Are you tired of your beloved outdoor barbecues getting ruined by pests? Huddling around an open grill is great with friends and family, but not so much when insects crash the party. Follow these 7 tips to fight back against unwanted pest invasions so you can reclaim your outdoor space this fall!
Drain Standing Water
Sources of standing water provide certain insects, like mosquitoes, with an ideal location for breeding and gathering. Standing water in your backyard can quickly turn any good barbecue into a pest infestation, especially after it rains! Remove or drain any sources of standing water that you can find, including birdbaths and garden ponds.
Apply Insect Repellent
One of the best things you can do to keep bugs out of your personal space is a thorough application of insect repellent. Mosquitoes are very active at dusk and dawn so be extra careful to spray yourself if you’re manning the grill early or later in the day.
Deter Stinging Insects
Scented items are more likely to attract stinging insects, such as yellow jackets and wasps, so you are better off leaving them inside. Plus, be sure to provide all your guests with clear drinking cups. Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and colored cups give stinging insects places to hide near your gathering.
Grill Up a Solution
If you like to use charcoal for your grilling needs, then you’re in luck. The smells of burning rosemary and sage both repel pests like mosquitoes. Simply place a few sprigs directly on top of your smoldering coals – the smell will act as a natural barrier against pests. Plus, it will infuse your food with smoky flavor!
Keep Ants Away
This is another tip for charcoal lovers. Besides keeping mosquitoes away with charred herbs, you can also take a piece of charcoal, crumble it up, and spread its pieces around the perimeter of your outdoor space. Ants won’t cross the charcoal path, and therefore can’t get to your BBQ.
Clean Quickly
It doesn’t take long for pests to find a source of food. This is especially true of BBQs, in which food is often left exposed before, during, and after it’s cooked. When food is not in use, keep it sealed in airtight containers. Also, be sure to clean up any trash, crumbs, and spills as soon as they happen.
DIY Light Protection
Pests love to gather around lights. Homeowners can buy citronella candles at stores, which repel insects when lit. However, you can achieve the same effect with some things you likely have around the home! Seep a few cloves of garlic in hot water for 15 minutes, then put the mixture into a spray bottle and squirt any outdoor light bulbs you have once every few days. When they are turned on and heat up, they will emit a faint odor of garlic that repels bugs.
Are pest infestations ruining your outdoor barbecues this fall? Don’t worry – it happens to us all! Sometimes, tips like these aren’t enough to keep every outdoor gathering completely pest- free. When that’s the case, rely on Palm Coast pest services to keep your backyard safe for grilling and entertaining.