It’s a common belief that mosquitoes are attracted to light. That’s why many mosquito-repellent products like outdoor bug zappers use special light bulbs marketed as deterrents. It’s also why many people will turn the lights off outdoors to avoid mosquito bites. But are mosquitoes really attracted to light? If not, what are mosquitoes attracted to? Learn more about mosquito behavior to help keep them away from your living space.
Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Light?
No, mosquitoes are not attracted to the light like other types of bugs. Mosquitoes usually demonstrate negative phototaxis, which means they tend to avoid light. They may use light to navigate their surroundings, but mosquitoes are attracted to other elements. In fact, mosquitoes are often more active from dusk to dawn and when the air is calm.
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are mainly attracted to elements that signal food. Since blood is their primary food source and way of living, they will look for signs that people or animals are close. Mosquitoes will utilize a variety of receptors, including carbon dioxide, odorant, ionotropic, and gustatory receptors, to detect carbon dioxide and certain smells. Mosquitoes’ reliance on chemical and thermal cues to find humans and animals explains why light is not a significant attractant, setting them apart from light-oriented bugs like moths and beetles.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
The carbon dioxide we exhale is one of the main things that attracts mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are extremely sensitive and attracted to carbon dioxide naturally released by humans and animals when we breathe. They can find possible hosts by using their ability to sense carbon dioxide up to 50 yards away. It’s even more appealing when CO2 levels are higher, such as during physical activity or in a crowd.
Scent and Body Odors
Mosquitoes are drawn to certain body scents that indicate blood is near, including the substances in perspiration, skin germs, and natural oils. Certain people may be more appealing to mosquitoes than others due to the lactic acid, ammonia, and other substances that the skin produces. This can also happen for those who eat bananas, avocados, and other potassium-rich foods that promote lactic acid production.
Body Heat
Additionally, the heat from our bodies attracts mosquitoes. Body heat helps them focus on carbon dioxide after they’ve located it. That’s why people who just worked out or who are on the warmer side tend to draw more mosquitoes. Mosquitoes have cooling and heating cells that allow them to identify these temperature differences.
Are Mosquito Lights Effective?
While mosquito lights and bug zappers may kill some mosquitoes, they are not an effective solution for fully controlling mosquito populations. These devices tend to draw in other potentially beneficial insects and leave mosquitoes buzzing around your home. To truly get rid of them, it’s essential to focus on prevention strategies like eliminating breeding sites and using targeted methods like professional mosquito spraying.
How to Reduce Mosquito Attraction
To reduce mosquito attraction around your home, eliminate standing water, which is where they thrive. This can include draining flower pots, changing bird baths, addressing clogged gutters, and refreshing your pet’s water. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing during peak hours at dawn and dusk, and apply repellents when spending time outdoors. Plant marigolds, citronella, and lavender, and keep your yard tidy by removing debris and mowing the grass regularly. To help keep mosquitoes out of your home, install tight-fitting screens on windows and doors.
Get Rid of Pesky Mosquitos with Maintenance and Effective Pest Control
In addition to basic ways of deterring mosquitoes, many homeowners benefit from seeking professional mosquito control services. Our Mosquito Joe® pest control services will effectively identify and target these pests so you can enjoy the outdoors again. We offer traditional mosquito barrier sprays that will address hot spots in your yard and prevent those biters from coming back. We also have eco-friendly options that utilize essential oils for effective prevention. You can also consider our mosquito traps and automated misting systems.
We offer free inspections and free estimates to help you understand potential mosquito control solutions. Our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and our own guarantee to ensure you’re happy.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
Join us in celebrating National Honey Bee Day on the third Saturday in August! Like World Honey Bee Day, every May 20th, it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the vital work done by honey bees and beekeepers. The debt we owe to the fuzzy little buzzers is about far more than the honey they make. According to the USDA, honey bees pollinate $15 billion (with a bee!) worth of crops every year. This includes over 130 types of fruits, veggies, and nuts. Without the honey bees, many of these crops would completely fail, while others would yield pitifully small harvests.
