Keep bugs away from your outdoor cooking area through a variety of repellent options.
Cooking outside on a grill is a delight. Enjoying the fresh air while preparing the foods you and your family enjoy is one of life's little pleasures. One factor that can ruin such a pleasure is bugs. Mosquitoes and black flies are annoyances as well as health concerns. There are some options you can take to keep bugs away from your cooking area, so you and your family can enjoy dining outside. Unfortunately, there aren't any repellents for bad weather! Does this Spark an idea?
Citronella
It's one of the oldest tricks in the book--if a tried-and-true one--that works season after season. Citronella is a citrus-based derivative that keeps some insects away. Mosquitoes are often repelled by the scent, so stock up on citronella in its various forms.
Citronella candles are among the more popular citronella options. Simply light a few candles and between the scent and the flame, most bugs will stay away. Available in a variety of attractive candle options, these accessories can also enhance the appearance of your patio area while doing their job.
Citronella is available in oil form for pouring into tiki torches or lanterns and lighting. The scent isn't offensive to most people, but it certainly seems offensive to most bugs.
Propane
Some outdoor enthusiasts swear by bug repellents that attract bugs into a trap with the use of propane. These units are set up away from the cooking and eating area and emit a sweet scent that is very appealing to bugs--most especially mosquitoes. Rather than bombarding the cooking area and your food, bugs are lured instead toward the propane-induced scent and trapped in a pocket where they die.
While these units tend to work fairly well, they are expensive. They usually cost a few hundred dollars for the initial unit and set-up process. After that, the propane tank requires periodic refilling.
DEET & More
DEET is an approved ingredient in many insect repellents that is effective at keeping them at bay. Products containing 20 percent DEET should keep bugs away from your cooking area for about five hours. You must wear DEET; spraying or rubbing it on your skin, as well as on your clothing and in your hair, is essential.
A product called Ultrathon contains about 33 percent DEET and is water-resistant, making it even better for outdoor cooking since cooks tend to wash their hands frequently. In addition, this product has proven effective for repelling bugs for up to 12 hours after just one application.
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