Yurts are beloved by minimalist enthusiasts for their low cost and simple structure. If you’re looking to create your own outdoor Garden of Eden, a yurt is undoubtedly the best choice.
However, pests are a common issue for all outdoor living spaces.
If you’re planning to live in a yurt or about to move into one, you may want to know if this unique living arrangement can keep pests out.
The answer is not a straightforward yes or no, as it depends on the precautions you take and the pests in question.
In this article, we will explore whether yurts can keep pests out, and if not, what you can do to keep your yurt pest-free.
Why Do Pests Go Into the Yurts？
Living outside exposes you to various types of pests. These pests differ in varieties but the most common ones are listed below.
• Mosquitoes
• Flies
• Bees
• Spiders
• Ants
• Mouse
Even large carnivores such as bears, wolves, etc.
At first, one of the main reasons pests may come into your yurt is because of food. If you store food inside your yurt, pests such as rodents, ants, and cockroaches might be attracted to it. They can smell food from a distance. Once they find it, they will do whatever they can to get to it.
Pests might come to your yurt because of water. Pests like water and will come to your yurt if they find any water source in it. For instance, if there is a leaky faucet or a water container that is not properly sealed, pests will be attracted to the water.
Lastly, pests may be drawn to your yurt because it offers shelter. Yurts are warm and comfortable and make for a great hiding place for pests. Rodents, in particular, may be attracted to your yurt because it provides a safe place to build a home and breed.
How Do Pests Enter the Yurt？
A yurt is generally composed of fabric walls and a roof.
To make yurts easy to disassemble, the yurt will not be tightly sealed for the gaps during construction.
This allows pests to pass through Any holes or gaps in the yurt’s fabric walls or roof into the yurts.
The loopholes are inevitable, they can be expanded by wear and tear, damage from weather, or poor construction.
Yurts usually have a door and one or more windows, which are used for ventilation. However, these openings can also allow pests to enter the yurt without screened.
The last way to enter the yurt is the floor. If the foundation is not well reinforced before the yurt is built, it is easy for rodents who are good at burrowing.
Preventive Measures to Prevent Pests From Entering the Yurt
While yurts may seem prone to pests, there are precautions we can take to prevent infestations in our yurts.
Choose a Location Away From Stagnant Water
If you build a yurt near a water source, it can bring a lot of convenience to outdoor life. Pests can easily breed and multiply near water sources, especially stagnant water.
In the summer, it’s harder to keep mosquitoes away because they have babies during that time.
Seal Any Gaps or Cracks
One of the easiest ways for pests to enter your yurt is through gaps or cracks. To prevent this, make sure to seal any openings with caulking or weatherstripping. This includes gaps around windows, doors, and vents.
Keep Inside of The Yurt Clean
Pests like to hang out around food and trash, so make sure to keep your place clean and take out the garbage. You need to develop good living cleaning habits.
Store food scraps in airtight containers and dispose of them regularly.
Planting Pest-Repelling Plants
Some plants, like lavender, mint, spearmint, peppermint, and marigolds, or any plant from the mint family, can repel pests naturally. Although we enjoy their fresh scent, bugs don’t like it. Plant them around your yurt’s perimeter to create a natural barrier against pests. You can also make a natural pest-repellent spray using essential oils from these plants.
Store Firewood Away from Yurts
If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace in your yurt, keep the firewood away from the yurt. pests like termites and ants really like wood, and they can get into your yurt easily if the firewood is stored too close.
Keep Doors and Windows Closed Or Install Nettings
If you leave your doors and windows open when you go out, pests may come in and have a party in your home while you’re away. You have to make a habit of closing your doors and windows conscious. To prevent this, you can install mesh on your doors and windows. This will allow ventilation while keeping most pests out. Although installing the mesh may take some time and effort, it’s worth it to solve the problem of mosquitoes entering your home at night once and for all.
Tips About Cleaning Out the Pests in the Yurt
If you find that your yurt has been overrun with pests, you need to take steps to get these uninvited guests out.
Drive Away With A Fire
All pests hate smoke. Smoke can be an effective way to repel pests. If you light a campfire and close the doors and windows of your yurt, the smoke produced can drive pests away.
You can also add natural repellent plants, such as sage, to your campfire.
The dried leaves release a strong smell, allowing pests to escape from the yurt
Homemade Natural Pesticide Spray
Remember the planting of insect-repelling plants mentioned before?
Cut off the leaves of the repellent plants, lavender, mint, spearmint, peppermint, whatever.
Crush a handful of your chosen plants in a bowl.
Then pour hot water over the crushed plants and let the mixture steep for several hours.
After Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, add alcohol or vinegar to mix.
Finally, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use as needed.
This natural insect repellent spray is safe and effective, and it smells great too!
Traditional Chemical Mosquito Sprays
While there is some controversy surrounding the use of this, there is no doubt that it is effective.
Traditional insect repellent sprays contain DEET. The higher the content, the more effective the repellent effect will be.
Call in a Professional
If you’ve tried all the above methods and still can’t get rid of bugs in your yurt, it’s best to get help from a professional. They can help identify the source of the problem and provide effective solutions to eliminate pests from your yurt.
What Dangers Lurk When Pests Invade Your Yurt?
Pests can be a nuisance when they enter your yurt. They can cause damage to the structure of the yurt, your belongings, and even your health.
Pests such as rodents and termites can cause significant damage to the structure of your yurt. Rodents can chew through wood and insulation, while termites can eat away at the wooden frame. This can weaken the structure of your yurt, making it less safe and less comfortable to live in.
Pests can also cause damage to your belongings. For example, rodents can chew through clothing, bedding, and upholstery, while insects can eat away at fabrics and paper. This can result in costly repairs or replacements.
Pests can even pose health risks to you and your family. Rodents and insects can carry diseases and bacteria that can make you sick. Their droppings and urine can cause respiratory problems and allergies.
Final Thoughts
Remember, pest-proofing is a journey, not a destination.
As we’ve explored in this blog post, the unique design and materials used in yurts serve as a natural barrier against unwanted intruders, but no dwelling is truly impregnable, and smaller pests, from curious mice to persistent insects, can find their way in.
Share your yurt wisdom, swap DIY tips, and celebrate your pest-free victories (big or small) in the comments below!
