Long summer days and summer nights are upon us. After two long years of backyard renovation, we're ready to spend these summer days in our backyard for movie nights, family cookouts, smores and storytelling around the fire pit, or simply just to relax and chill out back with a cool beverage. Being able to do that comfortably requires us to set up some insect repellent control.
Behind our home is nothing but woods - it's an estate property behind us that's required to have a certain amount of wood/tree acreage, and we absolutely love having the wooded view all year long. But that comes with its fair share of furry friends and reptiles making their way into our backyard. At times, I feel like we live in a Disney movie because we see Thumper, Bambi, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore quite often and other non-fav slithery "friends."
As passionate as I am about my dislike of insects, I'm also aware that I'm stepping right into their environment by stepping outside into my backyard. I'm also aware that no single product can or will ward off 100% insects, reptiles, and fluffy animals - guaranteed - that like to partake and enjoy the same space. But there are products that help minimize and significantly reduce their presence while you're outside. So sharing with you all the best tried-and-true insect repellent tools we're using to help make our backyard a comfortable oasis for all to enjoy.
Cutter Citro Guard Candles
 | Citronella candles are a great and inexpensive way to ward off those pesky gnats, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. It can burn for up to 40 hours, so this item has longevity for multiple uses. Can pick these up in just about any local hardware store. We set ours on the gazebo table, light it up every time we're outside for longer than 30 minutes, and just let it run for as long as we're outside. These citrusy citronella candles have a very pleasant and floral scent that we enjoy as well. Click here to purchase. |
Tiki Metal Torch
 | We have two tiki metal torches on both sides of our gazebo area and four other bamboo tiki torches nearby. We light these up while we also have the cutter table citro guard candles running as well to maximize the citronella scent and build a strong parameter of repellent around us. We use the TIKI Brand BiteFighter Torch Fuel with all of the torches. These torches create a beautiful ambiance when lit at night and give off enough light to see the surrounding area around you.
We've had them for about two years and they're holding up very well - durable in all inclement weather types. Click here to purchase. |
Terro Wasp & Fly Trap
 | We have two Terro Wasp and Fly traps discreetly hanging on opposite sides of our backyard away from our primary living and entertaining areas. These traps are good for attracting and catching wasps, hornets, flies, and yellow jackets. We like that you can easily set them up, walk away, and it'll do all the work. Usually good for about four weeks, but we just buy the trap refill when it starts to run low. We leave ours hanging up year-round. Another positive is that this product doesn't carry a strong or stinky odor. Without a smell and being discreetly hidden, I often forget we even have them, but we know they're actively working. Click here to purchase. |
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Cutter Backyard Bug Control Outdoor Fogger
 | Cutter's Backyard Bug Control is one of our go-to items we have on hand AT ALL TIMES! Literally! We buy multiple cans at a time just to ensure we stay fully stocked. While the hubs and the kids are playing basketball, I can sit comfortably under the gazebo after spraying the area with this spray. This spray kills on contact for any other flying insects that are bold to still come inside the gazebo with me, this spray kills on contact! Especially mosquitoes who are heavily driven to always bite me more than anyone else. As long as we have this spray on hand, we have no problems staying outside. Click here to purchase. |
Cutter Essentials Bug Control Spray
 | Here's another Cutter item that we love and regularly use. This item is one that we hook up to the hose and spray directly over our lawn, trees, and bushes to help repel mosquitoes, gnats, and several other flying insects. Any time we're planning to host an outdoor event in our backyard, we'll spray this over the entire lawn at least 2-3 hours prior to the event. Click here to purchase. |
Cutter Propane Insect Fogger
 | Time to bring out 'next-level' repellant tactic, Cutter's Propane Insect Fogger.
Helps rid mosquitos and other flying insects for up to 6-hours around your sprayed areas. We just used this for a family backyard barbeque party we hosted this past weekend, and it was literally bug-free for the entire time we were out. My hubby sprayed this around the yard about an hour before our guests arrived. For the first time ever - hanging outside extensively for several hours - I came away unscathed without a single mosquito bite. This item is a winner in our book! Click here to purchase. |
I will say, for the most part, our best experiences have been with the Cutter brand. Most, if not all, of these items can be found at various big and small hardware and retail stores in a multitude of brands at a price that meets your budget.
Have you tried any of these items for your outdoor spaces? If so, how have your experiences been? And if you have some other outdoor products, you'd recommend, drop them in the comments below.
Note: The reviews above are my own personal opinions and experiences with the listed products. By no means is this a sponsored ad.
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