Farmhouse PorchFarmhouse Porch, Austin

What Natural Things Keep Mosquitoes Away?Beyond removing standing water from your property, you can try a number of other techniques to prevent mosquitoes from biting you, though none are a perfect solution. Fans. Because mosquitoes are not strong flyers, the air stream emitted by a fan is like a gale force wind to them — they can’t fly in the face of it. If you sit directly in the breeze, the bugs shouldn’t be able to reach you.Bat houses. “Bats definitely do eat mosquitoes,” Bentley says. Adding bat houses to your property can be a potential secondary solution, though Bentley would never recommend them as the only solution. Citronella. Citronella is an EPA-registered mosquito repellent, but citronella candles and torches have questionable efficacy. That’s because a breeze can blow away their effects, according to multiple mosquito experts we spoke with. Bottom line: “If you’re not sitting directly in the plume it’s not going to ward off mosquitoes,” Gangloff-Kaufmann says. Cutting back vegetation. Reducing shade in a garden or backyard is one strategy to ward off day-biting mosquitoes that carry Zika, because these day-biters don’t like being in direct sun. Or you can simply use this knowledge to be strategic about what part of your yard you hang out in. “If you have a hot, sunny spot, you can go there and not get bitten,” Gangloff-Kaufmann says.What Kills Mosquitoes?Mosquito traps. Mosquito traps kill mosquitoes. But there is a challenge in using them: The traps work by first attracting mosquitoes, so they may effectively bring more mosquitoes to your yard than would otherwise visit. That’s why Bentley says there’s this saying in the pest management world: “Your best mosquito solution is your neighbor’s mosquito trap.”Insecticide sprays. The EPA registers pesticides and sets the restrictions for residential use. But do keep in mind that spraying any chemical poses some risks. “You should never, ever apply pesticides unless there is a distinct need to do so,” says Joe Conlon, a medical entomologist and technical advisor for the American Mosquito Control Association. And if you do go this route, it’s a good idea to hire a certified professional trained on how to properly apply mosquito insecticide in a residential setting. Sprays can last four weeks, says Bentley, of the National Pest Management Association. For more information on pesticides, visit the EPA website or the National Pesticide Information Center at Oregon State University.

A fan with a light serves two functions on a porch. There’s a fan for every style. This one recalls barn lights and thus is an appropriate choice for a farmhouse. Consult a lighting designer if you’re not sure which style is right for your space

size and length of porch clean style

Fan on ceilings and patios help keep away mosquitos. Also look into heater insets into ceiling (like reception place) for this space.

Outdoor ceiling fans help discourage mosquitos..

FANS: EXTERIORS A fan with a light serves two functions on a porch. There’s a fan for every style. This one recalls barn lights and thus is an appropriate choice for a farmhouse.

Beyond removing standing water from your property, you can try a number of other techniques to prevent mosquitoes from biting you, though none are a perfect solution.