Article Highlights
Perth summers bring long evenings perfect for outdoor entertaining, but they also bring unwanted guests. Mosquitoes and biting insects can turn a relaxing night on your patio into an itchy ordeal. The good news? You don't need to retreat indoors or douse yourself in chemicals to enjoy your backyard. With a few practical strategies, you can keep mosquitoes away and reclaim your outdoor living space.
Why Mosquitoes Love Perth Backyards
Mosquitoes thrive in Western Australia's warm climate. Our summer months provide ideal breeding conditions, and even a small amount of stagnant water can become a nursery for hundreds of mosquito larvae. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in anything that holds water, from birdbaths to blocked gutters.
Perth's common mosquito species, including saltmarsh and freshwater varieties, are particularly active at dusk and dawn. They're attracted to carbon dioxide from our breath, body heat and certain scents. When you're relaxing on your patio after a hot day, you're essentially sending out an invitation.
The sporadic summer storms we experience in WA create another challenge. Water pools in unexpected places, gutters overflow and containers fill up, creating perfect breeding spots right near your entertaining area.
Clean Up: Stop Mozzies Before They Start
The most effective way to keep mosquitoes away naturally starts with prevention. If mosquitoes can't breed near your home, you'll see far fewer of them buzzing around your patio.
Walk around your property and look for anything that can hold water. Empty or cover buckets, children's toys, plant saucers and pet bowls every few days. Even a bottle cap can hold enough water for mosquitoes to breed.
Check your rainwater tanks. Make sure they're properly sealed with fine mesh screens over the inlet and overflow pipes. This simple step prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs while still allowing your tank to collect water. If you're planning a new patio or gutter system, consider adding first-flush diverters to keep debris and mosquito breeding opportunities to a minimum.
Common Backyard Breeding Hot-Spots
Your roof gutters deserve special attention. Leaves and debris create dams that hold water long after rain stops. Book a pre-summer clean to ensure water flows freely through your downpipes. If you notice pooling water under downpipes, consider installing splash guards or repositioning the outlet.
Water features like ponds and fountains can attract mosquitoes if the water sits still. Keep pumps running to maintain movement, or stock your pond with fish that eat mosquito larvae. Goldfish and native species both do an excellent job of natural mosquito control.
Don't forget about boats, tarps and disused tyres. These items collect water and provide sheltered breeding sites. Store them under cover or drill drainage holes to prevent water pooling.
Cover Up Your Patio Area
Physical barriers offer reliable protection without chemicals. When you cover up your patio properly, you create a protected area where you can relax without constant swatting.
Retractable flyscreens work well for patios you want to enclose only at certain times. You get the benefit of airflow during the day and protection when mosquitoes are most active. These screens can be pulled across openings as the sun goes down, creating a barrier that keeps biting insects out while you're entertaining.
Screens, Blinds & Netting Solutions
Café blinds provide another option for patio coverage. These clear or tinted panels can be fitted with fine mesh inserts that block mosquitoes while maintaining your view. They're particularly useful on Perth's breezy evenings when you want protection from both insects and wind.
If you're planning to make your backyard more functional this summer, consider how your patio design can incorporate these protective elements from the start. A well-designed patio with built-in screening options gives you flexibility throughout the seasons.
Inside your home, repair any damaged flyscreens on windows and doors that open onto your patio. Fit door sweeps to eliminate gaps where mosquitoes can slip through. These small fixes make a big difference when you're trying to keep your indoor spaces bite-free.
Repel: Natural & Low-Chemical Options
Once you've eliminated breeding sites and added physical barriers, repellents provide an extra layer of defence. You have plenty of options that don't rely on harsh chemicals.
Personal insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus works well for exposed skin. Apply it to arms, legs and other areas before heading outside. These products are particularly important if you're spending time outdoors during peak mosquito hours.
Citronella candles and coils can help when placed upwind of your sitting area. They won't create a complete barrier, but they add another deterrent layer. Position them around the perimeter of your patio rather than right next to where you're sitting.
Perth-Ready Repellent Plants
Growing mosquito-repelling plants around your patio serves double duty. You get natural protection plus fresh herbs for cooking. Lemongrass, basil and rosemary all thrive in Perth's sandy soil and full sun. Position pots or garden beds along your patio edge where you'll brush past them, releasing their aromatic oils.
Citronella geraniums produce the same compounds found in citronella candles. They're hardy in WA conditions and add colour to your outdoor space. Lavender is another Perth-friendly option that deters mosquitoes while attracting beneficial bees during the day.
These plants won't create an impenetrable force field, but they contribute to an overall strategy that makes your patio less appealing to biting insects. The more layers of defence you stack up, the better your results.
Essential Oils & Candles That Work
Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and lavender oil can be diluted and applied to skin or added to diffusers around your patio. Some people find these natural options work well, particularly when combined with other deterrent methods.
If you're conserving water outdoors, your repellent plants can be part of a water-wise garden design. Many mosquito-repelling herbs are drought-tolerant once established, making them ideal for Perth conditions.