Before you go buggy Try these allies in your war against insects

The joys of summer are incredible here in the suburbs. We can lounge on our porches, decks or balconies and host parties in our backyards.

We even cook outdoors and marvel that it's daylight well into the evening.

But there is a fly in the ointment. Or maybe it's a mosquito or ant. Insects love this weather, too. Some are pesky but others carry disease and must be taken seriously.

We went looking for ways to combat these tiny killjoys.

While I personally credit citronella torches with preventing my guests from turning into lunch, generally folks say they don't work very well.

Those lights that draw mosquitoes and then kill them with a noisy zap have been discredited, and experts say many of the expensive newfangled tools don't work. Or if they involve poison, work too well and kill every bug in your yard. That's not good when we're trying to help bees and butterflies survive.

One low-tech device that gets praise for chasing away mosquitoes is the breeze from a fan, which seems like it would be most effective for a few people sitting around talking or reading.

Mosquito Dunks, available at home centers, contain bacteria that kill larvae in your pond or birdbaths while not harming fish or other wildlife.

Sticky traps for indoor insects such as flying beetles that are annoying in the fall and aphids that nibble on your houseplants are available from www.gardensalive.com.

Sani-Moat Ant Barriers hold your pets' food bowl, and you keep ants away from the food by putting dishwashing liquid or other non-toxic barrier in the moat. They could also work with food stored in your pantry, the company says. They come in two sizes starting at $10. Visit www.sani-moat.com or a PETCO store.

Here are a few other ways to do battle.

Mosquito curtains. These are a charming method of screening your porch or deck. They can be pulled back like drapes so you don't have to look through screens all the time.

The curtains can be 12 feet tall and as long as you need them. The company says a typical home requires material 10 by 40 feet. That costs $390, and the optional tracking system is about $4 per foot. If you don't choose a track, you can use Velcro.

Mosquito curtains are polyester, machine washable and come in white, ivory or black. They are custom made for your porch, gazebo or under your deck.

For an open deck you need to put up some kind of awning or roof or make a frame. Visit www.mosquitocurtains.com.

Patio Lantern. This is a ThermaCELL, the same technology as the small repeller that Jan Riggenbach writes about in her column today. This version gives off light as well as allethrin, which is an artificial version of a chemical found in chrysanthemums. The insecticide is powered by butane, the ambient light by two AA batteries. Like the smaller unit, it repels mosquitoes in an area 15 by 15 feet. You can use either the light or the repellent separately. The lantern costs $30 from www.mosquitorepellent.com, (866) 753-3837 or several local stores.

Nets. Rectangular nets with weighted edges to keep them from blowing away can be tossed over food or a whole table to keep flies away from your picnic. Versions that fit around umbrella poles are available.

These are made by an Australian company, which includes delivery in its price. The nets come in three sizes and start at $20. James Moore Enterprises also makes nets for doorways, portable cribs and strollers and ones attached to hats that look like beekeepers' equipment.