A hot tub is a great investment. It adds a place of relaxation for those stressful days and an entertainment piece for when you have company over. However hot tubs come along with their fair share of responsibility, the biggest being the cleaning. The easiest way to keep your hot tub clean is with a spa cover, however this article will explain a few more options that you can use to help protect your hot tub from unwanted pests. (Sorry, there are some “pests” they won’t keep away, such as nosey aunts or irritating in-laws.)

1. Yard Fence ? A yard fence, or privacy fenceencircles your complete yard, helping to keep both human an non-human creatures out. This will help you to keep your hot tub from falling prey to unexpected guests in the middle of the night, and the privacy fence will also provide you with some much needed privacy for those late night romantic dips in the hot tub.

2. Hot Tub Covers ? We mentioned these earlier, so we should not forget them. Hot tub covers are a great way to keep bugs out of the water. These covers are easy to use and should be used every time you get out of the tub. The covers not only ensure that bugs do not land in the water by accident but also do not allow mosquitoes to make their nests in the water. They also keep out larger critters, including vulnerable kids and yucky-to-remove dead skunks.

3. Install a Plastic Owl ? Yes, a plastic owl works like a scarecrow for smaller birds and rodents. Plastic owls are most often found in gardens to keep your plants from being eaten but it is also a great way to keep these unwanted visitors and any presents they might leave behind.

4. Light a Citronella Candle ? Citronella is an effective method of insect control. It keeps them away. It also deters wild pets and other animals wandering the neighbourhood. Most insects and animals can’t stand the smell of citronella. The candles can add a romantic touch for your late night dips and best off all, no mosquito bites!

5. Kitchen Tent ? If you have a mosquito zone in your yard that is keeping you out of your hot tub you can go the extreme route and erect a kitchen tent around your deck. Not only will your hot tub be bug free it will also go a long way to keeping out unwanted creatures. Best of all the tent will keep you out of the rain on those stormy nights.

6. Sprays and Pellets ? There are many commercial sprays available for purchase that will help to keep bugs and animals away. Most animal repellents are made to mimic the fragrance of predators such as foxes and wolves and often come in the form of pellets that you can sprinkle in the vicinity of your hot tub deck.

7. Herbs ? For a more natural repellent, one can always go the natural route by planting herbs around your patio. Dried spices like black pepper, chilli and cinnomon will not only deter animals but they are equally effective on many crawling insects, such as ants.

8. Household Products ? You might already have what you need around the house. Some household products that are known to keep insects at bay, such as Vaseline, chalk, baby powder, vinegar, dish soap and even glass cleaner. The strong scents that these products give off may also help to keep animals away as well.

9. Chlorine ? Chlorine is perhaps the one chemical that we associate with pools and spas. Chlorine will help to keep your hot tub water bug and insect free by killing off any of the insect eggs and larva that the water born bugs may have laid. Whenever using chlorine make sure you follow the instructions properly. It’s one thing to have a bug free hot tub, but if too much chlorine is used the water won’t be safe for you to use. So be very careful.

10. Build A Fence On Your Deck ? The easiest way to maintain the security of the area around your hot tub from unwanted guests in the form of neighbourhood pets, wild animals and people, is to build a fence right up on your deck. A security fence is similar to a pool fence in that it will surround your deck and hot tub, but not your whole yard. This deck fence can be a wood fence with a locking gate that will help to keep animals out of your hot tub, while sending a clear message to humans that they are not invited.

In order to keep your yard free of unwanted pests, a privacy fence installation contractor can easily install a customized child pool fence around your hot tub, deck or even yard. The right fence will help to keep those unwanted pests, in the form of wild animals, neighborhood pets and even people out of your yard and out of your hot tub.