Nobody wants to bring a bunch of guests into their backyard if they haven’t tidied it up in the last few weeks. Tall grass can be pretty itchy, and long branches get in the way of people who are trying to walk around. As long as you make sure to cut the grass and trim the trees and bushes a few days before the party, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Even though having a clean yard is essential, the most vital part of tidying up your yard involves taking care of the patio, especially if it’s a paver-based one. Since this is where most people will be spending their time eating and chatting with others, you’ll want it to be spotless. If you give yourself enough time before the big day, there are plenty of patio paver maintenance tips that will have it looking like new. Don’t forget to clean off the furniture and grill as well.

Since it’s starting to get dark earlier in the day, mosquitoes are starting to come out a bit sooner than they normally would in the summer. That means you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of mosquito prevention options available. If you want to try out natural options, you can throw some sage into your bonfire or grill once you’ve finished cooking. If you plan far enough ahead, planting lavender or marigolds can also ward off those annoying insects. Of course, when a quick and simple solution is needed, a few cans of bug spray will do the trick. If you live far enough north, you might not have to worry about these little pests anymore. However, they can be resilient at times, so it’s usually better to be safe than sorry.

Between the grill, a late-night bonfire, and dead leaves and grass all over the ground there will be a ton of opportunities for something or someone to catch on fire. If there’s one thing that you have ready in your backyard for a late-fall party, let it be a fire extinguisher. Obviously, the best course of action is to take every precaution necessary to ensure that nothing breaks out into flames in the first place but having a backup plan is a must.