15 Easy Methods for Backyard Bugs Control

When the warm weather is upon us, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in our own backyard havens. Drinks in hand, yard games, nights under the stars… You name it; everyone agrees that the backyard’s the place to do it—except for the bugs, of course. Those backyard bugs control your fun, but we’ve got the guide to keep them at bay this year.

Here’s how to keep those annoying pests out of your hair so you can enjoy that beautiful weather.

Which Bugs Are the Good Bugs, and Which are the Bad Bugs?

Before we go too far into the different wants to control backyard bugs, let’s take a look at which bugs we want to control, and which are A-okay to hang out all summer long.

A-Okay Bugs

Not all bugs are bad. The bugs we want to keep around are those that eat pest species, pollinate vegetable and fruit plants, and those that aerate the soil. Here are some beneficial bugs we want around:

• Ground beetles: They aerate the soil and eat pest species
• Honeybees: These buzzy little friends pollinate plants that give us fruits and vegetables
• Worms: Earthworms dig through the soil to aerate it and they compost decaying plants for nutrient-rich soil
• Flies: Look, we know this is a hot take. But it’s important to realize that a lot of flies feed on smaller pest species, which is beneficial. But, if you decide to take a “hard no” on these bugs, we get it.
• Spiders: They might startle you, but garden spiders are amazing in backyards. They eat tons of pest bugs and are usually of no threat to humans. They’re not everyone’s favorite inside, however.
• Ladybugs: Ladybugs are voracious aphid-eaters, and therefore are excellent to have in a backyard or garden.
• Praying mantis: Praying mantis are non-discriminatory eats. They snack on beneficial bugs, pest bugs, and everything in between (some even trap and eat birds). But, they’re generally handy to have in a backyard and don’t need to be killed or repelled.
• Butterflies: Butterflies are excellent pollinators, jumping from flower to flower to drink nectar while also spreading pollen. Butterflies are always a win in the backyard.

The Not-So-Okay Bugs

These insects are those that sting, bite, spread disease, or destroy crops. Keep in mind that a few of these insects have benefits, as well.

• Aphids: Aphids are tiny little green bugs, and they can infest plants quickly and cause a lot of damage.
• Mosquitoes and midges: Mosquitoes and midges aren’t just annoying pests, they’re also biting insects that can transmit diseases.
• Wasps and yellow jackets: Let us preface this by saying that wasps and yellow jackets are pollinators and generally pretty beneficial. However, getting stung while doing an underdog on the backyard swings is never fun.
• Caterpillars: We love butterflies, but a lot of the caterpillars that turn into those flying beautiful are absolute destruction in a cute, multi-legged body. Some are also poisonous or can cause irritation, so it’s best to keep these guys at bay until they become beautiful pollinators.
• Fire ants: Some areas of the country have to deal with fire ants, which pack a painful bite and can quickly ruin a backyard party.
• Grubs: Grubs become beetles, and beetles nuke backyard plants. Keeping grubs away can help keep the yard more enjoyable for the impending season of revelry and fun.

How To Control Backyard Bugs This Year

The following are some of the most effective and easiest methods for pest-proofing your yard space this year. Let the backyard party begin:

Stay on Top of Tall Grass

Tall grass is a problem. It retains moisture, allows pests like clover mites, ticks, and chiggers to reach pets and people, and generally creates a haven for backyard bugs. Regularly mow to keep the lawn short (3 to 4 inches is great, in most cases) to allow the soil to breathe and keep your yard lush without inviting pests.

Note: This is actually one of the most common ways that homeowners are inviting pests to their homes, so it really does deserve some focus.

Remove Large Piles of Debris

Piles of yard waste and debris can attract insects and other pests. They retain moisture and provide the ideal hangout or den for many bugs. Instead of letting these piles sit around, dispose of them. If they’re biodegradable, compost them with your municipality. If not, throw them out at the local dump.

Dry or Drain Standing Water

Standing water is a breeding ground for midge and mosquito larvae, whether it be in the backyard or near a lake. These flying insects lay eggs in spaces that collect water like puddles, watering cans, buckets, kiddie pools, gutters, sunken areas in the yard, hollowed tree stumps and trunks, and anywhere else that standing water is undisturbed. It’s best to drain these areas to prevent bugs from thriving and avoid the summer annoyances and their potential diseases.

Citronella Candles and Plants Are Your Friends

Bugs hate citronella oil, and this natural repellent can be found in candles and, obviously, the plants. Sit some plant pots out on a patio or sitting area, and burn the candles whenever you’re hanging out in the backyard space.

Install Patio Fans

One of the most overlooked effective pest control methods is to use a patio fan. Moving will repel mosquitoes and midges, allowing you to avoid these biting insects during your backyard soiree. They’re generally easy to install (most just plop down in place), and they can be incredibly effective at making the yard free of pests.

Hang Bug Zappers and Flying Insects Traps

Bug zappers are old-school, but they’re effective. These bug killers have UV lights that attract bugs, and as they land on the electrified coil inside the bug zapper, they become bug toast. But, they’re generally only effective at night, and that doesn’t help us for BBQs and daytime pool parties.

