Enjoy A Pest-Free Patio With The Help Of This Essential Oil

Americans can be found utilizing their patios and decks in all but the coldest periods of the year for backyard barbecues, outdoor dinners, or just sitting around the fire pit. Unfortunately, there are a myriad of insects and bugs (most notably mosquitos) that also enjoy these outdoor living areas during the same periods of time. Depending on the part of the country in which you live, mosquitos may be active from February through November. Most other insects have similar active time frames throughout the year. Unfortunately, these pesky bugs are also most active during the early morning and evening hours — the same time of day most people enjoy being outside, as well. 

Given the tendency of these insects to be most prevalent during the prime hours for outdoor relaxation, it is little wonder that finding ways to keep patios pest-free is a high priority for those wanting to spend time outdoors. However, of equal importance for many is finding a way to keep bugs at bay without dousing their outdoor living spaces with harmful chemicals. If you are among those searching for natural solutions for a pest-free patio, lavender may be the answer you've been looking for.

Gardeners have long considered lavender as a plant that repels pests naturally. According to USA Today, although people tend to relish the scent of lavender, most bugs are repelled by it. While there is science behind lavender's pest-repelling capabilities, it's safe to say most people only care that it works and many grow lavender to keep pests away from their backyards. However, even without planting the purple flower, you can enjoy a pest-free patio with the help of lavender essential oil.

There are a variety of ways to use lavender oil to keep your patio pest-free. To start with, secure a bottle of 100% lavender oil, such as the four ounce bottle of Handcraft Blends Premium Grade. From that point, you have a few options. One of the most common methods is to make a spray consisting of lavender oil and water. This blend should be 20% lavender oil and 80% water. You can then spray the mix on patio furniture, around the patio, and even on your clothes, if so desired. You can also soak rags and sponges in this mix, or add a few drops of straight lavender oil to the sponges or rags, and place them in small containers around your patio. 

Again, you can also plant plots or rows of lavender around your backyard living space to work 24/7 against mosquitoes. Additionally, fresh lavender flowers, whether picked from your garden or purchased, can be crushed and sprinkled about or placed in small containers on the patio to help ward off mosquitoes. When crushed, the flowers will be even more fragrant and emit more of the linalool-rich essential oil that mosquitoes despise.