Summer is a great time to put a few easy best practices in place to keep bothersome bugs from ruining outdoor fun, and encourage your homeowner’s association residents to do the same.

Before enjoying barbecue parties and sleeping under the stars, many people spray themselves and their lawns with chemical repellents to get rid of these pests, but there are natural alternatives that are environmentally friendly to the homes and common areas in your association.

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a bug-free summer.

Get growing

Planting a simple garden in common areas or backyards can do wonders in keeping the bug count down. Plants like garlic, radishes, marigolds, nasturtium, oregano, sage, rosemary, cilantro and mint are easy to cultivate and can make the area in and around your garden uninviting to the creepy crawlers because they act as natural bug repellents. Pest-control never looked or tasted so good!

Wet and wild

Eliminate stagnate or standing water around the Association because it provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Emptying kiddie pools, ponds, and fountains and refilling them with fresh water, cleaning leaves and other debris out of gutters, and filling in puddles with dirt are just some of the ways to reduce the buzzing bugs in yards and common areas.

Going to the birds

Setting up a few bird houses around the homeowners association community is not only a great way to enjoy the beauty of our feathered friends, but it also mitigates bug problems, since many birds love to dine on dragonflies, dung beetles and other bugs.

Candle in the wind

When enjoying the great outdoors of your homeowners association, ignite an all-natural bug repellent candle nearby to keep the bugs at bay, and enjoy the sweet smell of citronella, lavender, mint and other aromas that pests find repugnant. Brands such as BioSensory, Solay, Melo and Yankee Candle have jumped onto the debugging bandwagon and offer eco-conscious candles.

Light up the night

Many high-flying insects are drawn to light like moths to the flame. So, why not install an elevated yellow bug light on your back porch or deck to attract those critters up and away from the ground (and you!) when you spend an evening outdoors.

Don't forget, before trying any bug-battling techniques, be sure to review your CC&Rs to make sure they are in compliance with the homeowner’s association rules.