"Citronella candles and bug sprays just didn't cut it, especially around dusk."
You're spot on about citronella...been there, done that. If you're going to put effort into a nice backyard bar setup, investing in sturdier mesh screens is definitely worth the peace of mind. Good luck with the install!
Mesh screens do help, but honestly...do you really want to feel like you're sitting in a tent every time you're enjoying your own backyard? I went with a couple of outdoor fans instead. Mosquitoes hate airflow and it helps keep everyone cool too. Plus, no hassle of installing screens or feeling boxed in. Have you considered giving some fans a shot before committing to screens?
I totally get your point about mesh screens feeling a bit restrictive. When I first started renovating my backyard, I was pretty set on installing screens around the patio area—mostly because mosquitoes were driving us crazy during evening hangouts. But after seeing a friend's setup with outdoor fans, I decided to give it a try myself before committing to screens.
Honestly, it made a huge difference. The airflow really does keep mosquitoes away, and it feels much more open and inviting than being enclosed by screens. Plus, the fans add a nice breeze on hot days, which is a bonus when you're entertaining guests at your home bar. I still haven't completely ruled out screens for certain areas, but for now, the fans are doing the trick nicely. It's definitely worth experimenting with before making any permanent decisions.
I went through something similar last summer. We initially planned on screening in our patio but ended up just installing a couple of ceiling fans instead. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but the fans really did help with mosquitoes and made the space feel much more open. Plus, it's nice having that breeze when we're hanging out at the bar area—definitely makes those warm evenings more comfortable. Glad we didn't rush into screens right away...
We went the ceiling fan route too, and honestly, it was a game changer. A couple things we noticed:
- Mosquitoes really do hate moving air—who knew? Way fewer bites without any sprays or candles.
- The openness is great, especially if you have plants around. Feels like you're sitting in a garden bar.
- Bonus eco-tip: fans use way less energy than running bug zappers or citronella torches all evening.
Screens can feel a bit closed-in...glad we skipped them too.