We rely on the honey bee and other pollinators for one-third of the world’s food supply. Yet pesticides, habitat loss, and invasive species pose deadly threats to all pollinators, specifically bees. These pollinators are so important to us all that Mosquito Joe® is committed to eco-friendly pest control and our Pollinator Protection Management Program.
In celebration of National Honey Bee Day, let’s plan to scatter native wildflower seeds, enjoy some locally sourced honey, share a dinner made from farmer’s market produce, maybe raise a glass of mead, post your praise of honeybees with #NationalHoneyBeeDay, and learn how to help honey bees by growing a pollinator-friendly garden.
Threats to Bee Populations: Why We Need to Save the Bees
Multiple environmental factors threaten honey bee health and their very existence. The indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum insecticides, loss of habitat, limited food sources in quantity and diversity, parasites, and disease burden the busy buzzers to the point of colony collapse. The pressures honey bees, other bees, and pollinators face are severe and growing. That’s why we need to #SaveTheBees.
We can all do our part and opt for ways to help honey bees:
Use natural pesticide treatments from professionals dedicated to eco-friendly pest control
Never spray unwanted honey bees on your property — call your local beekeeper
Support local beekeepers — buy locally sourced honey
Help educate children about honey bees and the importance of pollinators
Donate to save the honey bees programs and organizations
Let’s celebrate National Honey Bee Day by planting a pollinator-friendly garden. Your fruits and veggies will love it!
How to Create a Bee-Friendly Garden: A Haven for Pollinators
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden turns National Honey Bee Day into year-round support that benefits your garden and the bigger ecosystem. Whether planting an acre or a single container on a balcony, your efforts can make a real difference.
Grow a variety of flowering plants that attract bees.
Many flowering plants (though not all) attract honey bees. Plant a diverse selection of native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Select long-blooming varieties and those with staggered bloom times to provide an ongoing source of nutrition bees need.
This table is just a starting place for choosing plants for your pollinator-friendly garden.
Allow your plants to flower.
Instead of cutting down basil, Swiss chard, or kale after harvesting, let them flower to support honey bees and other pollinators. Leave some radishes, lettuce, carrots, and onions on the ground. Their flowers are excellent for bees.
Learn to love the weeds.
Dandelions, clover, milkweed, and goldenrod are bee magnets. Allowing these weeds to flower is the easiest way to make for a more pollinator-friendly garden.
Avoid using pesticides and herbicides.
Spraying poisons all over your yard is a significant threat to all pollinators, including honey bees. Instead, pull weeds by hand and use eco-friendly pest control when possible. When pest problems get out of control, hiring the pros at Mosquito Joe for eco-friendly pest control gets rid of the problem without hurting the bees.
Mosquito Joe’s Eco-Friendly Pest Control: Supporting Pollinators and a Healthy Environment
Most people know about Mosquito Joe’s award-winning and comprehensive pest control services. But you may not know of our commitment to eco-friendly pest control practices. We fully appreciate the critical role pollinators play in every ecosystem in the communities we serve.
As proud members of the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), we provide low-risk outdoor pest control to protect you and your family from nasty biters and away from your property. We aim to empower you to enjoy your outdoor spaces free from biting and stinging pests while preserving local pollinators.
Bee the Change: Take Action to Protect Our Pollinators
How will you celebrate National Honey Bee Day? Will you share the buzz on social media for the day? Every bit helps! Did you know that the average honey bee produces just 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its entire life? That’s just 0.8 grams. Yet bee hives in the U.S. typically produce from 10 to 200 pounds of honey every year!
Like the honey bees, when we each do something small, our combined efforts make a significant difference. If you’ve never tasted locally sourced honey, try it for the occasion. If you already know how great it is, commit to only buying local honey moving forward, supporting local beekeepers and their hives. If you have a yard or balcony, plant a pollinator garden.
Every one of us can make a difference. Maybe you’ll even choose to become a beekeeper. What a bee-youtiful way to celebrate National Honey Bee Day.
The best part of indulging in BBQ lies in that first succulent bite of fall-off-the-bone ribs, leaving you licking your fingers and wearing sauce all over your face. Backyard barbecues are a cherished tradition where good food and good company gather together. From hot dogs and wings to some of the best BBQ side dishes like pasta salad and collard greens, BBQ gatherings are a feast for the senses.
