Normally, pest control is the responsibility of wedding venues. Its people must prep the place for someone’s big day by making sure mosquitoes and other bugs don’t crash the party. Nevertheless, you may want to take heed of some helpful green advice from Green Bride Guide just in case.

Mosquito season in Michigan comes when the snow starts to thaw. Most of the water will run off to nearby rivers and lake, but there will be some in ponds and puddles. If left alone, these spots will become breeding grounds for different species of mosquitoes. More than 50 species of mosquitoes swarm every nook and cranny of the state.

Pesticides may be an effective solution, but you’ll be gassing a venue that would be filled to the brim with visitors. The smell of pesticide is obviously the smell of health problems to come.

Fortunately, there’s a way to keep guests in and pests out on the big day. It involves exploiting their heightened sense of smell, which they rely heavily on.

Mosquitoes can pick up sweet or favorable scents from as far as 30 meters away. Even if the venue is mosquito-free, swarms can still come from outside the venue by following any smell to its liking; as soon as they get within 30 feet, they can lock on to the source of the smell. One is pesky enough, so just imagine a whole swarm.

Of course, there are scents mosquitoes dislike such as herbs and oils. Herbs as centerpieces of tables can act as a perimeter deterrent, keeping mosquitoes away from the venue. Examples of natural mosquito repellents include lemon balm, catnip, marigolds, and any plant species with a citrus scent (citronella).

Other mosquito deterrents include oils and green mosquito coils; placing them in strategic spots will help keep mosquitoes from ruining beautiful weddings in Michigan. Some examples of oils are eucalyptus, basil, lavender, and lemongrass. Not only will you have a natural barrier, you’ll have a green-themed wedding event too.

Reserving the best wedding venues in Michigan, like the Crystal Gardens, will ensure that dedicated staff will keep the premises pest-free to the best of their abilities. However, it doesn’t hurt to tell guests about mosquito protection prior to the big day. They may come in full formal attire, but mosquitoes love to catch people off-guard.

(Article image and excerpt from “Greening Mosquito Repellent for Backyard Weddings!” Green Bride Guide, July 31, 2013)