How to Keep Bugs Away

Bug infestations are annoying at best and, at their worst, expose you to infections or disease. While keeping bugs out of your home or outdoor area does take preparation, it's simple once you gather the right materials. You can use preventative measures, humane methods, or chemical cleaners to drive bugs away. Decide which options are best for your situation and try several to repel bugs quickly and effectively.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Repelling Bugs While Outdoors

Find an outdoor location that is dry with little standing water like ponds or puddles, since a lot of bugs are attracted to sources of water.^{[1]XExpert SourceKevin Carrillo
Pest Control SpecialistExpert Interview. 22 October 2019.} If you're spending a lot of time outdoors, find a place that is higher-up, like at the top of a hill.^{[2]XResearch source}
2
Set up a physical barrier between you and the insects. If you spend a lot of time camping or on your backyard deck, install a mesh screen around the area you're sitting to keep bugs out. Or, if you're planning to walk around, wear a mesh head net paired with a long-sleeved shirt and pants.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you are camping, cover any tent or cabin openings with a mesh barrier that can allow airflow in while keeping bugs outside.
- Most outdoor or camping specialty shops sell mesh screens or head nets.
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3
Wear a bug repellant spray or wristband. If you plan to spend a lot of time outside and want to avoid bug bites, apply bug spray before you go outdoors. Some outdoor clothing brands sell lightweight shirts, pants, or wristbands to keep bugs from resting or biting your skin.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If you do not have insect-repellent spray or clothing, layer your clothes with long sleeves and pants to keep bugs from biting your skin.
4
Set up a food trap to divert bugs from your area. Place a bowl of jelly or other sugary food 10–20 feet (3–6 m) away from the area you plan to be. This will keep many, though not all, nearby bugs distracted.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Usually, 1-2 tablespoons (0.5-1.0 oz) of jelly or sugary food is enough to distract bugs. You might also use desserts, granulated/powdered sugar, or any other sweet snack you have on hand.
- Hanging up plastic bags of sugar water around your outdoor perimeter can distract flies.^{[6]XResearch source}
5
Use garlic to keep bugs away from outdoor lights. Steep 2 or 3 garlic cloves in hot water for about 15 minutes, then put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray the garlic water on your outdoor light bulbs or flashlights every several days.^{[7]XResearch source}
- This method works because the heat from the lights emits the smell of garlic, which bugs find repellent.
6
Throw sage into a burning fire to deter bugs. When building a campfire or backyard bonfire, add a few sticks of dry sage. Sage is more pleasant-smelling than most insect repellents and can work as an alternative to chemical sprays.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Sage is especially effective at repelling mosquitoes.^{[9]XResearch source}
7
Light citronella candles to keep mosquitos at bay. Citronella is a sweet-smelling fragrance that repels mosquitos. Light 2 or 3 citronella candles nearby while outdoors to avoid mosquito bites.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Citronella candles can also be used indoors if you have a persistent mosquito problem.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Bug-Proofing Your Home

1
Clean your house regularly to prevent bug infestations.^{[11]XExpert SourceKevin Carrillo
Pest Control SpecialistExpert Interview. 22 October 2019.} Insects gravitate to bad odors and messy areas. Vacuum your home and take out the trash regularly. Pay special attention to food—get rid of crumbs, spills, or rotting food immediately. Wash your dishes and any food prep areas daily.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Store your food in airtight containers made of plastic or glass.
Inspect your home from the outside and make a note of any torn window screens, cracked pipes or vents, or broken weather-stripping. Fill any cracks you find and repair any broken fixtures to keep ants out.^{[13]XResearch source}
3
Turn on several fans around your house to repel winged bugs. Fans help dissipate human scents or secretions so that bugs who are attracted to them (like mosquito or bed bugs) will be less interested in your home. In addition, most bugs dislike heavy winds and will avoid areas with fans.
- Turn off your fans whenever you leave your house to keep the power bill low.
4
Set up sticky traps to catch bugs in problem areas. Watch for areas in your home that you notice a lot of ants, cockroaches, or other wingless insects. Put up a few glue traps and check on them periodically throughout the week. Replace the glue traps whenever you notice them filling up.^{[14]XResearch source}
- You can also set up hanging sticky traps to catch winged insects.
5
Use pesticides at your own risk. If you have a persistent bug infestation, you may find chemical sprays more effective than preventative measures. Read your pesticide's instructions and safety warnings before you use it. Make sure the pesticide you choose is safe to use indoors, as some are outdoor-use only.
- Spray your pesticide in a well-ventilated area, with your windows down and doors open.
- If you do not want to spray pesticides by yourself, hire an insect exterminator.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Trying Natural Remedies

1
Grow house or garden plants that repel insects. Some plants emit a smell that bugs find repellent, which can transform your home from an insect magnet to a bug-free haven. Add a variety of indoor and outdoor plants to your property so as many insects are driven away as possible.^{[15]XResearch source}
- For outdoor plants, try lemongrass, chrysanthemums, marigolds, petunias, and pitcher plants.
- For houseplants, try bromeliads, citronella, catnip, jade plants, and Venus flytraps.
2
Use bug-repellent herbs or herbal cleaners to humanely get rid of bugs. Like plants, some herbs also have a repugnant smell to insects. Grow a few bug-repelling herbs around your home or look for natural cleaners that contain herb oils for a fragrant alternative to chemical cleaners.
- Bay leaf, mint, rosemary, basil, and lavender are all bug-repelling herbs.^{[16]XResearch source}
3
Use lemon eucalyptus oil to keep bugs off of your furniture or clothing. Mix lemon eucalyptus oil with water in a small spray bottle and apply it to fabric items you want to keep bugs away from. While the oil is usually effective, it does not last as long as chemical cleaners—re-apply the oil every 2 or 3 days for lasting benefits.
- Add around 5-10 lemon eucalyptus oil drops per 1 cup (8 oz) of water.
4
Try natural, store-bought cleaners for an environmentally-friendly option. When shopping for natural repellents, check the ingredient list to make sure it doesn't contain any strong chemicals. Check the online reviews for natural cleaners before you purchase them to make sure they're both safe and effective.
- When looking for natural cleaners, avoid bug repellant made of DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535.^{[17]XResearch source}
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Expert Q&A

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Question
What's the best way to get rid of gnats?
Kevin Carrillo
MMPC, Pest Control Specialist
Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.
Kevin Carrillo
MMPC, Pest Control Specialist
Expert Answer
Generally, areas with large moisture buildup are what attract gnats, so eliminating the excess moisture will help. For example, if you notice gnats around a potted plant, let the plant dry out a bit to get rid of them. For a faster solution, you can use chemicals labeled for gnats combined with a UV light trap.
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Tips

Avoid wearing strong-smelling perfumes, soaps, or deodorants if you want to keep bugs off of your body.^{[18]XResearch source}
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Consider cutting back tree branches and vines that are close to your home so they don't provide a pathway for bugs, like ants, to find their way onto and into your home.^{[19]XExpert SourceKevin Carrillo
Pest Control SpecialistExpert Interview. 22 October 2019.}
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Crumbled charcoal is efficient at keeping ants away from food.^{[20]XResearch source}
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