We love our handmade hideaway. It’s our very favorite thing we’ve ever made for our kids. It’s been a real hit with their friends, and we love the memories we’ve all made here.
{See some of our very favorite reader creations, too for more inspiration!}
We made a little video of FAQ’s on all things hideaway related, in case you want to check it out here.
But one of the questions we receive the most, that we’ve never covered is, how do you keep bugs out of the hideaway? We kind of forgot to cover that one.
One sweet person on instagram wrote us recently and said:
…Wondering… how do you keep the bugs out? Do wasps build nests in the nooks and crannies? I like to think of everything that could go wrong before I commit to something.
photo via brian woodcock for country living
We totally get it. Once you build something, you have to maintain it. The hideaway needs a good seasonal clean out, currently, so that’s next on our to-do list. It’s going to be a yard day extravaganza where we clean out all the things. We’re totally pumped. I hope you can tell. ;}
One of the reasons we included a screen in version 2.0, was that we loved a good screened in, secure area for spending the day without worrying about bugs. Mosquitos, mainly. But the biggest potential thing we deal with seasonally, is wasps and ants. While you can’t control nature, and sometimes this is just one of the things you have to deal with, there are definitely some things you can do to prevent the issue.
Here are a few of our best tips for preventing bugs in the hideaway!
1. The foam that came with our roofing materials.
Per their label, they’re technically called square closure strips for PolyCarb and UltraVinyl panels. I call them foam.
But they’re basically made the keep the elements out, once you build your hideaway.
{There are more details in this roofing post, including where to scoop them up with the roofing}
The idea is that once secured, it lines up perfectly with the ridges in the roofline, and blocks out all the things. Birds included.
You can see where we placed it, here.
So far, so good. Sometimes, keeping it real, the kids leave the door open. The other day a bird was stuck and he had to be escorted out. No worries, he’s fine. But it does do a very efficient job and keeping out the wee beasties.
In this photo, you can see where it extends to the outside but this is how it’s placed underneath.
2. The bug man.
The bug man comes every few months to our house and sprays around the hideaway.
Part of his visit, is also sweeping out any forming nests in and around the hideaway. This is just part of our pest plan, and we love that our hideaway is included in it. That way, there are no worries in the meantime, and we have peace of mind knowing he takes care of it.
AKA if someone leaves part of a popsicle stick in the hideaway, there aren’t swarms of ants in an hour.
Occasionally, he finds wasp nests, but he eliminates them. That way there is no growing danger for our kids.
His regular visits keep ants and spiders and other whatnots in check.
Again, it’s time for our seasonal clean out, so keeping it neater inside, helps that issue, too.
3. Natural solutions
There are always natural plants you can bring in, to help keep the pests at bay. You do have to take care of them once they’re planted, but placing them around and in the hideaway would be helpful.
photo via brian woodcock for country living
One reader in particular on instagram, {@itsallaboutmyweeman} recommended spearmint plants and eucalyptus.
There are also certain essential oils inside to help keep them at bay, that you can sprinkle regularly.
So be sure to check out those solutions as well.
We’re pleased to say that we haven’t had any real issues so far, with these preventative measures in our hideaway!
We hope this helps!
Be sure to share with us if you’ve built one, and check out versions 1 + 2 here!
Have an inspired day!
Janet says
These tips are awesome! Thank you for sharing these. I’ve been wondering some of the same things.