Summer is all about relaxing, enjoying the sun and gathering with family and friends. During those sunny days, we love to go camping, sunbathe on the beach or enjoy a party at home. Of course, when it comes to hosting a summer BBQ party, the last thing we want to worry about is unwanted pests ruining the fun. From flies and wasps to mosquitoes and ants, there are a variety of pests that can be attracted to the delicious smells of party food. But with little preparation and some simple preventative measures, we can keep these pests at bay and enjoy our summer gathering in peace.
Common Pests That Can Gatecrash Your Party
Flies
One of the most common pests that can ruin a BBQ party, is flies. You might think that the smoke would repel them, but no. Actually, the smoke, along with the smell, is what attracts them to the BBQ. Having flies all over your food is not only unhygienic and irritating, but they can also quickly spoil your food and spread disease by carrying pathogens on their feet. To ensure flies are away during your BBQ party, keep all food covered, clean up any spilt drinks quickly, and keep your garbage cans tightly sealed. Additionally, consider using a fly zapper or trap to attract and kill them.
Wasps
Wasps can be another huge problem at a BBQ party. They can be aggressive and can cause allergic reactions in some people if they sting them. Being attracted to sugars and protein, wasps are strongly allured to the cuisine you are grilling on your BBQ. To keep them away, you need to ensure that sweet foods, meat and drinks are covered all the time. Consider using a DIY sticky trap or putting a few foods that repel them. Food with acidic properties, like lemon, cucumber and garlic work as a deterrent to wasps. A Waspinator is a special bag that can also be useful, as it fools the wasps into thinking it’s a nest, causing them to stay away. However, if you are having a wasp nest in your garden you need to call a professional pest control company to deal with the matter.
Mosquitos
Mosquitoes can also be a nuisance at summer gatherings. We all hate finding their bites on our bodies, as they are itchy and sometimes painful. Not only mosquitos are one of the most common pests in the summer, but these blood lovers are also attracted to the CO2 that a group of people in one place can produce via their breath. Reducing their number in your garden might be hard but not impossible. Be sure to remove any standing water, as this is where they love to breed. Consider planting certain types of plants that act as a repellent, such as lavender, basil, geraniums, marigolds, catnip and citronella. Using a UV light trap can also be a great solution during the gathering.
Ants
Ants are another problem at outdoor parties. These foraging animals are unmatched in searching for food. They scout the area around their nest for any type of food and leave a pheromone trail to lead the others once they do. If you see a trail leading to your grill you can be sure that they sensed even the little crumbs and pieces of meat on the BBQ. To keep ants away, try to locate and eliminate their nest, if possible, by pouring boiling water mixed with vinegar down the hole. Another helpful trick is to keep your BBQ clean at all times, especially before and after grilling. If you have multiple ant nests, it may be best to call in a pest control expert for a consultation and a more permanent solution.
Helpful tips to keep pests at bay
Unfortunately, you cannot spray it with a pesticide or any type of pest control solution when it comes to pest-proofing your BBQ. However, many usual home chores are the method that will help you against any pests during a BBQ afternoon.
Clean it
Such helpful tasks are keeping the area around your BBQ clean and tidy. A thorough cleaning will remove any trace of food on your BBQ that might attract ants, flies or even mice.
All you need to do is make sure there are no food scraps left and all the build-up grease is removed. Use the bbq scraper tool to effortlessly clean and maintain your grill, ensuring a pristine cooking surface for each barbecue session. It is also crucial to store foods and drinks properly, because of the same reason.
Placing a lid on it is another great way to help you with any possible infestations. Lids are a great future that not only keeps your BBQ safe from pests but also the elements and will help you keep it clean for longer.
Natural methods
Some other helpful ways against pests are natural and non-toxic pest controllers. While some smells are attractive to them, some are extremely repelling. Planting or placing a vase of flowers or plants like lavender, basil, marigold, geraniums, bay leaves or catnip will undoubtedly show most insects and bugs that they are not welcome.
However, if this is not enough, you can always try some DIY pest control methods. Sticky traps with vinegar and sugar have always been helpful. You can place the mixture at the bottom of an empty plastic bottle and add a little bit of dish soap. In addition to this, you can also place a bowl of 50% water and 50% bleach near the BBQ and the gathering area. The smell is highly disturbing to flies, wasps and others.
Guests can help
During a summer BBQ party, you are not the only one who does not enjoy the bites of mosquitos and flies. You can always ask your guests to help you with pest-proofing. For example, you can all avoid wearing bright clothes. Despite them being perfect for the hot summer weather, these fabrics are attractive to wasps, mosquitos and some bugs.
Additionally, you can all place citronella candles around the gathering place and the BBQ. Make sure to leave a note for your guests to keep an eye on them so no small fires begin and if one burns out to light another.
To make yourself an even better host, you can provide a small repellent spray to every guest. That way, you can be sure that no bites will take place at your party and everyone will be able to enjoy their time.
Pest inspection
One other thing to consider before hosting a summer BBQ party is a pest inspection. Such inspection will help you identify potential pest issues and address them before they become a problem. During your party, it is a good idea to check for any potential nesting sites, such as tall grass, piles of debris, abandoned structures or the BBQ itself as many pests like wasps and mice can be found there. Of course, if you encounter a pest nest, it is advised to seek the help of specialists.
Conclusion
Overall, with a little preparation, attention to detail and some preventative measures you can be sure that your summer BBQ party is enjoyable and pest-free. By following some of these simple tips, your BBQ will be clean, your guests will be happy, and even your garden will have some new additions. So go ahead and enjoy the sunshine, the good food and the company of your loved ones without worrying about unwanted guests.