Entertain Outside without Mosquitoes

I love eating and entertaining in our backyard during the summer, but I absolutely hate mosquitoes and other warm weather pests.  To keep them away there's a few attractive tricks to keep your patio and deck clear of bugs, while also creating an inviting ambiance.

Two things mosquitoes dislike are citrus and citronella.   Fill a vase or a pitcher with sliced lemons for your table centerpiece.  Hang glass votive candle holders from trees or shepard hooks.  To keep the lemon theme going use yellow citronella  votives, like these I found on Amazon. Yellow Citronella Votive Candles, Set of 20  Tiki torches are also a great way to warm up your backyard and keep bugs away using citronella oil. 

From the yellow lemons to the yellow votives to the yellow flame of the torches your outdoor entertaining space will glow with warmth and the only guests will be those you invited.  Now all you need is an adorable yellow dress...I'm in love with this one from Anthropologie.