As grills sizzle this summer, we wanted to discover the most iconic BBQ dishes in every U.S. state. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds as we unveil the culinary delights that define BBQ culture across the nation.
The Most Popular BBQ Dishes in Every U.S. State
As spring rolls into summer, BBQ enthusiasts across the United States are firing up their smokers and getting ready for unforgettable BBQ cookouts. In six states, including Hawaii, New Jersey, Maryland, and Rhode Island, BBQ chicken has claimed the spotlight and captured the taste buds of many.
Meanwhile, Idaho and New Hampshire have developed a deep affection for pulled pork as their ultimate BBQ delight, while wings have soared to prominence in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Brisket has become a beloved favorite among residents of Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, while West Virginia has maintained a long-standing devotion to the classic hot dog.
In a predictable turn of events, collard greens have asserted their dominance in southern states such as Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, while the timeless baked potato has garnered significant adoration in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
The best BBQ side dishes according to other states included coleslaw, which won out in Maine, and biscuits which dominated in Kentucky.
When it comes to BBQ sauces, a sweet and tangy concoction like honey BBQ has triumphed in six states, including Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Turning our attention to dessert, banana pudding has captured the hearts and palates of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, while both D.C. and Florida have gravitated toward key lime pie.
America’s Backyard BBQ Plate
As you prepare to host a memorable gathering, impress your guests with the best BBQ essentials that have conquered the hearts and taste buds across the map. Get ready to elevate your backyard BBQ game and leave your guests craving for more.
Burgers were a clear crowd favorite and most beloved in 17 states, including Washington, New Mexico, Tennessee, and North Carolina, just to name a few. Coming in a close second is sausage, which delighted the taste buds of ten states, including Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Indiana.
Let’s talk about the sauce — because no one likes dry brisket. We examined different types of BBQ sauces to see which one was a fan favorite. Our findings reveal that buffalo sauce, featuring a tantalizing blend of cayenne pepper for a touch of tangy heat, emerged as the top choice in 16 states. From Alaska and Florida to New Jersey and North Dakota, the craving for this zesty sauce knows no bounds.
Surprisingly, in the second spot, we have St. Louis-style BBQ sauce, which failed to win over its home state of Missouri. Instead, it conquered in ten states, including Arkansas, Iowa, and Maine.
No picnic is complete without side dishes for your guests to gobble up — and we’re not talking about mojitos (okay, maybe we are)! Both french fries and watermelon were crowd favorites, dominating 19 and seven states, respectively. French fries captured the west coast in places like California, Arizona, and Nevada.
While you may be tempted to grab store-bought cookies and call it a day, there’s no better way to end a picnic than with fresh-out-of-the-oven brownies. Brownies are the best dessert according to 19 states and a classic, sweet treat everyone can agree on!
BBQ Essentials According to Every U.S. State
Curious if your taste buds align with your state? Review our map to see how your state builds the perfect backyard spread.
Closing Thoughts
There you have it — the best BBQ in every U.S. state! From cheesecake to grilled lobster and baked mac n’ cheese, it’s clear that no matter where you live, BBQ food has a way of bringing people together.
Now picture this: the smell of burgers wafts through the air, bowls of chips are laid out, lemonade is being poured, and your guests are arriving, there’s just one tiny problem — your backyard is inhabited by mosquitoes. Don’t fret! To prevent this potential disaster from occurring, make sure you schedule Mosquito Joe event services so you can get back to enjoying good food and even better company.
Methodology
To find out which BBQ dish was the most “essential” in each state, we compiled a list of typical BBQ meats, side dishes, desserts, and BBQ sauces that one would typically devour at a summertime backyard BBQ. We looked at a total of 53 keywords across the four categories on Google Trends for the summer of 2022 (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend).
Creating a pollinator garden is an excellent way to support biodiversity and contribute to the health of the environment. Pollinators are an imperative part of the ecosystem. Not only do these gardens provide habitats for pollinators, but they also enhance the beauty of your home.
