John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com.
Around this time every spring, a truck with a large metal tank would pull up to my family’s rural Ohio home and offer to spray for “bugs.” It must have been a reasonable price because my father generally paid. The service differed from today’s exterminators, who spray carefully measured insecticide around the foundation. It was more like a pressure washing with a chemical solution that smelled like mothballs. They inundated the entire house to the point it was dripping off the walls and puddling in the yard.
It’s hard to say for sure precisely what the sprayer used, but some common insecticides of that era included DDT, a highly effective insecticide that was banned in the U.S. in 1972 due to its harmful effects on human health and the environment; Chlordane, taken off the market in the U.S. in the ’80s due to health risks; and Organophosphates, a class of insecticides still in use today, but in formulations safer than older versions. These chemicals were effective against a wide range of pests but, unfortunately, they also posed significant health risks to people and pets exposed to them.
Of course, there was also the distinct possibility the whole thing was just an annual scam that used water with naphtha added to it and wasn’t even vaguely effective.
At this juncture, you may be thinking, wow, you country folk were gullible/stupid. However, when I moved to the leafy, upscale suburb of Perrysburg a couple of decades later, I was stunned to see a truck not unlike the one that visited my childhood home driving down the street on a summer evening, gleefully dispersing a cloud that smelled very similar.
That cloud-creating truck was called a fogger, and the method was popular in the ’70s and ’80s for combatting mosquitoes. The technique involved creating a fine mist or “fog” of insecticide that would linger in the air. While fogging is still used in some areas, it’s become less common due to concerns about environmental impact and potential health risks. More targeted mosquito control methods are often preferred these days.
While mosquitoes, flies, yellowjackets and spiders can still turn a relaxing afternoon into a swatting frenzy, today’s insecticides are safer and more effective. Non-spray alternatives like zappers and Thermocels are readily available, but there are also a few natural pest control methods to keep your home and yard a haven for humans, not creepy crawlies.
Seal tiny gaps around windows, doors and vents. Invest in weather stripping and repair any screens with holes. To block entry points, you can also add fine mesh screens to vents and chimneys.
Keep outdoor trash cans tightly sealed and away from the house. Empty them regularly to avoid attracting flies and other scavengers.
Plant herbs like citronella, lemongrass, lavender and rosemary around your patio or doorways. These fragrant deterrents naturally repel mosquitoes and flies.
Whip up a natural bug spray by mixing essential oils like citronella, peppermint or cedarwood with witch hazel or water.
Slice lemons or limes and place them around your outdoor space. The citrus scent helps keep flies at bay.
Attract natural predators! Ladybugs love aphids, and praying mantises enjoy a grasshopper snack. Planting flowers that attract these beneficial insects can help keep your garden pest-free naturally.
While these natural methods are effective for most situations, severe infestations may require professional help. But with a bit of planning and these handy tips, you can enjoy a pest-free summer and reclaim your outdoor space!