We all know what it's like to look forward to a big outdoor party, only to have it spoiled by tons of insects joining us at the
picnic table. The funny thing is that, even though it happens quite often, we rarely take steps to prevent it. Although fighting to get rid of insects outdoors may seem like a losing battle, there are things that you can do to decrease their populations. These are good measures to take anyway, because, beyond the occasional annoyance, insects can ruin your enjoyment of your backyard any day; and they can be much more than simply irritating.Mosquitoes, for example, have always been hated; but, now that they carry the West Nile virus, they can be downright deadly. It's more important than ever to control them, by getting rid of anything in your yard that can hold stagnant water, such as empty flowerpots or planters, wheelbarrows, empty sandboxes and sandbox covers, wading pools, and old tires.If your yard has low spots that hold puddles for days after a heavy rain, building them up with topsoil and seed will eliminate more mosquito breeding grounds. You can also use dish detergent as a deterrent, by putting a few drops of it into the puddles to make them uninhabitable by mosquitoes, and kill any eggs that are laid in them.Wasps, among the most dreaded insects, won't show up at your cookouts if you do away with their nests. Look for them during the day, under the eaves of your roof and in the garage. Then, wait until dusk, when they're all in the nest, and squirt them with wasp and hornet spray, which shoots a steady, forceful stream 20 to 30 feet, and kills on contact. To get rid of freelance wasps, fill a margarine container halfway with sugar water, cut a tiny hole in the lid, and set it away from the action. They'll go into the hole, and get stuck inside the container. Ha-ha on them!Yellow jackets pose the same threat, and inspire the same fear, as wasps do. Since many of them nest in the ground, all you have to do is to wait until after dark, when they're all at home, and pour boiling water down the hole, to wipe out the entire colony.Flies, the most insidious pests of them all, can be trapped on fly strips, but are really tough to control. If you're trying to swat them, remember that they go backward slightly upon takeoff. So, aim just a bit behind them, and they'll probably run right into the swatter.Following these tips can help to keep some uninvited pests away from your next outdoor celebration. When it comes to your honored guests, however, you can welcome them in style, with a picnic table from AllPicnicTables.com.With one of the largest selections of picnic tables available, AllPicnicTables.com has wood, metal, and synthetic tables, in every size, shape, and color imaginable.Visit
AllPicnicTables.com, to see their complete collection of picnic tables and outdoor furniture. To contact a design consultant or customer service professional, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail
contact@allpicnictables.com.