In this guide to planting a pollinator garden, we will cover what pollinators are and how they benefit the environment, the best pollinator plants for your garden, landscaping maintenance tips, and additional resources to gather more information that will explain the important role pollinators play in our environment.
What Is a Pollinator?
A pollinator is any animal or insect that carries pollen from the male part of one plant to the female part of another. Some of the most popular examples of pollinators include bumblebees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. Each species plays an important role in the pollination process, though bees tend to be the most relied upon. This is why many people choose a bee garden when deciding to plant a pollinator garden.
Why Are Pollinators Important?
According to an article published in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, “pollinators and pollination are crucial in the functioning of almost all terrestrial ecosystems including those dominated by agriculture because they are in the front line of sustainable productivity through plant reproduction.” These tiny creatures make such a large impact that, without them, our world as we know it would not exist.
Pollinators are so important that some companies — even those who specialize in insect extermination — have protection management programs in place to help safeguard the environment for pollinators and actively work to protect them. You can do your part with pollinator plants.k
The Relationship Between Pollinators and the Environment
Don’t be fooled by their name. Pollinators do more than transfer pollen from flower to flower. The same article published on ScienceDirect explains that another role of pollinators is to “monitor environmental stress brought about by introduced competitors, diseases, parasites, predators, as well as by chemical and physical factors, particularly pesticides and habitat modification.”
Scientists can analyze these species to better understand the condition of the various crops vital to our food system. When they see signs of a decreasing population, it could be an indication of an increase in pesticides being used for crops. However, in more recent studies, parasites, disease, and habitat modification have proven to have a larger impact than pesticides as more land is cleared for additional crops.
The decline in the bee population is so severe that various activists, scientists, organizations, and others have made it their mission to spread awareness about the importance of this species. This has led to an increase in the number of bee conservation programs and activities that individuals can take part in to help prevent this vital species from going extinct. A bee garden is a great way to contribute to saving the bee species.
Pollinator Conservation
Coming together both at home and within your community can help spread awareness about the importance of conservation. Protecting these animals and insects is vital to their existence and will benefit our ecosystem as well.
Finding ways to educate others on the benefits of conservation can help spread awareness and understanding about the importance of these species. If you have children, try to engage in more backyard activities, like building a backyard habitat, to capture their attention, get them involved, and teach them about the importance of pollinators. Involve them in the planting and maintenance of your family’s garden. Even suggesting the idea of starting a community garden can be beneficial.
One of the many benefits of educating your children on conservation is that it will teach them habits that will help them make eco-friendly choices as an adult. They can take what they learned as a child and apply it to their future — educating others along the way. Aside from personal development, planting a pollinator garden has numerous benefits. For example, attracting bees and butterflies to your garden and community can:
Help signal when something is awry in the ecosystem
Reduce the number of pesticides that are being used
Provide educational opportunities
Help foods and flowers thrive
Contribute to the life cycle of flowers and other plants
Best Pollinator Plants for Garden and Yard
Not all plants attract pollinators. Some may even do the opposite. This is why it is important to know which plants to choose for conservation landscaping and a pollinator garden. You will want to find plants that are in season and are compatible with your area. Let’s take a look at which types of plants are most attractive to the various pollinating species.
Bees:
Alyssum
Anise hyssop
Aster
Bee balm
Black-eyed Susan
Butterfly weed
Clover
Coneflower
Cranesbill
Poppies
Butterflies:
Black-eyed Susan
Bottlebrush
Butterfly bush
Coral bean
Coral honeysuckle
Dill
Fennel
Firebush
Firecracker plant
Firespike
Gumbo-limbo tree
Horsemint
Jatropha
Lantana
Lion’s ear
Milkweed
Parsley
Passionflower
Pawpaw
Providing water to wildlife
Purple coneflower
Saltbush
Hummingbirds:
Beardtongue
Bee balm
Butterfly bush
Catmint
Clove pink
Columbine
Coral bells
Daylily
Larkspur
Desert candle
Iris
Flowering tobacco
Foxglove
Lily
Lupine
Pentas
Petunia
Pincushion flower
Red-hot poker
Scarlet sage
Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle
Soapwort
Summer phlox
Verbena
Weigela
Like the bee balm and sage, some of the plants are also great ways to help combat,ticks and mosquitoes.
