Your patio is definitely one of the best places to kick back and unwind. Seamlessly blending the comforts of home with the soothing expanse of the outdoors, a well-designed Perth patio can do wonders for your relaxation needs. Being partly outdoors isn’t without problems though, as “the outside world” is also home to many other critters we share this world with – some, more annoying than others. It’s part of why early man started building shelter and homes.

Especially in Australia, where we’ve seemingly drawn special attention when it comes to unique flora and fauna specimens, unwelcome critters can be a cause for concern when lounging about on your favorite patio chair or worse – while entertaining guests over dinner or a barbie. Many a homeowner has had to find creative ways to rid their backyards of bugs and such. Here are some of our top tips to keep your alfresco pest-free:

DEMOTIVATE

One of the most effective ways to keep bugs at bay is to not make them feel that they were ever at any point welcome in your home. You may not be aware of it, but sometimes in keeping our homes in great, liveable condition for us we are also making it a great place for critters other than ourselves. Here are some things to watch out for:

• • Stay Dry

Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and other bugs. Make sure you keep your backyard area dry and deal with any water that may have accumulated in parts of your home to keep pests from spawning.

• • Rubbish Containment

Keeping your home free of clutter and trash is obviously an important step in keeping a healthy and visually appealing home. What most homeowners don’t focus much attention on however is how they store their garbage. “Out of sight, out of mind” won’t cut it – it’s important that you deal with your garbage efficiently and systematically. Tie your garbage bags tightly to smother any appealing scents. If possible, try to keep your rubbish as far away from your patio as possible.

• • Light em’ Up

It’s common knowledge that bugs are drawn to light, so why not place yours in strategic locations that make the most of this well-known fact? Try to place your fixtures in spots where you won’t mind bugs hovering around. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also light up your backyard with spot lights. Not only are they perfect for outdoor use, but you can place the lights further away so that bugs can’t bother you and your guests.

• • Fast Food

Backyard entertaining and dining go hand-in-hand so well it’s almost impractical to not have food when you get people in your backyard. The thing about food though is that it’s one of the most surefire ways to attract pests – and not just of the human variety! To stave off bugs and other unwanted food fiends, try to keep the exposure of food to a minimum. Serve food only when it’s time to eat. Put away dishes and food containers after the meal.

Sharing your home with nature is kind of the whole point of having a well-designed Perth alfresco and with that comes other aspects of the outdoors that we’d rather not have (in this case, the bugs!). Make the most of your outdoor room experience by making sure yours is planned properly.