Protect your furniture from insects, birds & rodents
In addition to exposure to the elements, patio furniture can be damaged or marred by small living creatures. Gardens, backyards and other outdoor spaces teem with bugs, fowl and little furry critters looking for sustenance and shelter. Safeguarding your outdoor lounge and dining sets against these pests improves their longevity and aesthetic appeal.
General maintenance steps such as keeping items clean and covered when not in use help thwart these bothersome creatures. Additionally, keeping the area free from garbage, food remnants and standing water will make your space less attractive to them. The final section of our guide touches on some solutions to combat specific types of pests.
Insects
Patios provide many places for bugs to nest or inhabit. Crawling and biting insects are especially attracted to nooks and crevices in outdoor wicker chairs, tables and sofas. Additionally, lights that generate heat draw a variety of flying insects that can sting or be a nuisance to you and your guests.
Helpful Article
We recommend reading our article How to Get Rid of Insects for insight into taking care of specific bugs.
Signs of insect activity
Look for spider webs and egg sacs in the corners where the legs and frames meet. Don’t forget to check underneath seating, as many bugs like dark and moist out-of-the-way spaces. You might also find white or brown specs (bug droppings), light debris or clumps of dirt or mud on or around tables where food and beverages are typically served. Flying insects such as flies, bees and mosquitos are much easier to spot during the daytime, but you might also find a few dead ones beneath hot lamps at night.
Remedies for insects
The best way to deter bugs (aside from regular cleaning) is through smells that are repellant to them. Essential oil sprays or plants of mint, lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus are great options because they drive insects away and provide appealing scents to your outdoor area. Marigolds are blooming flowers that work, along with cedar chips which spiders do not like. Burning citronella lamps will keep flies and mosquitos at bay. Using LED lights will eliminate the heat that some flying insects are drawn to.
Birds
While the light chirping of our finely feathered friends may add to the pastoral ambiance of your backyard or patio space, they can also be annoying, and troublesome and cause potential damage to your outdoor furnishings. Thankfully, there are several ways to keep them from ruining your next barbecue or casual get-together.
Evidence of birds
Droppings are the telltale sign that you have an avian issue. Bird poop is not only unsightly, but it can permanently damage finishes and fabrics if not taken care of immediately. You may also see talon scratches on seating frames or puncture marks in upholstery.
Bird remedies
You can keep birds away by scaring them, making them uncomfortable, removing attractions or luring them away. Predator decoys such as fake owls or eagles will make smaller birds think twice before invading your outdoor setting. Periodically move them so pestering birds don’t get used to them in one place. Birds are wary of shiny and moving things, so reflective pinwheels or hanging small mirrors, CDs or metallic wind chimes work well. The chimes also make sounds that disorient them as do ultrasonic devices. As with insects, birds don’t like particular smells. Peppermint and chili pepper sprays or plants are effective. Eliminate nearby spaces where birds might nest, perch or hide by pruning trees and shrubs. You might also place a bird feeder far away from where you plan to entertain or dine.
Rodents
Gnawing rodents with claws can inflict severe damage on patio furniture as they gather materials for their nests. This destruction has financial implications as well, since it is not usually covered by manufacturer warranties. Squirrels, mice and raccoons also carry diseases that can make your family or pets sick. Many of the same deterrents for bugs and birds work for rodents as well.
Signals of rodent activity
The most prevalent damage from rodents is from chewed-up cushions and torn-up wicker fibers. The foam stuffing and thin fibers resemble natural materials they typically use to build and line their nests. You may also find traces of excrement or evidence of their efforts to access seeds around bird feeders.
Counteracting rodents
Hawk and owl decoys scare these small rodents but, like birds, you need to rotate the location and or type of predator. Plant or spray mint, lavender, red pepper, or eucalyptus or burn citronella to make your backyard less inviting. Install solar-powered ultrasound devices or motion-activated sprinklers to repel rodents if they do decide to venture onto your property. If you have a dog, let them roam and bark around the house for a little while each day. They’ll either chase squirrels and mice away or give them pause. Make sure that any bird feeders are only accessible by birds and not small prying paws or jaws. You might lure rodents away by nailing corn cobs to fencing or trees set away from where you set lounge or dining furniture.
If these non-invasive solutions don’t sufficiently resolve your pest problem, you may have to store insecticides and pesticides or professional services. There are also more invasive measures such as predator urine and surface spikes.
Safeguarding your outdoor furniture is worthwhile
Taking care of your patio dining and lounge sets is time-consuming and takes effort. However, cleaning and maintaining everything will help increase its longevity. If you invested in premium pieces, you don’t want to replace them every season. Not only will you ensure you have furnishings you can be proud of but they won’t break down either.
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