How to Plant a Pollinator Garden
Planting a pollinator garden involves a few key steps to ensure success.
Plan and design: Determine the size and shape of your garden, keeping in mind how large the plants you want to include in your pollinator garden will become. Sketch out a design of your backyard pollinator garden, including areas for different types of plants and any additional features you want to include, such as water sources or nesting sites.
Research native plants: Visit your local nursery to determine what plants will grow in your area and when the best time to plant is. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and provide better food sources for native pollinators. Focus your research on the types of pollinators you want to attract. If you want a bee garden, focus on plants that attract bees. Hummingbirds and butterflies will like different types of plants than bees.
Prepare the soil: Ensure your existing soil is free of vegetation, weeds, and grass. Add organic matter such as compost to improve the soil structure, fertility, and water retention.
Planting: Holes for each plant should be large enough to accommodate the root system of the plant. Remove the plants from their containers carefully to not disturb the root system. Gently loosen the soil the plant is in before planting to give the roots room to spread out. Backfill the holes with soil, ensuring that no roots are showing above the soil line.
Mulch: A layer of organic mulch helps plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate the soil temperature.
Water: Water your plants thoroughly right away to help plants establish roots and settle the soil.
All of these steps will set you up for success with your pollinator-friendly yard.
Tips for Landscaping Maintenance
Just as it is important to purchase plants that attract bees and other pollinators, it’s essential to maintain the land around them. Bees and butterflies get their water from puddles and damp soil. If your yard doesn’t allow for that, you may want to consider finding alternative ways to water them.
Installing ponds, fountains, creeks, shallow pans of water, or birdbaths can serve as watering stations for pollinators. However, if you choose one of these options, you must clean them often. Mosquitoes and other pests and bacteria are often attracted to stagnant bodies of water. Cleaning a birdbath with a garden hose and a non-bleach mixture is a great way to ensure the birds and bees are hydrated without attracting mosquitoes.
Other ways to ensure your pollinator garden is well maintained include the following:
Mow often.
Don’t overwater the lawn.
Fertilize your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden.
Inspect your trees and shrubs for broken branches.
Pull weeds often.
Understand what type of soil you have.
Pollinator-friendly gardens and habitats will require standard maintenance such as thinning, fertilizing, amending the soil, removing dead stalks, watering, and removing invasive plant species. When attracting butterflies and bees, you might also attract other insects and pests. You can deter these pests by investing in barrier spray services or an all-natural treatment option for mosquitoes and other pests.
You can always discuss it with a specialist if you are unsure of how to properly maintain your landscaping.
Landscaping Alternatives for Rentals and/or Apartments
Those who live in a rental and/or an apartment may not have as much freedom with landscaping options as those who own their home. But this doesn’t mean that they can’t have any of the flowers and plants listed above to create their own pollinator garden.
Participating in a community garden, making use of planters, and (if able) installing window boxes are excellent alternatives to landscaping while in a rental.
Alternative Ways to Shelter Pollinators
If you have a difficult time maintaining a pollinator garden, don’t worry! There are ways you can house pollinators without having to maintain landscaping. You can still do your part in the conservation process by investing in bee hotels and butterfly houses.
Serious gardeners and pollinator enthusiasts may even consider taking their conservation a step further by becoming their own beekeepers.
Beekeeping 101
Beekeeping is commonly taken on as a career. However, some may choose to pick it up as a hobby. But it isn’t as easy as it may look. Beekeeping takes a lot of time, patience, and dedication.
There are a lot of benefits associated with beekeeping. You can have access to an endless supply of honey, make various products out of beeswax, and help with repopulating the species.
However, along with the pros come the cons. Beekeeping can get expensive. You have to purchase the right clothing, smokers, hive tools, frame grips, and the bees themselves. These expenses can add up.
Beekeeping is a serious commitment. Before deciding what you want to do, you will want to be sure that you can provide the bees with everything they need.
Additional Resources and Further Reading
Here are additional resources to help answer any leftover questions about pollinators, how to attract them to your pollinator garden, and/or the impact they have on the environment.
