Why Insects Love Your Reading Chair as Much as You Do

There is something quietly wonderful about settling into a garden chair with a book, a mug of tea and an hour of nothing in particular to do. Until the midges arrive. Within minutes of stillness, you become the most interesting thing in the garden — warm, breathing, and giving off exactly the cocktail of carbon dioxide and skin scent that biting insects find irresistible.

The good news is that you do not need to douse yourself in harsh chemicals or retreat indoors at dusk. With a bit of planning around planting, scent, airflow and light, you can create a reading corner that stays pleasant well into the evening. Here is how to go about it.

Start with Airflow and Position

Midges and mosquitoes are weak fliers, and wind is their enemy. Even a gentle breeze is usually enough to keep them from settling. If you have a choice, place your reading chair in a spot that catches a light draught — the corner of a garden where air funnels between a fence and a hedge, or beside an open lawn where nothing blocks the movement of air.

Standing water is the other big factor. Biting insects breed in still water, so have a walk around and deal with the obvious culprits:

• Water butts left open, or with lids that have slipped
• Plant saucers under pots that hold water for days
• Buckets, wheelbarrows and watering cans left upturned or full
• Blocked gutters and dips in tarpaulin covers
• Ornamental ponds with no movement or fish

If you keep a pond, a small solar pump or a few native fish will keep the water moving and reduce the larvae that survive. Empty anything that collects rain within a week and you break the breeding cycle before it starts.

Plant a Natural Barrier Around Your Seating

Scent is a powerful deterrent. Many insects navigate by smell, and strong aromatic plants confuse them or actively put them off. The trick is to plant these close to where you sit, not tucked away at the back of a border, so the oils are released right where you need them.

Reliable choices for a UK garden include:

• Lavender — hardy, drought-tolerant and superb in a pot beside a chair
• Rosemary and thyme — useful in the kitchen and happy in poor, sunny soil
• Lemon balm and mint — vigorous, so keep them in containers
• Catmint (Nepeta) — long-flowering and a magnet for bees rather than biters
• Marigolds and basil — easy annuals for a nearby trough
• Citronella grass — needs a sheltered, sunny spot or a pot brought in over winter

Brush past these plants as you walk to your chair and you will release a cloud of scent. A small posy of lavender or rosemary laid on the table beside you works surprisingly well too. As a bonus, these plants bring in bees, hoverflies and butterflies, which make the garden feel alive without nibbling your ankles.

Candles, Oils and Smoulders

Citronella candles are the classic solution and, used properly, they genuinely help. The catch is that they only work in still air and only within a metre or so of the flame, so they need to be positioned thoughtfully. Place two or three around your chair — one at your feet, one on the table, one behind you — rather than a single candle off to the side.

Beyond candles, there are several low-effort options worth trying:

• Citronella and eucalyptus oil burners — a few drops in water over a tea light
• Incense sticks — sandalwood and cedarwood are particularly effective
• Smouldering coils — for sitting out long into the evening, though check the smoke does not bother you
• Essential oil spritzers — a mix of water, witch hazel and a few drops of lemon eucalyptus sprayed on cushions and nearby foliage

Avoid using these on very windy evenings, when the smoke will simply blow away, and never leave a flame unattended. If you have pets or small children, choose unlit oil diffusers and keep the liquids well out of reach.

Dress and Prepare Yourself

Sometimes the simplest measures are the most effective. Insects are drawn to dark colours and to exposed skin, so a few small changes make a real difference.

• Wear light-coloured, loose clothing that covers arms and ankles at dusk
• Choose a repellent containing picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus if you prefer to avoid DEET
• Apply repellent to clothing and the backs of hands rather than your face
• Keep a fan running on warm evenings — the moving air alone will keep most biters away
• Avoid sweet perfumes, scented lotions and floral shampoo before sitting out

It also helps to time your reading. Midges are most active in the hour around dawn and dusk, so a late-afternoon session is usually far more peaceful than one that stretches into twilight.

Make the Space a Pleasure to Use

Comfort and calm do a lot of the work here. A tidy, uncluttered corner dries out faster, offers fewer hiding places and feels far more inviting. Keep grass around the chair cut short, clear fallen leaves from damp corners, and store cushions in a dry box rather than leaving them out overnight.

With a little lavender by the armrest, a candle at your feet and a breeze drifting through, you can reclaim those long summer evenings. Settle in, turn the page, and let the garden get on with its own business.