Like most Americans, you may be having a BBQ this weekend with food, family, and friends. Spending time outdoors is a great way to take advantage of the warm weather summer usually offers. It’s also important to not share your celebration with pests, especially ants, flies and wasps. Nothing ruins a cookout like a wasp sting!
So, Western Exterminator has some home pest control tips to make sure you and your guests have a safe and exciting time at your BBQ. Take a look at the tips below and let us know in the comment section of our blog if these worked for you!
1. Keep food and beverages sealed
It wouldn’t be a BBQ without burgers, hot dogs, watermelon, chips and other sweets served at your party. Unfortunately, people aren’t the only ones who love these foods. Insects such as ants and flies love snacking on these foods too.
To prevent food-borne illnesses, we recommend placing food in trays or dishes and then wrapping them in plastic or aluminum foil. It’s also recommended to keep beverage bottles sealed when not in use. Or, you can serve food inside and have your guests eat outside!
2. Remove standing water
To avoid pesky mosquito bites, make sure standing water is removed from the outdoor eating and socializing areas. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, therefore by removing these breeding areas, you greatly reduce the mosquito population in your yard. This includes emptying bird baths, kiddie pools and flower pots.
3. Empty trash often
Understandably, you’ll want to enjoy the day with guests but don’t forget to take out the trash! Letting trash pile up will let bugs creep into BBQ. You’ll also want to keep trash on the perimeter of your party with trash lids.
4. Plant herbs like, lavender, peppermint or basil.
If you’re looking for a natural way to keep pests away, try planting these herbs in your garden!
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Lavender – mosquitoes, moths and fleas and flies
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Basil – flies, mosquitoes
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Peppermint – mosquitoes, mice, spiders, flies, ants
5. Consider Planning a Daytime BBQ
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, so consider planning an outdoor celebration during the day to avoid mosquito bites. If you’re party lingers on to the night, bring out the citronella candles and mosquito spray with DEET.
There are also beneficial garden pests like ladybugs, bees and praying mantis that can protect your yard from harmful insects and reduce the likelihood of damaging pest infestations.
Professional Home Pest Control
When DIY pest control doesn’t work, contact Western Exterminator for professional, effective pest control. Call (888) 444-6138 or fill out our online contact form. And ask us about PestFree365+, our year round pest control plan which protects your home from the 36 most common household pests.
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