Creating a pollinator-friendly yard can feel intimidating at first. However, armed with the information above, you can confidently begin your landscaping journey with your pollinating pals firmly in mind. However, when dealing with pests like mosquitoes and ticks, it’s best to call in the pros. Your local Mosquito Joe® has the training and expertise to help keep mosquitoes and ticks at bay for up to 30 days. We offer both traditional and natural mosquito barrier sprays that can help make your outdoor time fun again. To learn more or to get started, call us at 1-855-275-2563 or request a quote online today!
Pollinator FAQs
Are pollinator gardens low maintenance?
Pollinator gardens can be low maintenance, but the level of maintenance required depends upon the size of the garden, the plants in the garden, and local environmental conditions.
Do pollinator gardens need full sun?
Not all pollinator plants require full sun. While many thrive in full sun, some pollinators, such as certain butterflies and bees, can be attracted to gardens with partial shade.
What flowers are not good for pollinators?
While most flowers provide some level of benefit to pollinators, there are certain varieties that may not be attractive or beneficial to pollinators. Here are some examples:
Double-flowered varieties – Double-flowered plants have extra petals and often lack or have reduced reproductive structures such as stamens or nectar-producing glands. While these flowers are appealing to humans, they can provide limited benefits to pollinators.
Hybrid or Cultivated varieties – Some cultivated or hybrid flowers have been bred for certain traits, such as larger blooms or extended flowering periods. However, in the breeding process, some of the natural characteristics that would normally attract pollinators are lost.
Non-native and invasive species – Non-native and invasive species may not have coevolved with local pollinators and may not provide suitable nectar and pollen resources. Invasive species can outcompete native plants and reduce the overall biodiversity and available resources for pollinators.
Remember playing outside for hours on end when you were growing up? Adventure was found in your own backyard under rustling leaves. Today, some kids are missing all that fun. They’ve traded blue skies for blue screens, and they don’t even know they’re getting the raw end of the deal.
Too much screen time—whether on smartphones, game consoles, or computers—is linked to sleep disturbances, obesity, and a host of other issues. And a 2018 study by the National Institutes of Health found that two or more screen-time hours correlated with lower language scores!
Fortunately, coaxing your bleary-eyed child into the great outdoors may not be as hard as you think. Create a backyard nature playground, and watch them head for the back door!
1. Choose a Location
Select a playground location that is both safe and convenient, away from traffic, deep water, and other hazards. If swings will be included, allow plenty of clearance between fences and other obstacles. To make supervision easy, find an area that is clearly visible from a convenient vantage point. Choose a shady spot so that direct sunlight won’t overheat play surfaces, but steer clear of thick weeds and shrubs or heavily wooded areas, where ticks might be lurking.
Look for existing natural features within your yard that appeal to your inner child. Is there a tree with gnarly roots or an old stump to climb and balance on? What about a small hill, a thicket of trees, or large rocks? Grown-up eyes might not see the magic in these objects initially, but kids are innately drawn to simple nature-based settings and materials. Don’t forget to include wide-open space for running, too.
2. Find Intriguing Materials, Starting with These Backyard Playground Ideas
Wondering how to build a natural playground without breaking the bank? Don’t worry—kids’ backyard playgrounds don’t have to cost a fortune. Peruse your storage shed and attic for materials that are languishing. Look for fun items at yard sales and thrift stores. Use your imagination. For example, you can transform old tires into swings or string them together to make a bridge or climbing feature.
Here are more natural playground ideas that are simple and inexpensive:
Repurpose an old canoe, rowboat, or under-the-bed storage box as a sandbox. Add oars, and it’ll double as a play prop.You may also consider raising the container on a stand and adding tools like measuring cups, scoops, sifters, pots and pans, wooden spoons, and a balancing scale to inspire exploration. Bury items like small rocks, fake jewels, coins, or rubber fishing worms, and let the treasure hunt begin.
Line up a few landscape timbers to use as balance beams. Make sure the ground and other surfaces near the beams are soft.
