BUG OFF Kit yourself out for insect-free summer fun

from Bunnings Magazine December 2021

HOME AND AWAY Sparkling festive decor, wherever you are

styling Tara Davy. Some photographs Deanna Gerlach,

Photography

feature products from suppliers other than Bunnings. Bug off MOUNT YOUR BEST DEFENCE AGAINST TROUBLESOME INSECTS THIS SUMMER

Flyscreens let in breezes but not flying insects, whether you’re at home or on the road

Sunny days and warm evenings mean it’s time to head into the great outdoors for alfresco dining, picnics and camping. But rising temperatures also lead to the inevitable increase in bugs! To avoid unwanted guests crashing your summer fun, it’s important to be prepared.

Waxworks citronella coil incense diffuser, $12.98, I/N: 3340508, and wind resistant coconut scented citronella candle, $12, I/N: 0289381

RIGHT Brilliant ‘Clover’ 142cm large indoor outdoor ABS DC ceiling fan with LED light and remote in Matt White, $379, I/N: 0216740. Hardwired fans must be installed by a licensed electrician

Thermacell ‘Rugged’ repeller with refill, $58, I/N: 3340516

Outdoor fan

Who’s not welcome?

Mosquitoes are guaranteed party poopers at any outdoor event. Certain smells, body heat, sweat, carbon dioxide and possibly dark clothing can make you a tasty mozzie morsel. Wasps reach their peak in summer. As they’re attracted to protein and sugar, an outdoor meal is a drawcard. Flies With an estimated 30,000 species of flies in Australia*, an influx of these insects is almost guaranteed at your next outdoor do. Flies spread all sorts of bacteria and pathogens – just think about the disgusting places they hang out!

Repel the pests

Rubbed, wiped, rolled or sprayed onto the skin, personal insect repellents drive away insects by using a blocker or an odour. “Repellents provide an invisible chemical barrier around the areas on the body where it is applied, repelling incoming insects,” says Kate Griffin of Rid Australia.

If you don’t fancy rubbing something onto your skin, plug-in, butane gas and battery-operated portable lanterns are a good option, says Mitch Connon of Gecko and Thermacell. “Thermacell repellers create a perimeter of protection around you – up to 21sqm,” explains Mitch. “These are great for backyard entertainment areas, including patios, balconies and decks, or if you’re heading away camping.”

Popular attraction

From liquid baits to zapper lights, there’s a wide range of traps and lures on offer to deal with bugs. Some electric models attract using a specially designed ultraviolet light. Once bugs are drawn in, a highvoltage grid zaps them. “For the best results, it is ideal to have your mosquito repeller or killer set up and working prior to dusk, to reduce the risk of mosquitoes gathering in your activity zone,” suggests Mitch.

Environmentally friendly and effective, fly and wasp traps help to keep these insect populations down. “Start trapping as soon as ambient daily temperatures reach about 20°C. This is when flies generally become active and can begin reproducing,” says EnviroSafe biologist Dr Cathy Smallridge, who advises placing traps outside, away from the entertaining area and house entry points.

Ambient additions

As the sun goes down, nothing says summer like the scent of citronella. Available in slow-smouldering coils, candles and resort-style torches, the citrusy fragrance repels insects while candles or torches add style and atmosphere. However, while these options score points for ambience, any product with an open flame must never be left unattended.

Blow them away

Installing an overhead outdoor fan may deter winged pests. It will also help disperse carbon dioxide, food smells and the like, which may have lured them to you in the first place. However, a fan often can’t do the job alone, so combine it with other methods of bug beaters.

Plant pals

Although not the most effective method, certain plants are said to give off fragrances that bugs can’t abide. Pennyroyal’s strong mint smell reputedly repels mozzies, while rosemary and basil are also valued for their insect-repelling properties – plus you can throw a few sprigs of rosemary and basil on the barbie along with your favourite eats! Lavender, geraniums and marigolds not only look lovely, but their strong scents are believed to help repel a range of insects. Help create a natural line of defence by planting them near your outdoor dining area.

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Northcote Pottery ‘Villa’ 400mm plastic window box planter in Graphite, $14.95, I/N: 2910219 (plants not included)

Fragrant herbs

QUICK TIPS TO KEEP BUGS AT BAY

n Reduce the presence of flies by making sure rubbish bins and compost heaps are well away from entertaining areas. n Drain nearby stagnant water – it’s a breeding ground for mosquitoes. n Destroy wasp and hornet nests as soon as you see them. But don’t kill bees – they play an important role in plant pollination. n To avoid bites, wear light- coloured, cover-up clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and ankle-length trousers.

