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A screened porch should be a relaxing retreat, not a place where you’re constantly swatting at flies or mosquitoes. If bugs are still sneaking into your space, you’re not alone. Many Georgia homeowners struggle to keep bugs out of their screened porches, especially during the warmer months when pests are most active.
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to seal up your space and enjoy a truly bug-free porch. Whether you’re maintaining an existing screened-in area or considering having a new one professionally built, here’s how to ensure insects stay outside where they belong.
Common Reasons Bugs Still Get Into a Screen Porch
Certain conditions can allow insects to slip in even with a screened-in porch. Understanding the weak points in your current setup can help you decide whether a simple fix or a complete upgrade is the best solution.
Gaps in door frames or structural joints may be large enough for small insects to enter.
Torn, sagging, or poorly fitted screens lose their tight seal over time.
Low-quality screen material may stretch, rip, or separate from the frame.
Poor door hardware may allow doors to stay slightly open, especially in humid conditions.
Large mesh openings may block mosquitoes but fail to stop smaller bugs like gnats and no-see-ums.
If your goal is to keep bugs out of your screen porch, it’s essential to address each of these factors through proper materials, design, and installation.
Ways to Keep Bugs Out of Your Screened Porch
Small upgrades can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your screen porch insect-free. From tighter screens to smarter lighting, here are proven ways to prevent pests from getting in.
Use Tight Weave Screening
Not all screen mesh is created equal. Standard screen mesh sizes are often 18×14 or 18×16, which are fine for larger insects. But if you’re dealing with no-see-ums, gnats, or tiny flying pests, opt for a tighter mesh like 20×20 or finer. The smaller holes keep bugs out while still allowing airflow and visibility. Phifer makes screens specifically to keep smaller bugs out.
Choose Durable Screen Materials Like Phifer Insect Screen
Thin aluminum or fiberglass screens can stretch, tear, or pull away from the frame, especially after just a few seasons in Georgia’s humidity. High-quality screens like Phifer’s Solar Insect, BetterVue®, or PetScreen® provide excellent visibility while resisting wear, sagging, and impact. If your current screens look worn or loose, they could give bugs an easy entry point.
Seal Gaps Around Doors and Framing
Even with a perfect screen mesh, bugs can find their way in through small gaps along the porch frame, baseboards, or door trim. Professional installation ensures a tight seal at every connection point, especially around corners, door thresholds, and joints where insects often find hidden access.
Install a Screen Door with Automatic Closure
One of the most common ways bugs get in? The screen door gets left open, or doesn’t close all the way. Installing a self-closing screen door with strong magnetic or spring hinges ensures that the door shuts fully behind you every time. This simple upgrade prevents bugs from sneaking in unnoticed.
Screen the Underside of the Porch (If Elevated)
If your porch is built above ground level with visible decking slats, insects can enter through the floorboards from underneath. A professional installer can apply screening material beneath the porch to stop bugs from crawling into the space.
Reduce Porch Lighting or Switch to Bug-Resistant Bulbs
Bugs are drawn to light. Even if your porch is well-sealed, a bright porch light may attract bugs to hang around the door and look for any available gap. Consider using yellow-toned bug lights or positioning lights away from doorways and seating areas.
Use Bug-Repelling Candles for Added Protection
For a natural and straightforward bug deterrent, citronella candles and essential oil-based outdoor candles can help repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. While they won’t seal your porch, they create a scent barrier that makes your space less attractive to pests. Use them alongside other preventative measures to enhance your bug-free porch experience, especially during evenings.
Why Professional Installation Makes All the Difference
DIY screen installations or outdated setups often fall short of complete bug protection. Gaps in framing, poorly stretched screen material, or low-quality mesh can create hidden weaknesses that pests quickly find.
At AAA Screen & Window, we know how to design and install screen porches that keep bugs out, even in Georgia’s most insect-heavy seasons. We custom-measure every frame, use high-performance Phifer screening materials, and tightly seal doors and seams. Whether you want to upgrade an existing porch or have a new one professionally built, we can help you create a space for comfort, not critters.
Get a Bug-Free Screen Porch in Georgia
You shouldn’t have to share your porch with mosquitoes and gnats. Whether you’re dealing with torn screens, poorly sealed doors, or need a better solution for Georgia’s warm climate, we’re here to help. AAA Screen & Window has been helping Metro Atlanta homeowners keep bugs out of their screen porch since 1959, and we’d love to do the same for you.
FAQ About Why Bugs Are Getting Into Your Screened Porch
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Even with screens, bugs can get in through small gaps around doors, framing, or baseboards. Damaged or loose screen material, poor-quality mesh, or improper installation are also common reasons pests find their way inside.
Yes. Standard mesh (like 18×14) may block larger insects, but smaller bugs—like gnats or no-see-ums—can slip through. A tighter mesh weave, such as 20×20, is better for keeping small insects out.
Possibly. If your screen door doesn’t close tightly or stays open too long, bugs can easily sneak inside. Installing a self-closing mechanism and checking for gaps can help prevent this.
Yes. Porch lighting, especially bright white or blue-toned bulbs, attracts insects. Consider switching to yellow bug-resistant bulbs or using indirect lighting to minimize the issue.
Yes, especially if your porch is elevated and has decking with gaps between boards. Bugs can enter from underneath unless the floor is screened from below.
Use tight weave screening, seal all structural gaps, ensure the door closes properly, and consider screening underneath the porch if it’s raised. For best results, work with a professional screen porch installer who can seal every potential entry point.