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5 Plants That Repel Mosquitos

4/11/2017

Keep Your Patio Comfortable With Mosquito Repelling Plants

The quickest way to ruin a relaxing day on the patio is to have mosquitos attacking you from every direction. When these pests are on a feeding frenzy, they take no prisoners. If you're outside, you are fair game. Putting certain types of plants around your patio will deter mosquitos so you can actually enjoy your time outdoors.

Citronella Grass

When you read the back of the ingredient list on insect repellents, you’ll notice most of them contain citronella. This is because mosquitos can’t stand the smell of the oil in this plant. Citronella grass will thrive if you water it regularly and plant it in an area where there is plenty of sunlight. In ideal conditions, citronella can grow 5 to 6 feet tall.

Lemon Balm

When you surround your patio with lemon balm, you can easily send mosquitos flying the other way. Like citronella grass, lemon balm emits a strong odor that mosquitos dislike. When the scent of this plant is in the air, mosquitos won't come anywhere near you.

Vanilla Leaf

If you’re looking for a mosquito repelling plant that can grow hale and hearty in shaded areas, vanilla leaf has got you covered. This perennial herb needs rich soil to thrive. To boost its repelling power, crush the leaves to release the oil and then rub it on your skin.

Basil Leaf

Basil is not only good for whipping up delicious pesto, this herb can help keep mosquitos off your patio. As long as the soil is rich and it gets full sunlight, basil will flourish. You can also crush the leaves and rub them on your skin to deter insects. There are many varieties of this herb, but cinnamon and lemon basil work best.

Lavender

This deep purple perennial is revered for its homeopathic properties. But did you know it can also repel mosquitos? Simply plant this herb in a pot and place it on your patio. In addition to sending mosquitos scattering, lavender can be used as an herbal remedy to relieve itching from insect bites.

When you use a combination of basil, citronella, vanilla leaf, lemon balm and lavender, you can lounge on your patio without worrying about being chased in the house by a swarm of mosquitos.

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Tips to Use Your Charcoal Grill Safely

4/9/2017

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Keep your patio grilling experience safe.

When the warm weather hits, the first thing you want to do is gather your friends and family, and break out the charcoal barbeque grill. If you’re not careful, a charcoal grill can cause serious burns to everyone. The flames can also leave the containment of the grill and set your yard and house on fire. Whether this is your first time using a charcoal grill or you’re a self-proclaimed master, certain safety precautions can help make your patio cookout experience a safe one.

Don’t use gasoline to start a charcoal fire. Lighter fluid is the fire-starter of choice for a charcoal, not gasoline. Gasoline is explosive. If you use it to start a charcoal fire, it might result in a giant fireball that could burn off more than your eyebrows.

Keep the grill out of the flow of traffic. Put your charcoal grill in an area where there is low traffic flow. This can help keep friends, family and pets from accidentally bumping into the grill or tipping it over and causing a fire.

Put water on the coals when you’re done. Pouring water on the charcoal can cool the fire and keep it from reigniting. When you pour on the water, watch out for the steam. It can sometimes be hot enough to cause serious burns to the skin.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy. If your grill fire ever gets out of hand, you can reach for the nearby extinguisher and douse the flames before they spread.

Additional Tips on Charcoal Grill Safety

- keep children away from the grill
- do not use the grill on a wooden base
- never leave the grill unattended
- do not wear loose fitting clothes while grilling

If you live in Huntsville, AL or surrounding areas and want to add a patio to your backyard, contact B.J. Stewart Concrete today!

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