on your skin. Thermacell comes in both fuel-powered or battery-operated which can work while camping or while you’re out fishing.

Another user chimed in with an odd, but effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your patio. The user said, “So I didn’t know this was a thing but my neighbor has a bat house in his back yard and it keeps the mosquitoes away because the bats will eat them!”

The same way you hang up birdhouses for birds, you can do for bats. Bat houses are a very effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your patio.

Bat Management says, “Putting up bat houses may be quite helpful in places where appropriate bats can be attracted, but even successful bat houses do not always attract a species that feeds heavily on mosquitoes … Bat houses can be beneficial, and attracting bats is far safer than applying toxic chemicals.

Bat houses can be found at Ace Hardware, Amazon, and other local hardware stores for anywhere starting around $30. Bat houses can be a great option, but there’s a catch. You will have more bats around so you decide if that’s a tradeoff you would rather have.

If you’re looking to spend a bit more to keep mosquitoes away from your patio, screen enclosures are a big help. Not only do they keep mosquitoes away, but they stop other insects and animals from getting into your patio.

You can light up a few citronella candles, put up some screens, and add in a fan or two to keep them away. By adding in fans, you keep the air moving constantly making it nearly impossible for the mosquitoes to land on you. 

You can always go with one of the Mosquito foggers, but that comes with a price. There are DIY options, but come in close to $100. Services are also effective, but if you have pets, you’ll want to see what’s best for your pets as well.

They are every Floridian's worst fear. Those pesky flying cockroaches can freak anyone out. So how do you keep your house free of palmetto bugs? Most people have accepted that it is a part of living in Florida and they may come across them every now and then. And if you're new to the state, you may not know how common these creepy crawlies are. But it doesn't have to be that way...

First off let us explain that even these tips aren't 100% guaranteed to free your house of palmetto bugs or cockroaches. But you will likely go a long period before coming across one. If you live directly under a large tree, you may never escape these creatures. I have a large oak tree on the side of my yard, and in my backyard, and all the pesticides in the world couldn't save me from what lives in there.

Many people think that palmetto bugs are different than cockroaches. But really, they're the same thing. Adult American cockroaches are large and winged. According to Orkin, their coloration is dark brown with a cream-colored prothorax that has dark markings that resemble sunglasses. Sound familiar? People confuse them with Florida Woods Cockroach (Eurycotis floridana). It looks very similar to the "average" cockroach but they actually lack wings and are slow-moving. These bugs thrive near water and usually won't colonize inside structures.

A helpful Reddit user pointed out the most common cockroach species here in Florida. They said if you ever spot a German Cockroach you need to "deal with it yesterday". These problematic pests thrive on human food/waste. They are fast and good at hiding. These are the bugs you'll catch coming out of your drains/appliances.

Partially joking but also kinda serious. My cats will kill a cockroach anytime I spot one in the house. Sure, I still have to deal with the deceased body but at least I don't have to worry about hearing/feeling that "crunch" when you step on them. If you were thinking about adopting a cat recently, this is your sign.

Cardboard is a cockroaches dream. They feast and live off cardboard. If it's wet or rotting, they LOVE that. Always recycle your Amazon packages/other cardboard items as soon as you can.

The Reddit user that listed the handy Florida cockroach guide also mentioned this bait is great for keeping cockroaches out of your home. Another user also chimed in and said it's the only thing that's worked for them. Other tips have suggested using boric acid or insecticides. Even a few people recommended peppermint oil. Dab some oil on doors, window frames, and vents to keep cockroaches away. Just be careful with these products as they can be poisonous for pets and children!

Another house project that you should consider doing once or twice a year is re-caulking your windows and doors. It's a small step that could keep all kinds of unwanted pests out, and help lower that electric bill.

We won't tell you WHICH trusty pest service to call, that's what the Nextdoor app is for. But one fool-proof way to keeping these bugs out if your home is having a pest control service spray your house yearly or quarterly.

If all else fails, sell the house and get the heck out of there. We hear Antarctica is the only country with no cockroaches.