Back off, buzz bandits!

There are nearly 70 species of mosquitoes in Ontario.

By HERB LAGOIS

Mosquitoes! Dreadful little winged vampires! I don’t know which is worse, the sound of their incessant buzz and whine or the anticipation of their attack. You get ready to swat, clap, and finish off the horrid varmint mid-flight. You fail, of course. And then you’re left with an itch that you can’t seem to stop scratching.

You might prefer not to know this, but there are almost 70 species of the nasty critters in Ontario. Trillions of them or more. And every single one of them seems to be out to get us on a warm summer evening. What are we to do?

Lathering with repellants is an option, of course; yet I recall, years ago, mosquito repellant actually melted the handle of my hammer. Since then, repellants don’t seem like such a great idea.

You know about removing standing water, and using fans, and repairing loose screens, of course. You might have invested in a “zapper” – with a noise that can be almost as annoying as the mosquitoes themselves. You might consider building a gazebo, or screening in a porch.

But what about living in a space attached to your home that integrates the indoors and outdoors, a space you can use in spring, summer and fall without worrying about how many mosquitoes plan on inviting themselves for dinner?

Outdoors? Indoors? How about both? This project by Lagois is one example.

Screen technology has improved significantly over the years, so outdoor living spaces can be totally open to the outdoors or easily closed to those vexatious brats when they arrive. Even garages can be used as three-season spaces.

However, there are things to consider. If indoor-outdoor integration is a concept for your next renovation, these questions will need to be answered:

• What will the sun exposure be? What are the views? What are the prevailing winds?

• Would you prefer an attached screened room or a separate gazebo?

• Is there traffic noise or mechanical equipment noise nearby?

• Would you like a barbecue area? An outdoor kitchen? An outdoor fireplace?

A Lagois outdoor kitchen, anyone?

If your sun exposure is west, the afternoon sun can become unbearable. However, there are solutions: for example, covered porches and verandahs (which can be screened), trellises or awnings with automatic retraction when the winds become too strong. (On the other hand, awnings might shade the interior of your home -- another thing to consider.) Screened porches often have some form of glazing (windows) as well.

If you decide on a gazebo, its benefit is that, located properly, you can take advantage of vistas not possible from the main house or cottage.

Traffic noise can be a problem when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors, but it can be greatly alleviated with landscape burms and materials or structural walls. Air conditioners and pool pumps are noisy, but they can be located away from your living area.

The possibilities are endless for indoor-outdoor integration by means of a three-season or four-season space, a screened-in porch, a gazebo or other clever solutions. They’re some of the innovative ways you can enjoy the outdoors without battling the elements, including mosquitoes… no matter how many species there are.

Are you listening, you buzz bandits?

Herb Lagois is the founder of Lagois Design·Build·Renovate.

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