Guide to Keeping Bugs Away: Several Methods to Keep Them at Bay

You have finally made the big decision of where to hold your event. And you spend weeks dreaming of greeting your guests in the glorious outdoors. Perhaps you are planning a lakeside bash, or a garden tea party. You have planned the food and decor, but something is bugging you. What have you forgotten?
Ah yes, its summer and besides the great outdoors having an abundance of fresh air and sunshine, there is also an abundance of.... That's right, BUGS! Mosquitos, gnats, ants, what have you. Short of handing out party favors of Deep Woods Off, how do you keep those pests at bay? Citronella scented tiki torches are one option, if you can stand the smell.
However, there are far better smelling and prettier ways to help keep you and your guests bite free!

Mosquitos can be a big problem when hosting an outdoor event. Especially if you live in the South, or are partying by a body of water. There are several natural things you can use, and your guests will never know that they are doing double duty. Marigolds are bright and cheerful and the scent they put out is considered distasteful to Mosquitos. Line a walkway with pots of them, or use them as small centerpieces to add color to your tables. Check garden centers for when they are in season. If you are hosting an outdoor barbecue, or your caterer is grilling at a food station, have Sage or Rosemary (fresh) on hand to sprinkle on the coals. Either Lavender oil or fresh Lavender can be used as a repellent. Spritz your tablecloths with the fresh soothing scent of lavender, your guests will enjoy the scent and be bug free as well! Or tuck sprigs of cut lavender into bouquets. Pretty to look at, and very useful! Using pure Vanilla will have the same effect as the lavender oil. It needs to be the real deal though, so hit up a health food store. Simply use it to scent your linens, tablecloths and napkins, can you think of a better way to repel insects?

Flies can be a problem anywhere outside. And there are several ways to deter them as well. Crushed mint placed in the base of your floral arrangements are a sweet way to take care of flies! Get creative and find other ways to use this herb in your decor. You can also use bay leaves, cloves and eucalyptus wrapped in cheese cloth squares as a deterrent. Place around the base of tables and near trash receptacles. This may or may not be an old wives tale, but it has been suggested that flies dislike the color yellow! Perhaps working this into your color scheme could be the perfect and safest way to get rid of the problem? Its worth a try!

Who hasn't been bothered by ants at a picnic? Food attracts them so unless you plan on not serving anything, they are bound to show up. But what are some of the best ways to discourage these visitors? Ants have a natural aversion to cucumbers, place slices or the peels in various inconspicuous places. Crushed mint works on ants as well! For whatever reason, ants won't cross lines of certain household items, like cinnamon, lemon juice, and coffee grounds. Outline your party area with one of these, and let me know how that works! I have also heard they won't cross a line of chalk.

I am not sure of the legitimacy of ALL these methods, but if you are concerned about using pesticides and other harmful substances around food and children, these are worth a trial run! Be creative and have fun trying them out. And for more ideas, get online, you never know what you might find...