Here's How to Ward Off Swarms of June Bugs In Oklahoma

It's summer in Oklahoma, so that means nights will be filled with mosquitoes and June bugs. Mosquitoes are already coming out in Oklahoma, and the June bugs won't be too far behind. Soon Oklahomans will be battling it out with the flying pests right under their porch lights.

Oklahomans use several store-bought defenses, homemade remedies and specific plants in their gardens to ward off mosquitoes. But what about June bugs? Luckily, there's a few lawn care practices, home adjustments and garden additives that Okies can do to prevent swarms of June bugs.

Here's How To Prevent June Bugs

All Oklahomans know that June bugs are attracted to light, and there's a way to limit swarms of June bugs at your front door. Check out these tips to prevent June bugs from flooding your porch.

Keep a Healthy Lawn

Did you know June bugs lay their eggs in your lawn? It's important to keep a tidy lawn if you want to prevent June bugs. They like to lay their eggs in short, grassy areas, so keep your lawn at about 3 inches to prevent June bugs from laying their eggs in your yard. Also, you'll want to clean up areas with leaves, dead vegetation and grass trimmings as June bugs like these areas as well to lay eggs.

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Update Your Porch Light

No Oklahoman likes fighting June bugs to get into their house. June bugs love a bright white light, but if you change the light bulb in your porch light to a warm, yellow light or update your porch light to LED, you can easily deter June bugs away from your porch.

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Plant Lavender and Rosemary

If you're gardener or if you like potted plants on your porch, you can plant lavender and rosemary to keep June bugs away. Humans love the smell of these plants, but June bugs don't! They'll want to stay away from the unpleasant smell of these plants.

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Spray Preventative Insecticide

If you have a lot of June bugs at your home, your lawn may be a breeding ground. You'll want to check for signs that you have June bugs, and if you do, you'll want to spray a preventative insecticide.

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Oklahoma's Beneficial Insects

Not all insects are pests! There are some insects that are beneficial to you and your garden. In a study by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service on beneficial insects, "most insects found in yards, gardens or crops do not feed on or harm plants. Many are just 'passing through' or have very innocuous habits. Others feed on and destroy pest species. In many cases, the activities of these beneficial species can prevent or greatly limit pest problems."

Gallery Credit: Jeri Anderson