"Charcoal bags have been more reliable for me personally."
I've had pretty good luck with charcoal bags too, especially for odors. Coffee grounds never seemed to do much for me either... But speaking of pests, has anyone tried planting mint or lavender nearby? Heard mixed reviews about it actually helping.
I've actually tried planting mint around my patio last summer, mostly because I heard it helps with mosquitoes. Honestly, the results were kinda mixed. It seemed like there were fewer bugs at first, but after a while, they just came back anyway. Maybe I didn't plant enough or in the right spots? Lavender, though—I haven't personally tried it, but my neighbor swears by it. Her patio always smells amazing, and she claims it keeps pests away pretty well.
Either way, even if mint or lavender don't completely solve the pest issue, they're still nice to have around. Mint grows like crazy though, so if you do plant it, keep an eye on it or it'll take over your whole garden bed... learned that one the hard way.
"Mint grows like crazy though, so if you do plant it, keep an eye on it or it'll take over your whole garden bed... learned that one the hard way."
You're definitely right about mint—it can quickly become invasive if not managed properly. Don't be discouraged by the mixed results with mosquitoes; sometimes these natural methods take a bit of trial and error. Lavender is indeed a solid choice, and it adds a pleasant fragrance too. Maybe try combining lavender with citronella candles or torches for better results? Either way, your patio sounds like it's shaping up nicely.
"Mint grows like crazy though, so if you do plant it, keep an eye on it or it'll take over your whole garden bed... learned that one the hard way."
Haha, same here—mint took over half my herb garden before I knew what hit me. Lavender's been way easier to manage, and honestly, citronella candles do seem to help a bit more with mosquitoes... plus they look nice at night.
Lavender's great—low-maintenance and smells amazing. Tried citronella candles too, but honestly, mosquitoes around here seem immune sometimes, lol. Has anyone tried lemon balm? Heard it's easier to control than mint and still repels bugs... curious if that's true.
