What to do about flying insects in patio area? (neighborhood, live in)

[james.link08]

If you can stand the noise - try an electric bug zapper. We bought one several years ago and have found it pretty effective at keeping the flying pests at bay. Another idea is to think about screening in your patio. It might not be feasible for you but it would keep the unwanted critters out.

[Fontucky]

Wrong part of the country for this subject.

[eureka1]

Like we don't have flying insects in California? I screened in my front porch last year-best thing we ever did. Now we can keep the door open on pleasant evenings without a mosquito invasion.

[Charles]

We used to get annoyed by wasps in Thouasnd Oaks when we would eat on the patio. They'd love to fly onto your plate of just removed grilled chicken for example.

One thing that I've heard about trying and it sounds like it would help is place a can of non-diet coke, probably even better if the top is completely cut off, away from you like 40 feet or so. They will sort of be drawn to it.

Here's one that does work: Place a box fan near your table and blow air across your eating area, as strong as you can get it without blowing your paper plates and cups and such off the table. Those wasps don't like to get in your way when it is too breezy.

Mosquitoes are most active around dawn or dusk. I spend a lot of time on soccer fields in late summer and fall and now spring here in Huntsville right around 5-8 PM - prime mosquito time. I just use lots of OFF or spray and keep covered. It isn't so bad if I am moving around but if I am not coaching and just sitting there (checking out the hot soccer moms), then I am liable to get bit.

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by eureka1

Like we don't have flying insects in California? I screened in my front porch last year-best thing we ever did. Now we can keep the door open on pleasant evenings without a mosquito invasion.

Move down to the Bay Area. We don't seem to have mosquitos here. It must be due to our excellent vector control! Yeah, for the mosquito patrol!!!!

[rah]

Originally Posted by Dean Trails

Move down to the Bay Area. We don't seem to have mosquitos here. It must be due to our excellent vector control! Yeah, for the mosquito patrol!!!!

There are definitely mosquitoes in the Bay Area, it just depends on if the weather is warm, and how close you are to standing water/parks/nature, etc. I live right in the middle of SF, and during heatwaves we usually get a good amount of mosquitoes (though of course it doesn't compare to say a summer evening in the Sierras or something). I live in an area of SF where most people have backyards though, so as long as you're in someone's yard on a warm night you might be in mosquito territory. Stick to the street or denser areas with no yards, and I doubt you'll ever see a mosquito.

[happ]

Candles work a little if it is calm. Ironically the worse season for mosquitoes in LA is winter when rain leaves puddles otherwise they really aren't a major problem.

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by Dean Trails

Move down to the Bay Area. We don't seem to have mosquitos here. It must be due to our excellent vector control! Yeah, for the mosquito patrol!!!!

Like the other person said it's nothing like the sierras but we have our share of mosquitoes. A few years ago we had a really bad summer. I must have gotten 40 bites on my legs in just a couple of weeks. I still have quite a few scars from scratching them too much. We called mosquito control out and they were there the following day. He took a look around and found the storm drains full of them. He said he had never seen it so bad. After that the neighborhood was on their check list and the number of bites dropped to just a handful per summer.