Fire is a natural bug repellent, right? Not exactly. While mosquitoes aren't naturally attracted to fire and wood smoke, it won't keep them away completely.

So, how can you enjoy your outdoor fire pit to the fullest without being attacked by pesky mosquitoes? Your mosquito repellent methods will depend on whether you have a gas fire pit or a wood-burning fire pit.

Lighting citronella candles, reducing standing water in your backyard, or putting up mosquito netting contribute to keeping bugs away, but they aren't foolproof methods. Learn how to use your fire pit to eradicate mosquitoes for good.

How to Mosquito-Proof a Wood-Burning Fire Pit

A wood-burning fire pit is less effective than you might think at keeping mosquitoes away. Smoke keeps them from the blaze but likely won't offer much protection for those around the fire.

That doesn't mean you should give up on nighttime fire pit gatherings. Great ways to turn your wood-burning fire pit into a natural bug deterrent exist. Discover the best fuel or herbs to add to your wood-burning fire pit to repel mosquitoes.

Cedar

Cedar has natural insect-repelling abilities thanks to the compounds trapped within the wood. Thujone oil is the most powerful of these compounds. When burned, this softwood produces a pungent scent that is pleasant to humans but drives mosquitoes and other bugs away. Cedar kindling and firewood will work wonders. Adding cedar chips or mulch to your fire pit is as effective if you can't find cedar firewood.

Infused Fire Starter Logs

Not all fire starter logs are created equal, but the logs containing citronella work to keep mosquitoes away. Citronella oil is not the only essential oil that helps, however. Using fire starter logs infused with eucalyptus or lemongrass helps disguise the scents that attract mosquitoes to you. These aromas are pleasant to the human nose but will repel mosquitoes.

Pinion

Pinion is a dense softwood pine from the American Southwest that boasts powerful oils extremely repellent to mosquitoes. Pinion is harder than most softwoods, burns clean, and gives off a strong pine scent that keeps pests away. This type of wood is often cut into smaller logs, making it an excellent addition to your fire pit arsenal.

Sage

Thanks to its natural compounds, sage is a herb that doubles as an insect repellent. Throw a clump of fresh sage on top of the burning logs in your fire pit to create fragrant smoke that will keep bugs away. Using sage essential oil as a body spray is another great way to deter mosquitoes, but it's also known to be effective in repelling ticks.

Lavender

Lavender is best known for its lovely, calming scent but is also an effective insect deterrent. You can rub crushed lavender leaves on the skin for a natural bug repellent, but you can also burn it to keep mosquitoes at bay. Add a bunch to the side of your fire so that it will burn enough to release scent but not enough to be charred within seconds.

Citronella

Planting citronella near a fire pit is a great way to keep flying insects away. This perennial clumping grass is known for its strong scent that can overpower and mask other smells that attract mosquitoes. A handful of citronella on the fire makes the scent even more intense and will keep pests away.

Basil

Burning basil works well to repel mosquitoes, but some methods work better than others. You can use fresh basil, but it's less effective than burning dried herb bundles. Place these bundles in the outer section of the fire pit, where they will burn slowly and release a lot of aromatic smoke.

Thyme

Silver thyme, English thyme, and creeping thyme are handy for keeping mosquitoes away from your campfire. Burning thyme leaves offers 85 percent protection for up to 90 minutes. Crush leaves and stems and rub them on your skin and clothing for an instant bug repellent, or place small bundles around your outdoor living area.

How to Mosquito-Proof a Gas Fire Pit

Gas fire pits produce smokeless flames and carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. The carbon dioxide you breathe out is how mosquitoes find you, so adding more of it to the air could worsen your mosquito problem. However, you can take a few steps to keep your outdoor area bug-free.

Mosquitoes dislike strong herb scents such as citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, mint, rosemary, or sage. Take advantage of this by burning herbs as incense, using herb-infused candles or torches, or using essential oils in a diffuser. Planting herbs in nearby gardens or placing pots of herbs near your fire pit will also help.

Mosquitoes seek out bird baths, plastic swimming pools, and other water-filled containers to lay their eggs. Keeping your outdoor living space free of standing water will make your yard less attractive to these pesky insects.

Putting your gas fire pit in a mosquito net tent or under a gazebo or pergola with mosquito netting is a great way to keep the pests away. Mosquito net panels can even be attached to a canopy or a veranda.

Running an electric fan is another option. The breeze from the fan creates a wind barrier, discouraging mosquitoes from getting too close.

Keep Your Backyard Free of Mosquitoes

Keeping pesky mosquitoes at bay comes down to having suitable wood and herbs to burn in your wood-burning fire pit. Keeping a stack of insect-repellent firewood on hand and having some bundles of strong-smelling herbs ready to add to the blaze will make your outdoor social time more pleasant for everyone.

Do you have a mosquito-repelling technique that you use? Share your tips and this article with all of your fire pit-loving friends.