SHOP

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EnviroSafe fly trap, $9.99, I/N: 4475914

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1 Thermacell ‘Bristol’ repeller lantern, $48, I/N: 0077026. 2 Rid insect repellent outdoor mosquito coils with stand, $3.30/pack of 10, I/N: 3340469. � Rid ‘Tropical Strength’ insect repellent aerosol, $8.90/300ml, I/N: 0204137. 4 Waxworks ‘Island Weave’ 1.8m bamboo torch, $7.95, I/N: 3340436. 5 Gecko 50W electronic insect zapper lantern, $149, I/N: 3340294. 6 Brilliant ‘Panama’ 142cm large indoor outdoor ABS ceiling fan with remote in Matt Black, $259, I/N: 0216737. 7 Waxworks ‘Art Deco’ citronella tealight holders with three tealights, $9.90/pack of 3, I/N: 0289392. 8 Thermacell insect repeller perimeter system, $79/pack of 2, I/N: 0292184. 9 The Buzz ‘Wasp Max’ honeypot wasp trap with bait, $16, I/N: 3010326. 10 Green Diamond wasp nest killer insecticide, $13.99/350g, I/N: 0282944. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Maintain a healthy lawn that stands up to the rigours of backyard games with Nylex watering products

Summer ready

Enjoy fun in the sun, knowing all the practicalities are ticked off your list, with help from Hills and Nylex

The evenings are long, the sun is shining and all we want to do is hang outside with friends and family. But perfect entertaining spaces don’t make themselves, and as well as hosting barbecues, backyards are also the site of less glamorous activities, like laundry and gardening. Hills and Nylex products help you balance summer fun with practical necessities, for a space that’s always primed for entertaining.

LAUNDRY DAY

When you’ve got a busy family, every day is laundry day, but don’t let your chore list hold you back from hosting! While retractable clotheslines can be rolled away when not in use, what do you do when you’ve got a load of wet washing and guests on the doorstep? The solution is the Hills Portable Clothesline. This is no ordinary fold-up airer; the Hills Portable Clothesline offers a huge 21m of drying space, with enough width for a single sheet and adjustable height levels to allow for longer items. Built from the same weatherproof materials as a regular outdoor version, this ingenious tool is designed to be used inside and out. What’s more, with its nifty wheels, you can easily position it in the sun for speedy drying, then move it out of sight before company calls.

CHORE LEAVE

If you need to press pause on your summer fun to launder clothes, at least you can do it in style. Hills are the masters of marrying form and function.

The Hills Foldable Laundry Basket features a strong, lightweight bamboo frame and waterproof fabric, making it equally suitable for lugging wet sheets or serving as stylish storage! The Hills Premium Laundry Trolley is as good as an extra set of hands, making it so much easier to wheel wet washing to the line and giving your back a break from stooping and lifting. Finish the job with Hills’ ergonomic and slick-looking pegs, which are built to last.

BEAT THE HEAT

As much as we want to spend every moment outside, sometimes the heat of high summer is just too much – or is it? With a few minutes of effort, you can hook up your home with a Nylex Misting System. Attach it to a standard hose, use the adjustable Slip-Lok fittings to direct the water where you want it to go, then enjoy the blessedly cool relief. The Nylex Misting System can drop the temperature by up to 10°C, making yours the coolest backyard in the street.

1 Hills premium laundry trolley, $59, I/N: 0281484. 2 Hills premium pegs, $21.95/pack of 50, I/N: 0194507. 3 Hills foldable bamboo laundry basket in Black, $31.95, I/N: 0013626. 4 Hills foldable bamboo laundry basket in Smoke, $31.95, I/N: 0013628. 5 Hills foldable bamboo laundry basket in Striped, $31.95, I/N: 0217254. 6 Hills 21m portable clothesline in Woodland Grey, $225, I/N: 0194512.

WELL WATERED

For healthy gardens and a lush, green lawn, you need good watering tools. Nothing slows down watering like a hose that stubbornly curls, so the first thing on your summer prep shopping list should be a kink-resistant hose like the Nylex Flextreme. Another way to avoid kinks – while looking good, too! – is with the Nylex Auto-retractable Hose Reel, which smoothly winds the hose back into the sleek housing.

Hook either of these hoses up to the Nylex Oscillating Sprinkler Plus, which delivers even water distribution to an area of up to 170sqm, so you’ll have the lawn watered and be back to lounging in a shady spot in no time.

1 Nylex 30m x 12mm auto retractable hose reel, $210, I/N: 0190507. 2 Nylex ‘Plus’ oscillating sprinkler, $35.98, I/N: 0087571. 3 Nylex 12m premium misting system, $60, I/N: 0088704. 4 Nylex ‘Flextreme’ 20m x 12mm garden hose, $50, I/N: 0077861.