Mosquitoes are annoying, to say the least. Not only because they spread diseases, but also because they ruin a perfect evening outdoor experience with their constant biting, and you have to keep slapping them off of you. In an attempt to keep them away, you may want to set up a fire pit in your favorite spot. While propane fire pits are a good choice for your backyard, can they keep the mosquitoes away?
A propane fire pit will not keep mosquitoes away but rather attract them. Indeed, propane alone will burn with no smell and release carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. But, with slight modifications to your propane fire pit, it can be an excellent mosquito repellent.
A perfect family bonding time, roasting marshmallows and talking under the moon, doesn’t have to be cut short because of mosquitoes. Luckily, your propane fire pit can help keep them away, but there are things you can do to make it more effective. As you read this article, you’ll find out how you can use a propane fire pit to keep mosquitoes away.
Does a propane fire pit keep mosquitoes away?
Mosquitoes (predominantly female mosquitoes) are attracted to carbon dioxide. That’s how they hunt for blood and identify their host. They can detect the carbon dioxide you breathe out and come right where you are, no matter how big your house is.
Meanwhile, propane is a hydrocarbon. It means that when burnt in the air, it produces carbon dioxide. Therefore, when you set up a propane fire pit, the carbon dioxide will attract mosquitoes to the fire pit instead of getting rid of them.
To ensure that your propane fire pit repels mosquitoes, you’ll need to introduce some strong-smelling herbs into the fire, such as lavender, citronella, lemon balm, mint, sage, etc. Mosquitoes hate the pungent herb smell and so will stay away from the fire pit.
Is your fire pit not generating enough heat? This will be a problem, especially during the colder months. If you want your fire to burn stronger and generate more heat, check out our 5 ways to get more heat from your fire pit.
Are propane pits worth it?
Investing in a propane fire pit could be a practical choice, but it comes with its advantages and disadvantages, like any other investment. Before you decide whether to get a wood or a propane fire pit, it’s crucial to weigh in on each one’s merits and demerits.
Here are some reasons I think a propane pit is worth it.
- It’s environmentally friendly – Burning propane releases carbon dioxide into the air and burns completely, leaving no harmful residues. This keeps the environment clean and unpolluted.
- It’s safe – The propane fire burns calmly with no embers, so there’s a reduced risk of a fire hazard.
- It’s easy to use – Especially when lighting the fire and controlling temperatures. Compared to wood fire pits, lighting a propane fire pit is a breeze.
- It’s easy to clean – Propane burns completely, leaving no ashes behind, so the maintenance and cleaning practices are quickly done.
- It has a good heat output – The average heat output of about 40,000 – 100,000 BTUs is enough to warm small to moderate gatherings, like those of a family.
However, there are some disadvantages to it:
- The gas line can rupture and result in an uncontrollable fire. Therefore, it’s essential to be careful and regularly check the gas line for any possible leaks.
- Some harmful carbon monoxide may be produced (in small quantities) as a result of the incomplete combustion of propane. Inhaling too much carbon monoxide can lead to poisoning. To avoid this, ensure that your propane pit is outside or in a well-ventilated room.
- Moisture can build up inside the propane pit and interfere with the burners, causing the equipment to rust.
Your propane fire pit can last for a long time if you take proper care of it. You can adopt maintenance practices like keeping a cover on it whenever it’s not in use and looking out for any causes of soot.
What else can you put in a fire pit to keep mosquitoes away?
I love the evening breeze. However, mosquitoes always make it impossible to enjoy some quiet with their constant buzzing and biting. Thankfully, with time, I have learned about a natural, safe way to keep them at bay — burning herbs. Toss a few branches into your fire pit and you’ll enjoy heavenly scents while the mosquitoes go away.
Burning herbs have held both cultural and spiritual significance for a long time. The practice still carries such value as several herbs are burnt for medicinal purposes and repel insects and mosquitoes from homes.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite herbs to use.
- Lavender – Whether English, French, or Spanish lavender, the pleasant scent that emanates from this plant when burnt works effectively to repel flying insects. It’s widely used as most people love it.
- Mint family – Members of the mint family, like peppermint, carry a strong scent that mosquitoes detest. The strong smell from the burning mint will help you relax, as well as tackle your mosquito problem.
- Lemon balm – It carries a mild lemony fragrance that isn’t too pleasant for mosquitoes. It works effectively to keep them and other flying insects away.
- Sage – Its smoke, commonly used for aromatherapy, makes it an excellent choice for your evening outdoor experience. It works perfectly to send mosquitoes packing so that you not only relax your brain but also be free from annoying mosquitoes.
- Citronella – You’ll find citronella as an ingredient in most mosquito-repelling candles available on the market today. Its smoke and beautiful scent does a perfect job at keeping mosquitoes at bay.
Having these herbs planted in your garden is a plus. Not only will you have them burning in your fire pit, but they’ll also repel insects and bugs from your home. If a mosquito bite irritates your skin as much as it does to me, you can try rubbing some of these herbs onto your skin, and mosquitos will stay away from you.
Oxygen is necessary for fire to burn, but too much of it can be a nuisance and can even lead to accidents. To be able to enjoy your fire pit even on windy days, you need to get a wind blocker for your fire pit. If you are looking for recommendations, here are the 3 best wind blockers for fire pits.
Final Thoughts
Mosquitoes are definitely the number one nuisance that you have to deal with if you want to enjoy a relaxing night outdoors, especially during the summer. Luckily, there are ways to repel these critters. You can use bug spray, wear mosquito repellent lotion, or you can light your fire pit. But if you have a propane fire pit, there are a few extra steps that you need to do to keep these bugs away.
As we have discussed in this article, propane fire pits actually attract mosquitoes instead of repelling them. To counter this, one of the things that you can do is burn herbs with strong scents that mosquitoes dislike, which is a win-win situation since you are keeping the mosquitoes away while also enjoying the calming scent of your chosen herb.
Now that you know how to repel mosquitos using your propane fire pit, you can now peacefully enjoy your nights outdoors surrounded by the calming scent of herbs and the warmth of your propane fire pit.
