Nobody likes to open the front door in the evening and be immediately attacked by insects, but the warm glow of the porch lamps is like a magnet for them. What to do? Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the number of unwanted insects around your entrance. One of the simplest solutions is to switch to LED or yellow "mosquito repellent" lamps. You can also try to make the environment more inhospitable for insects with aromatic candles, spices, using an electric shock device, installing an aviary or a mosquito net for total protection. If nothing has worked, you can always resort to the trusty flytrap!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use Alternative Lighting Solutions
Step 1. Turn off any lights you don't use
The heat and light emanating from the porch lamps are like bugs' beacons, so the easiest way to reduce their numbers is to leave them in the dark. Avoid turning on the lights as long as there is enough visibility outside.
- This is not the most practical advice to follow, as many homeowners prefer to leave their porch lights on overnight for safety reasons.
- Try connecting the lamps to a timer or a light sensor that turns them on in the evening and turns them off automatically when the sun comes up.
Step 2. Test the yellow bulbs
Look for special "mosquito repellent" lamps designed to keep insects away. Yellow has one of the highest wavelengths in the visible spectrum; this makes it very difficult for insects to see. Almost everyone will pass by the lamp without even noticing it.
- If you don't like the idea of replacing all the awning lamps, you can also try lining them with yellow cellophane to achieve the same effect.
- One downside to yellow light bulbs is that they make the whole house yellow. This certainly won't help you win the neighborhood's "coolest house" contest.
Step 3. Switch to LED lamps
LED bulbs emit far less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs, and their light isn't as attractive to insects. Almost all of them give off a clean, white glow, so the house won't be marred by the yellow color of the bug lamps. You can find the perfect LED lamps for your needs in many shops and supermarkets.
LED bulbs cost more than traditional ones. For this reason, it can be less expensive to use them only for the lamps closest to the entrances
Step 4. Light some candles
Aromatic candles are particularly effective in repelling winged intruders. They also serve as a stylish secondary lighting source, so they're a great solution. For best results, place them on a table or railing right under the light that attracts insects.
- Look for candles with pungent smelling oils and additives, such as lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender.
- Lemongrass candles are the most used and most effective against insects. You can find them in stores that sell home and garden items.
- A sea of sparkling candles can be a beautiful sight, but don't forget that it poses a fire hazard. Be sure to put candles in jars or candle holders and keep them at a safe distance from curtains, cushions, plants and all flammable objects.
Step 5. Invest in an electric mosquito net
Although the action of these devices is rather disgusting, there is a reason they have long been a great solution against insects. Their blue light attracts insects, and the electric shocks finish the job when they get close. Just hang the mosquito net a short distance from the lamp and let it do its job.
- Given the constant noise of discharges and the smell of burning insects, electric mosquito nets are not the ideal solution for those who want to use the veranda as a relaxation area.
- If you don't like the idea of killing bugs en masse, try less drastic solutions.
Method 2 of 2: Employ other Deterrents
Step 1. Install an outdoor ceiling fan
If your home has a porch that surrounds it with the roof, one or more fans can solve your problem. Not only do they help reduce the number of flying insects by literally blowing them away, but they cool the environment and make it more hospitable in the hot summer months.
Keeping the outside air moving is also helpful in dispersing carbon dioxide, food particles, and other human odors that attract insects
Step 2. Put some pungent spices on the porch
Fill a couple of coffee filters or pieces of cheesecloth with pungent herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf, or citrus peel, then tie them into sachets. Hang them close to lamps or in less visible places, such as under roof eaves or behind a vase. Any insects nearby will smell and avoid getting close.
Replace the bags a couple of times a week when you feel they have lost power
Step 3. Spray the area with herbal tea
Spices aren't the only natural insect repellents. You can achieve equally effective results by combining essential oils such as rosemary, mint, thyme, lavender or clove with small amounts of soap and water. Spray the solution in hidden spots, making sure you don't get the cables and other electrical devices wet.
- It may be necessary to spray the solution once or twice a day during the summer, when insects are most abundant.
- You can also mix essential oils with a mild carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil and apply them to the skin as a repellent.
Step 4. Put on a mosquito net
Very tight mesh nets can become a permanent insect barrier for larger porches and outdoor seating areas. When protecting your home, be sure to choose a mosquito net that is narrow enough to prevent midges and other tiny insects from getting into the crevices. An experienced professional can install a mosquito net on your porch in just one afternoon for a few hundred euros.
- If you are good with tools, you can try to install the mosquito net by yourself.
- A fly or moth can enter when the door is open, so it's a good idea to use the mosquito net in combination with insect lights, electric discharge lamps, or scented candles.
Step 5. Install a nearby bird or bat aviary
Mount it on a tree, fence, or pole and place small fruits or seeds inside to attract visitors. Insects are the natural prey of almost all large winged creatures. By inviting them into your garden, you allow nature to take its course.
- You can often find bird and bat aviaries at home and garden supply stores.
- Place the structure far enough away from home so that you don't have birds too close to the porch. They will come hunting alone when they get hungry.
Step 6. Eliminate all puddles of water
It is not uncommon to find swarms of insects in places where water has settled. Drain ponds, canals and low spots in the garden with a pump, or dig canals to promote better soil drainage. You'll probably notice a big difference right away.
- If you live in an area where it rains a lot, consider filling problem areas with sand, gravel, or a mix of those materials. Rainwater will seep into the soil instead of collecting on the surface.
- Stagnant water is the preferred habitat of disease-carrying insects, such as mosquitoes.
Advice
- There is no reason to get rid of all the insects that live near your home. They may bother you, but they are an integral part of the ecosystem.
- Use all the methods necessary to improve the situation. For example, you could start turning on the porch lights later, light citronella candles in the evening, and even use an electric mosquito net to catch any insects that come near anyway.
- Too many insects can indicate an infestation. If the problem does not improve, call an exterminator and ask them to look for places where the insects nest or enter the house.
Warnings
- Do not use pesticide sprays, pesticides, or other poisonous chemicals near your home. They can be dangerous, especially for children and pets.
- Yellow lights are not 100% effective. A fraction of the light will remain visible to insects with the keenest senses.
