Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF
President at Go Green Pest Control Corp.
August 9, 2024
BBQs and pests can definitely be a troublesome combo! Here are a few tips to help you keep those unwanted guests at bay:
- Clean Up Thoroughly: After cooking, make sure to clean up any spills and crumbs immediately. Pests are attracted to food residue, so keeping your BBQ area spotless is key.
- Secure Trash: Keep trash cans tightly sealed and dispose of waste promptly. If you’re using a trash bin, consider one with a lid that closes securely.
- Use Repellents: Natural repellents like citronella candles, essential oils (e.g., eucalyptus, lavender), or even a bowl of soapy water can help deter mosquitoes and flies.
- Avoid Sweet Smells: Sweet and sugary foods can attract insects, so be mindful of what you’re cooking and how you store it.
- Cover Food: Keep food covered until it’s ready to be served. This helps prevent pests from getting a taste of your delicious BBQ.
- Create Barriers: If possible, set up physical barriers like screens or netting to keep pests away from your food.
- Inspect for Nests: Before starting your BBQ, check for any nests or hives nearby and take appropriate measures to handle them safely.
Wasps can be a real nuisance during BBQs. Here’s how to manage them and keep your outdoor feast pleasant:
- Avoid Sweet Foods and Drinks: Wasps are particularly attracted to sugary foods and beverages. Try to keep sugary items covered and avoid leaving them out.
- Use Wasp Traps: Commercial wasp traps or DIY traps made from a soda bottle with a sugary liquid can help lure wasps away from your BBQ area. Place them away from your eating area to draw the wasps away.
- Keep Food Covered: When not serving, cover your food with lids or wraps to minimize the chances of attracting wasps.
- Clean Up Spills Promptly: Any spilled food or drinks should be cleaned up immediately to avoid attracting wasps.
- Seal Trash: Ensure trash cans are tightly sealed to prevent wasps from being attracted to food scraps.
- Use Wasps’ Predators: Some natural predators, like certain species of birds or hornets, can help keep wasp populations in check. Encouraging these predators might help control wasp numbers around your BBQ.
- Be Cautious with Perfumes and Scents: Strong scents, including perfumes and scented lotions, can attract wasps. Opt for unscented products if you know wasps are a concern.
- Handle Wasp Nests Safely: If you spot a wasp nest near your BBQ area, avoid disturbing it. Contact a professional pest control service to handle it safely.
- Wasp Repellents: Some people use natural repellents like peppermint oil or vinegar solutions to keep wasps at bay. Spray these around your BBQ area to deter them.
Mosquitoes can definitely put a damper on a BBQ. Here are some strategies to help keep them away:
- Use Mosquito Repellents: Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin. Look for products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus for effective protection.
- Set Up Mosquito Traps: Use mosquito traps or zappers around your BBQ area to help reduce the mosquito population.
- Use Citronella: Citronella candles or torches can help deter mosquitoes. They work by masking the scents that attract mosquitoes and providing a barrier around your BBQ area.
- Avoid Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Check your outdoor area for any sources of stagnant water, like puddles or flowerpot saucers, and eliminate them.
- Install Mosquito Netting: If you have a larger outdoor area or a tent, installing mosquito netting can create a barrier between you and the mosquitoes.
- Use Fans: Mosquitoes are weak fliers. Setting up fans can create a breeze that makes it more difficult for them to land on you.
- Wear Appropriate Clothing: Long sleeves and pants can help reduce mosquito bites. Light-colored clothing is also less attractive to mosquitoes.
- Plant Mosquito-Repellent Plants: Plants like lavender, marigolds, and basil are known to repel mosquitoes. Consider planting these around your BBQ area.
- Keep Your Yard Tidy: Overgrown vegetation can provide resting places for mosquitoes. Keep your yard well-maintained to reduce potential hiding spots.
- https://insectandrodentexterminators.com/summer-bbqs-and-those-pests/
- https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/summer-bbqs-and-those-pests/
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