Patio heaters attract bugs because they are attracted to the carbon dioxide, warmth, and light emitted by gas patio heaters.
If you’re planning to host a party, an event, or just a casual get-together with friends, having a patio can be a great advantage.
However, one of the biggest issues with patios is that they’re not very practical during colder months.
Having patio heaters can be the solution to keeping your party going regardless of the weather conditions.
You won’t have to worry about the temperature, whether it’s hot or cold if you have patio heaters.
However, you might want to consider whether patio heaters attract bugs and what can be done to prevent it.
When it comes to using patio heaters, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, you need to maintain them properly to ensure they continue working effectively.
Secondly, it’s important to be aware of what the heaters can attract when they’re turned on.
We will delve into why patio heaters attract bugs and provide tips for reducing bugs while using your patio heater.
Related Reading: Get Rid of Those Flies In Your Yard
Table of Contents
Why Patio Heaters Attract Bugs
Insects, particularly mosquitos, are attracted to carbon dioxide.
When you turn on your patio heater, it produces carbon dioxide by combining propane and natural gas.
This makes the heater a bug magnet as it emits both warmth and light that attract insects.
You and everyone else on your patio do not want those insects around when you are eating food and having a good time at your party.
The easiest solution to keep bugs away is to not use the heater, but no one wants to be uncomfortable when hanging out with friends.
It’s important to know why patio heaters attract bugs and how to prevent them from ruining your outdoor gatherings.
Warmth
Insects are cold-blooded creatures that function best in warm environments.
When temperatures drop, most insects slow down and enter a state of hibernation.
Therefore, if a bug senses any heat emanating from a source, it will instinctively move toward it in order to thrive.
It’s not your imagination, there really are fewer bugs in the cold.
They are usually in warm environments. Your patio heater attracting bugs is not surprising because anything with heat will attract insects.
Light
You may not know that insects have positive or negative phototaxis, which refers to how their bodies react to light exposure.
If an insect exhibits positive phototaxis, it is attracted to light, whereas an insect with negative phototaxis moves away from the light source.
Most flying insects exhibit positive phototaxis, which explains why patio heaters attract them, resulting in the need to swat away gnats and mosquitoes.
Luckily, the light from your patio heater will keep away insects as they hate light.
The brighter your patio heater, the more insects it attracts since bugs rely on the moon and starlight to navigate.
When insects encounter bright artificial light, they are often attracted to it, but they can become disoriented by it, and their vision may be temporarily impaired for up to 30 minutes.
This is why insects appear to be confused or dazed when they are exposed to artificial light.
Carbon Dioxide
Insects, particularly mosquitos, are attracted to carbon dioxide.
When you use a patio heater that runs on propane and natural gas, it emits carbon dioxide into the air, making patio heaters attract bugs.
This is the primary attraction for mosquitoes. They sense carbon dioxide and assume the presence of food in the form of humans or animals.
On a chilly summer night, using a patio heater can attract mosquitoes that see you and your friends as their next meal.
Keeping the Bugs Away
After identifying what attracts the bugs, take the necessary steps to prevent them from ruining your gathering.
The last thing you want is for patio heaters to attract bugs and ruin your party.
Take steps to prevent this beforehand.
Simple Yard Work Helps
Maintaining your yard is a simple yet effective way to prevent bugs from crashing your patio party.
It not only makes your yard look nice but also keeps those unwanted bugs away.
It’s important to be cautious about certain things in your yard to avoid creating a habitat for bugs.
For instance, using mulch, while it may look nice, can provide a perfect home for bugs.
Consider using rock or gravel instead.
Also, be sure to eliminate any standing water as it can attract bugs as well.
This is where many insects breed.
Standing water in your yard is an open invitation for outdoor pests.
Ensure a clean yard, plant citronella, lavender, or basil to naturally repel bugs.
Keep the patio tidy.
If you leave food or crumbs, bugs will keep showing up despite yard work.
Household Things You Can Use
If you’re looking for ways to keep bugs away, there are items you already have at home that might help.
One thing you can do is experiment with different types of lighting.
For example, white lightbulbs emit blue light which tends to attract bugs more than other colors of light.
To reduce the number of bugs attracted to your patio, it is recommended to use yellow lights or lights with a warmer light spectrum.
Additionally, placing fans facing out towards your yard can also help.
While it may seem counterintuitive, the fans can create a wind barrier that makes it difficult for the bugs to fly towards the light.
It is impossible for bugs to fly against such strong winds.
If you have any extra dryer sheets, you can use them to wipe down your patio furniture.
This will help conceal the human scent and keep the unwanted insects away.
Being resourceful and knowledgeable can help you keep insects away from your patio party while still using your patio heater.
Electric Bug
There are many types of bug repellants and removal devices for your yard.
I use a variety of products to prevent and remove bugs on the patio.
For a deterrent, I use citronella candles and torches, as well as a fire pit.
I also have the Dyna Trap carbon dioxide trap to lure in bugs in the area.
You have to place these devices outside of your living space to capture mosquitoes before they come close to you.
The final piece is the zapper to stop any of those mosquitoes who made it through your preventive efforts.
I try to use the preventive solution first, before using the removal devices. At dusk, sometimes the bats handle mosquito control.
You can always build a bat home in your yard.
Related Article: How to Stop Mosquitoes From Multiplying
Final Thoughts
Insects can turn a great party into a disaster, and patio heaters can attract them.
Knowing how to have the best of both worlds is entirely up to you.
During these times, there’s nothing better than enjoying the company of loved ones on a patio.
With that said, hopefully, this article has provided you with some insight into why your patio heater may be attracting bugs and what measures you can take to ensure that these unwanted visitors do not interfere with your good time.
You deserve to enjoy your outdoor space without being bothered by bugs.
So, keep your yard clean, and patio tidy, and consider using a patio heater to keep warm and comfortable while entertaining guests.
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