[Fire Pits] Do They Keep Mosquitoes Away? (And How)

Mosquitoes are a huge problem for many people in the United States. They can cause irritating bites and may even carry diseases that endanger your health.

One way to keep mosquitoes away is by installing a fire pit on your property. As long as it’s lit, there will be no place for them to breed near you or bite you!

However, not all fire pits work well against mosquitoes so we’ll go over which ones do and which ones don’t in this blog post!

Do Fire Pits Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Yes, backyard fire pits can be effective in repelling mosquitoes; however, it is recommended to use particular types of firewood.

Use types of wood that are high in organic compounds, such as pine and cedar, release more smoke than most other types.

The mosquitoes will be repelled by the smell of these woods before they even have a chance to come close enough for you to get bitten!

5 Ways To Get Rid Of Mosquitos Around Your Fire Pit

Fire Pits

Mosquitoes don’t like smoke, so lighting a fire pit in your backyard can help keep them away.

Firepits are not the perfect solution for outdoor pest control, but they do provide some relief from pesky mosquitoes.

Bug Spray

The easiest way to control mosquitoes is by applying a mosquito repellent that contains no harmful chemicals.

It might be wise to have an extra container available for guests who forget to apply it before coming over, especially for outdoor events where mosquitoes are more abundant.

Bug Zapper

We love to sit outside with friends and family, but we don’t usually take the necessary steps to keep bugs away.

Get an electric bug zapper for your outdoor trip or deck patio. Mosquitoes are annoyingly loud and obnoxious, as well as nauseating when they’re sitting on your plate of BBQ ribs, so roasting over a hot fire.

Scented Candles

Another popular outdoor pest and mosquito control methods today are citronella or calendula candles. They look nice, smell nice and work relatively well.

While it’s a good idea to keep these candles away from wood decks or fences that haven’t been treated, be careful using them in an area where there is fire danger because they can cause a fire.

Repellent Plants

There are a handful of plants, including geraniums, lemon thyme, and camphor trees that act as natural deterrents against mosquitoes.

They’re not a complete solution for mosquito control, but can be helpful in some cases.

Does Smoke Get Rid Of Mosquitos?

Humans have been burning things for thousands of years to keep us warm, cook our food and ward off the occasional mosquito.

But how well do these fires work in keeping those pesky mosquitoes away? The answer is complicated.

According to a press release from the University of Notre Dame, smoke might not be effective at warding off mosquitos because it can diffuse rapidly into nearby air or water which then masks any smell that would otherwise repel insect pests.

In addition, many insects are capable of detecting infrared light—the type given off by fire pits—and so they fly towards this “scent” as opposed to being repelled by its heat like humans are meant to react.”

What To Burn To Keep Mosquitos Away?

There are many things that can be done to keep mosquitos away, but one of the most effective ways is by burning certain types of plants.

There are a variety of herbs and trees that have been proven to help repel mosquitoes.

Some examples include catnip (Nepeta Cataria), basil (Ocimum Basilicum), cedarwood oil (Cedrus Atlantica), and citronella oil (Cymbopogon Nardus).

Burning these items in your yard should provide an area where you will not get bitten as often because the smoke from these herbs helps mask scents like lactic acid or carbon dioxide which attracts them.

You can also purchase mosquito repellent like a smoke bomb or citronella candles to help keep mosquitos away.

Does Pinyon Firewood Repel Mosquitos?

Pinyon (sometimes called piñon) is a popular firewood option to repel mosquitos in the U.S. Southwest, where it is commonly available.

Pinyon helps deter mosquitoes when burned in a fire pit (or fireplace) and while it has mixed reviews as a smoking wood, most agree that it smells good.  

Both qualities make pinyon an unfavorable fuel source for cooking. It is 27.1 million BTUs per cord, is on par with many of the hottest burning hardwoods.

Does Eucalyptus Firewood Repel Mosquitos?

Burning eucalyptus in your backyard can help keep mosquitoes away when mixed with other types of firewood.

There is much debate over the health effects of burning eucalyptus. Some people believe that it destroys a natural environment, while others love the smell.

The fact remains that if you have any concerns about allergies or asthma then you should not be using eucalyptus at all since it can cause an allergic reaction with some individuals who inhale its smoke.

Eucalyptus smells great and burns extremely hot–higher than any other firewood type with 34.5 million BTUs/cord. There are complaints about the loud sparking, but otherwise, it performs very well as outdoor firewood outdoors.

However, some people are hesitant to use it due to the fast-burning process and because of its tendency to cause sparks when burned.

It is recommended that eucalyptus wood not be used indoors for this reason as well.

Does Burning Rosemary or Sage Repel In A Fire Pit Repel Mosquitos?

Did you know mosquitoes don’t like rosemary or sage? To ward them off around the fire pit, make sure you pick up a couple of bundles from the supermarket.

Use one at a time as needed on your lit fire pit. The dried kind is not effective enough for this job to use fresh green bundles.

Do Propane Fire Pits Repel Mosquitoes?

A propane fire pit does not repel mosquitoes from coming to the area.

In actual fact, a gas-powered fire pit has no smell, and carbon dioxide is released, attracting them.

However, an adjustment to your propane fire pit will make it effective against mosquitos.

Conclusion

Fire pits generally work well against mosquitoes because of their smoke. The problem is that not all fire pits are created equal and some people may find them ineffective at keeping away annoying bugs.