Costco's Solution For Bug-Free Outdoor Entertaining Has Shoppers Excited

With warm spring weather spreading across the country, many people are starting to plan their next outdoor party. Not much can ruin a beautiful and warm summer night spent outside with friends and food except ... bugs. They always come flying into your food, smelling the delicious meals you've prepared and hoping to get a piece for themselves. Costco might have the perfect solution for this endless battle: its Elements Bug Repelling Fans. A pack of two retails for just $28.99.

These fans are small cones with holographic blades that rotate horizontally to keep bugs away from your table. The fans have batteries that can run for up to 10 hours between charges, enough time to enjoy your dinner outside. They can be placed on a table or hung above it to scare flying bugs away. And yes, we know what you're thinking. Aren't blades rotating at high speed on the table a bit of a hazard? Not these ones! The blades are soft and stop when they come into contact with people or even objects, so they're completely safe.

The reason why these fans work is because the holographic pattern on the blades confuses the bugs. In addition, it creates a bit of wind around the table. While the small breeze is almost unnoticeable for you, it's annoying for small insects who are trying to hang out in the area. This is a totally humane and chemical-free way to keep bugs away. It's a one of the Costco garden items that is worth the money.

These fans work against all types of flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and wasps. The best part about them is that they're completely free of chemicals and therefore repel bugs naturally, which is not the case for most bug sprays. While you may choose to use bug spray on yourself to prevent mosquito bites, you should keep it far away from food. Instead, pair the fans with some other natural bug repellants. Add some citronella candles around the table and create a naturally fragrant tablescape with things like lavender, rosemary, or even citrus peels. These strong smells help deter bugs from coming for your food. 

And if your table is a bit too crowded with all this anti-bug equipment, why not hang the fans above you instead? A small hook at the bottom of the Costco fans allows you to hang them from above to make some space on the tabletop. You can set up a clothing line over your table to attach it to, and even use the line to easily hang some outdoor string lights or lanterns for ambiance. Another option is to use a piece of rope to hang the fan from a tree branch above the table, or from a metal piece of an umbrella set up above your patio table.