Memorial Day Barbecue Pest Defense
Oh Memorial Day, the day we all honor those who have fallen for our country with barbecues and family time all around. However, in the midst of this traditional American holiday, some pests may want to try to spoil it for you. Despite their best intentions, you can easily keep them at bay with a few tricks. Join us today as we go over what they are!
Before the barbecue
Before you even start to think about pest defense, take a quick look at your yard. Pests generally spur from things that are in your yard, so make the most of your time and clear up your yard before the big day. Get rid of any standing water, as they serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. If you have brush or dead tree limbs around your grilling/patio, be sure to remove those as well, since spiders and other creepy crawlies can take up shelter there, waiting to pounce on an innocent guest.
Next, when planning for the party, skip over the fruit or flower-scented candles, since these will attract bees and other stinging fliers. Instead, opt for one that had citronella. This is a natural repellent against mosquitoes, and can double as an air freshener. You get the best of both worlds in one candle!
During the barbecue
Make it your best effort to clean up spills and mishaps as soon as they happen. If there is one thing that pests absolutely love, it is food. Pick up food that dropped— or at least let Fido have it—and clean up any spills, especially with sugary drinks. There is nothing a fly loves more in this world than a sugary drink, so do your part to make sure everything is cleaned.
If you plan to eat inside, be sure that your doors are shut and your screens are in great condition. Throwing open the windows is a great way to get into the spring spirit, but it can bring pests all around right to you. Having a good screen is the best defense you can have.
After the party
It may sound redundant, but CLEAN. Once guests leave, make it a priority to put all the food inside, and take out the trash. Leaving trash outside is a great way to attract pests of all sorts, from ants to squirrels, so take a few minutes and save yourself a headache. This simple step is crucial to maintaining a pest-free property, and is one that should be taken seriously.
These tips should be enough to get you by, but just know that we are here to offer more advice. Give us a call for a few more tips, or for us to come out and make sure that your barbecue stays pest-free.
