The Extra Benefit Of Outdoor Ceiling Fans (That Has Nothing To Do With Cooling)

Imagine this: You're sitting on your patio or porch. It's a hot and humid kind of day, but that's not an issue because you have your outdoor ceiling fan on full blast. You might even notice that there aren't any flies in sight. Weird, right? It turns out, this isn't a coincidence. While most people install an outdoor ceiling fan to have breezy nights, it also secretly (and conveniently) keeps flying insects away. This can help deter those annoying flies from landing right in your food, help to gently guide bees back to your flowers, and throw off the path of mosquitos that are making a beeline towards their next meal.

The circulating of air (combined with the menacing rotating blades) make it challenging for these little guys to fly in the area surrounding the fan. Essentially, what may feel like a refreshing breeze to you is a bug's windstorm. The real question is — how effective are outdoor ceiling fans at repelling bugs? What if mosquitoes come at your legs instead? Read on to find out how to make your patio feel more like a living room with the right outdoor fan.

Yes, an outdoor ceiling fan can help deter certain insects, but only when it's running at high speeds. Some larger insects may still be able to fly through. That being said, the fan's downward draft makes it easier to catch (or slap) them in case they choose to get too close. An even better line of defense against both the sweltering heat and the stubborn bugs that come with it is to pair your outdoor ceiling fan with a portable floor fan. This will prevent both flying and crawling insects from interrupting your time outside.

One important thing to point out, however, is that outdoor ceiling fans typically cost over $100, not including the cost of professional installation, so choosing to bring in a new fan for pest control likely isn't the most cost-effective strategy. If you do decide to go for this method, go big or go home. The larger the blade, the wider the area it can cover, and the more bug-free your space will be. The Fanbulous 72-inch Large Outdoor Ceiling Fan is a great example. On that note, always choose an outdoor-rated fan (even if the area is covered), so it holds up to environmental conditions, like humidity, moisture, and corrosion. An indoor model simply won't survive under these conditions.

Don't worry if an outdoor ceiling fan isn't in the cards for you right now. In the meantime, feel free to use standing fans to repel bugs naturally and make your exterior space more usable on hot days.