Consider adding a few flying insect traps. Depending on the bug trap, these devices emit carbon dioxide, attracting bugs to the unit. Once they’re close, a fan inside the unit sucks them in and traps them inside where they dehydrate and die.

Switch Patio Lights to LEDs

All lights attract bugs to some degree, but standard incandescent lights are some of the worst. String lights and patio lights fitted with LED bulbs are much less likely to attract insects, so it may be an investment worth making.

The good news is that LED lighting has come a long way in recent years. Many devices are smart-enabled, and the harsh colors that were available when LEDs first came out are now tunable to be softer.

Keep Food Covered and Clean Up Quickly

What’s a yard party without food? A pest-free party, to be honest. But seriously, covering your food with a mesh food cover is one of the easiest ways to avoid ants, flies, yellow jackets (which love meat, by the way), and other bugs and wild animals from coming to the party. If you don’t have mesh covers, bring the food inside as soon as everyone finishes eating.

Move Trash Cans Away from the Party

Trash cans are a magnet for flies, yellow jackets, and rodents (they can even attract animals), and very few people want to spend their backyard time with these bugs. Rather than repel bugs, relocate them by moving the trash cans away from the yard. Place them on the other side of the garage, or better yet, in your neighbor’s yard.

We’re kidding. Unless your neighbors suck. Then put your garbage cans in their yard and let the wild animals ruin their good time.

Light Those Tiki Torches

Tiki torches are great for setting an atmosphere, but Tiki fluid is simply citronella oil (the oil found in lemon balm plants). It sends these bug-repellent plants’ oils through the air, chasing away many bugs including flying pests before they can ruin the party.

Grow Bug Repellent Plants

Imagine a yard or garden that keeps bugs away naturally. You can have this if you plant bug-repellent plants around the yard.These varieties include:

• Chrysanthemums
• Lavender
• Citronella
• Thyme
• Mint
• Basil
• Lemongrass
• Alliums
• Marigolds
• Petunias
• Mosquito plant

Setting these plants up in containers, flower pots, or in garden beds will help reduce the chance of pests bothering you in the yard throughout the summer. Just be sure to water regularly to ensure they make it through the entire season. As far as wasps go, these plants are far more effective than fake wasps nests.

Invite Birds and Bats to the Party

Birds and bats are an incredible natural pest control. These natural predators can eat tons of bugs (not literally) every day, reducing the size of the population you have to deal with. Building and hanging a birdhouse and a bat house can encourage these critters to call your yard home, where they can eat all they want.

Create a Mulch Barrier

There’s another effective way at keeping ticks and other crawling pests from making their way into the yard, and that’s by creating a mulch barrier around the entire yard. Cedar mulch is the most effective wood mulch because most bugs don’t like cedar, but redwood mulch can also be effective. However, stone or pebble mulch is often the best option, as a wide moat of stone mulch around the lawn will prevent bugs from crawling in and can even help define the space.

Pretreat the Yard

Our last option is pretreating the yard with a pesticide. These chemicals (typically bifenthrin) can be applied by attaching the spray bottle to a garden hose and applying a layer of product the night before a shindig. Any insect that it lands on will likely die quickly, and these treatments can be effective for protecting a yard from other bugs for up to 8 weeks.

The downside is that these harsh chemicals will kill beneficial bugs too, and misuse of the chemical can be detrimental to the environment. For this reason, we suggest many homeowners consider hiring a professional pest control company to treat their backyard. It’s a DIYable project, sure, but pros know exactly how much chemical to spray and to where in the lawn, and this could help lessen the impact on the lawn and its surrounding ecosystem.

Fog the Yard

Another option for getting rid of backyard bugs is to use a mosquito fogger. These devices emit pesticides in tiny particles, creating a fog in the backyard. As the fog lands on the pests underneath (or in the air) it will start killing them instantly. The solution is only temporary (72 hours at most), but they can provide plenty of bug-free time for a backyard bash.

Let the Party Begin

By using these tips, your lawn festivities should be well on their way to being pest-free. So kick back and enjoy that float around the pool without the worry of small pests and biting bugs ruining your good time.

FAQs

How Do I Get Rid of Bugs In My Backyard?

The easiest way to get rid of bugs in a backyard is to spray with a chemical pesticide. However, some more natural methods include keeping the grass short, removing any standing water, and using patio fans to keep the air moving.

Why Does My Backyard Have So Many Bugs?

Typically, a lot of insects in a backyard is a sign of too much moisture. This can be caused by either the ground doesn’t drain well, doesn’t get enough sun, the grass being too tall, or a combination of these situations.

Why Can I Spray Outside to Keep Bugs Away?

We suggest using a bifenthrin-based yard spray for folks who are determined to kill and deter bugs in their lawns. These products are strong and effective, and they work quickly. Off! Backyard and Cutter Backyard are two DIY options that can do the trick.