Fill shallow plastic bins with water. These are a favorite, but always supervise young children during water play! Toy boats, turkey basters, sponges, funnels, clean squirt-top containers, and plastic cups for pouring will keep kids busy. Add a splash of dish soap occasionally, and let your kids wash the toys!
Build an obstacle course or a fort with miscellaneous items. You may choose to usebricks, logs, tires, sturdy boards, tarps, and rope. Interesting “sets” like this boost children’s creativity and logical thinking skills.
Hang wind socks, chimes, garden flags, and wind spinners. Easily found at dollar or discount stores, these items create a whimsical atmosphere that inspires imagination. You can also create your own wind spinners using old CDs: glue pairs of disks together with the shiny sides facing outward, and string them together with fishing line or string.
Make a fun “garden” with artificial flowers and plants. Section off a small plot of dirt or a raised garden bed. Let the kids “plant” and rearrange flowers and other items to design their own unique landscapes. Kick up the creativity by adding small garden statues, fairy houses, and plastic toys (dinosaurs, farm animals, action figures, etc.).
Turn a fence or a sheet of plywood into a chalkboard. Use chalkboard paint or any dark-colored outdoor paint to cover a section of wooden fencing or an old sheet of plywood. Provide your budding artists with colorful sidewalk chalk, and they can draw and share messages on the board.
Make a tennis ball maze with plastic gutters and drainpipes. This is like a marble track but bigger! Attach straight pipes and elbow pieces to a wall or other vertical, flat surface, to create a track for a tennis ball to roll down. Arrange gutters and pipes at different angles so your kids can drop balls in from various points. If you have older kids, challenge them to build their own mazes with Velcro®-backed pieces.
3. Design Around the Materials You Found
Once you’ve gathered materials, it’s time to organize and set up. Ask your children for their ideas, and encourage them to help with the design. To accommodate a variety of interests and moods, try creating zones or stations for different types of play—from creative to active to calming.
Consider your children’s ages and abilities, and think about skills you would like them to further develop. Items like climbers, swings, and slides promote balance and gross (large muscle) motor skills. Water tables and sandboxes provide sensory input and help develop fine motor skills. Tunnels, forts, and lookout towers stimulate creative and social play.
4. Make Landing Surfaces Soft
No matter how skilled your aspiring gymnasts are, occasional tumbles are inevitable. Be sure that swings and climbing or balancing items are placed over soft ground surfaces like loose sand, wood or rubber mulch, or other spongy materials. Remove large rocks, sticks, or other hard objects in potential fall zones, and teach children to keep those spaces clear of toys and other items.
5. Establish Rules
Neighborhood kids seem to be blessed with a sixth sense that draws them to anything new and exciting. If you build it … they will come. Set ground rules about always checking in with a household adult before playing in your yard. Always provide age-appropriate supervision.
Engage your children in helping establish safety rules. For example, ask your kids to create colorful posters that highlight expectations. Laminate the posters to protect them from rain, and hang them in easy-to-see places.
6. Make It Safer with DIY Maintenance and Home Services
Regularly inspect the play area, structures, and equipment for damage and hazards. Seal or paint wood surfaces to protect them from weather damage. To reduce the risk of ticks—which can transmit Lyme Disease and other illnesses—keep the grass mowed and move woodpiles away from play spaces. Be sure to drain standing water regularly to reduce the mosquito population.
When it comes to your children—and their friends—fun and safety should go together. Consider scheduling regular tick, flea, and mosquito barrier spray treatments from our Mosquito Joe® experts. We even offer all-natural pest control options. Simply book online or call us at 1-855-275-2563 to get started.
The Benefits of Natural Playgrounds
Natural backyard playgrounds foster creativity, critical thinking skills, and independence—three essential skills for a successful life. According to Stanford Health, kids who play outside often are happier and healthier. Simple activities like digging in the dirt can reduce stress levels and strengthen their immune systems! Building a reliable, intriguing backyard playground that offers ample opportunities for unstructured outdoor play is one of the best gifts you can give your child. Time to grab your kids and get started!
According to an 
Coming together both at home and within your community can help spread awareness about the importance of conservation. Protecting these animals and insects is vital to their existence and will benefit our ecosystem as well.
