Welcome to our forum.
I like the shrubs as well, but the wife's wrried about them attracting more bugs?
Have you spoken to anyone at a local nuserary? I don't think swarming bugs when I think hedges. You might get a few, but do you think there will be enough to be a concern? I'd rather have the natural hedge, than a fence.
I was looking for a way to privacy fence 2 sides of my tub which is on a deck and ran across this:http://www.deckmateusa.com
Notice their "partner" in the lower LH corner? Regardless, it looks like a nice system. Do you know the cost? Did you install it? If so, how does it handle wind? FWIW, I have the same lawnmower and outdoor shower, but a different wife. I'm sure she has never used it, because it is hooked up to a cold faucet.