Entertaining outside is one of the benefits of summer weather, but out-of-control mosquitoes can make an evening spent outside less than pleasant for your guests. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep those skeeters at bay! Here are a few suggestions from our real estate agents for making your patio party more enjoyable for everyone.

• Use scents mosquitoes hate.
  Mosquitoes hate certain strong, sharp scents enough that using them liberally can help keep the biting pests away. Citronella is a common scent that people use to ward off mosquitoes and can be burned in candle form or added to tiki torch fuels. Cedar oil is another that mosquitoes and other pests dislike, so you can dilute it with water and spray it on the grass, plants, and outdoor furniture for a fresh scent and a bug-free experience.
  
  
• Plan your landscaping to minimize mosquitoes.
  Certain plants will help to deter mosquitoes as well. Plant marigolds, citronella-scented geraniums, mint, lemongrass, and rosemary in liberal amounts throughout your garden to deter mosquitoes from setting up shop. If you have an outdoor living space where you like to entertain, fill the pots and planters with these plants. Also, remove any evergreen bushes whose thick branches provide plenty of dark, cool hiding places for mosquitoes.
  
  
• Opt for running water.
  If you plan water features in your garden, ensure you opt for running water, such as fountains and ponds with some current. Mosquitoes breed in still water, so bird baths and still ponds can attract more of these pests. If you have still water that can't be helped, refresh it regularly or treat it with mosquito dunks to make it inhospitable to them. Mosquitoes don't travel far, so if you can minimize their breeding grounds in your own yard, you'll have fewer of them around to "bug" your guests.
  
  
• Install fans in your outdoor living spaces.
  You may have noticed that many Atlanta homes for sale have well-planned outdoor living spaces with fans in the ceiling. This isn't only to dispel heat. An air current also helps eliminate mosquitoes since they aren't strong fliers and tend to subside in breezy conditions. Adding a ceiling fan to your outdoor entertaining spaces will do double duty and help keep guests comfortable in more ways than one.
  
  
• Hang mosquito netting.
  If you have a dedicated outdoor living room for entertaining, consider hanging mosquito netting to help keep your guests more comfortable. Mosquito netting is thin, can be hung from the patio roof or in the windows in an enclosed outdoor living space, and allows fresh air while keeping bugs out. If you don't have a dedicated outdoor living room or want to entertain out in the yard, consider investing in a temporary gazebo with netted walls that you can set up whenever needed.
  
  
• Turn on an invisible shield.
  Many products on the market are designed to keep mosquitoes away without odor. You can wear personal devices that keep mosquitoes away while you work in the yard, but for entertaining, invest in a tabletop device that will clear the entire patio, like the one by Thermacell.

Does your dream home include beautiful outdoor spaces as well as a luxurious interior? If your current home doesn't support your summer entertaining goals, or if you want to be able to enjoy a beautiful yard, contact us today, and we'll help you get your search started.