It’s the season of the year you secretly dread. The return of those insects who, with their nocturnality and treachery commit themselves to draining blood and disturbing humans with their buzzing.
Summer approaches, inviting the rains to be on their way. Here’s an unavoidable consequence of summer’s approach- it draws in the unpleasant mosquitoes.
To put it mildly, these creatures are bothersome. Not only can they carry illnesses, but the sheer stress of having to slap them off or wave your hands in the air is also enough to ruin good moments.
To keep them away or not?
If you answered yes, you’re dead right. So, as an innovative person would, you think of building up a propane fire pit to get them to keep their distance.
The question is, can a propane fire pit keep mosquitoes at bay? Keep reading, and you’ll find out.
Does a Propane Fire Repel or Attract Mosquitoes?
Time to answer the question and clear your doubts. What good does a propane fire do in repelling mosquitoes?
Sad to say, but little. Using propane in your fire pit will not keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes will stay away from your backyard if you have a fire going, agreed, but adding propane counteracts the little effectiveness the fire has to offer.
The thing is, propane happens to be a hydrocarbon. When propane is released into the atmosphere, decomposition occurs to produce carbon dioxide.
News flash: Carbon dioxide attracts female mosquitoes because it smells like exhaled human breath to them. Using the carbon dioxide we exhale, they track us down even from afar, which is how they go about finding blood and identifying their prey.
So, will propane fire repel or attract mosquitoes?
It will attract mosquitoes because of the carbon dioxide such fire gives off while burning.
There’s good news, though. To ensure your propane fireworks, you’ll need to add some strong-smelling elements to your propane fire pit to keep mosquitoes away- for good this time around.
Does Smoke From Fire Pits Keep Bugs and Mosquitoes at Bay?
Of course, mosquitoes will avoid the area wherever you have a fire pit going.
Why?
Smoke is dangerous, even for the strongest human alive. It is a natural insect repellent; therefore, bugs and mosquitoes are fearful of smoke because of its effect, which isn’t limited to these two insects.
Wondering how this goes? The following factors contribute to the efficacy of smoke screens for keeping bugs and mosquitoes away:
Smoke is a product with a high concentration of numerous volatile chemicals, effectively eliminating the ability to gain ambient oxygen.
Like all other land-based living species, insects need oxygen to maintain their metabolic activities. Mosquitoes and bugs breathe oxygenated air through their spiracles, positioned on their bodies’ surface. When they come near smoke, it obstructs their survival mechanism and they suffer badly.
However, we know that this technique isn’t perfect to control them; they’re most likely going to return when the smoke subsides. You need to up your game and find a few things you can do to amp up the effectiveness of your blazing fire!
What More Can You Put in a Fire Pit to Keep Mosquitoes Away?
In this case, we believe it’s nature combating nature. There are some helpful ingredients in the environment to learn about that can be very useful, especially when we want to end the annoyances caused by some small insects, such as mosquitoes.
Do you know that by tossing in a few herb branches, you can easily keep mosquitoes at bay whether you’re camping or enjoying a little backyard entertaining around a firepit?
Yes, with herbs like lavender, mint, lemon balm, sage, and, of course, citronella repels mosquitos. Let’s take a look:
–Lavender
This plant is great because of its lovely smell; it’s easy on the nose. Lavender is a common herb that is noted for its pleasant scent. To top the ice, It keeps insects at bay by producing a smokey repelling effect when put in the fire.
You see, mosquitoes are repelled by the scent of the cantueso variety, which is native to the Mediterranean. It is an intriguing ally when it comes to repelling insects.
Lavender thrives in pots and planters, making it suitable for use in the yard or balconies. It now works in really bright rooms as well. It doesn’t require much watering because it doesn’t tolerate waterlogging.
–Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is also known as gum trees in some areas, but it has been cultivated across the country since the late 1800s. When you put Eucalyptus herb to good use by burning in your fire pit, it can provide you with an advantage over other types of firewood while fighting mosquitoes in your garden.
The potent natural component eucalyptol (also known as cineole) found in the bark of eucalyptus trees is often used as an insect repellant. It smells fantastic and burns extremely hot since it’s among the hottest of all firewood species.
–Rosemary
Mosquitoes don’t like rosemary one bit. We recommend picking up a couple of bunches of rosemary from the grocery to make this the most effective mosquito repellent around your propane fire pit.
On your lighted fire pit, use them one at a time as needed. It’s unlikely that the dried version of either herb in your pantry will suffice.
What do you do?
Place some rosemary leaves on a candle to intensify the fragrance, it is an effortless way to make a natural repellant. The good news is rosemary does not require much maintenance, so even if you are not an expert, you will have no trouble caring for this essential plant and eventually using it.
–Lemon balm
This mosquito plant has velvety-textured bright green leaves and pink or white blooms that bloom late winter and early summer. It’s an effective mosquito repellent because mosquitos can’t handle a strong lemon scent. Its essential oil can be used on the skin, combined with almond oil, to relieve itching.
Are you thinking of growing it? Lemon geranium is an excellent plant for growing outside in full sun since it can withstand high temperatures and requires little water.
–Citronella
Citronella oil repels mosquitoes when you burn some quantity in candles. The reason is that it has compounds that naturally repel the mosquito, which spreads the dengue disease.
Citronella generates a sweet-smelling perfume that mosquitoes dislike. Being the most widely used, you’ll find it commonly in candles, but it may also be utilized in wristbands.
Can Mint in the Fire Pit Help Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Yes, 100%!
Members of the mint family, such as peppermint, are well known. They have a robust, refreshing fragrance that mosquitoes dislike, keeping them away. While it helps you combat your mosquito problem, the strong scent emitted when burning will relax you.
This plant also has another purpose: it efficiently repels insects while also providing relief from the agony produced by bites, this may be accomplished by using peppermint oil.
Can Sage Keep Mosquitoes at Bay?
Yes, and we totally recommend it to keep mosquitoes away.
Sage is a fantastic choice for your nighttime outdoor experience because of its smoke, which is widely utilized for aromatherapy. It effectively repels mosquitoes, allowing you to not only rest your mind but also be free of these irritating creatures.
Sage is grown naturally, so to use it, here’s the step to take:
– Burn a little quantity of dried sage outside. Add it to the coals to keep mosquitoes away when you start grilling. Start with a modest quantity of burned sage because it has the greatest odor.
Fun fact: It is a powerful ritual plant to cleanse negativity from spaces, apart from being an excellent insecticide. You just have to burn its leaves to keep insects away and your house clean, energetically speaking.
Are Propane Pits Worth it?
Compared to other wood-burning models, propane fire pits need a great deal of effort and upkeep to continue enjoying a crackling fire for a long.
The fire pits are fantastic.
There’s a but, if it’s too hot outside, you might not want to light one. Here are some reasons you might want to consider investing in a propane fire pit:
–It’s eco-friendly
–It’s risk-free: burns quietly and without embers, reducing the likelihood of a fire hazard.
–It’s simple to operate: Trust us, lighting a gas fire pit is much easier than lighting a wood fire pit.
–It’s simple to keep clean: Propane burns entirely, leaving no ashes behind, allowing for fast maintenance and cleaning.
–It has a good heat production compared to other burning models.
Conclusion
We’re here, assured that you now know the answer to the question of whether propane fire pits attract or repel mosquitoes.
Yes, it attracts them, but the tables can turn around with the right ingredients. All along, propane proves useful after all. We believe with all the herbs and elements you have discovered in this article, mosquitoes and bugs are no match for you.
Which of the methods are you excited to use?
Feel free to share your thoughts.