BBQ Bugbears

BBQ season is upon us! It’s time to dig out those tongs, your favourite apron and wait for the sun to start shining. Crack open a cold one, invite your friends and family round and get grilling! Unfortunately, the combination of good food, sticky drinks and the warmer weather means there might be a few unwanted guests at your BBQs – pests, the lot of them! Even worse, some of these pests can bite or sting and cause allergic reactions that would put a dampener on the first BBQ of the year.

Nobody wants their burger with a side order of ants, or a chicken kebab with an extra serving of flies – especially when flies like to hang around the bins – so we have put together a few handy hints and tips to ensure your BBQ is pest-free this year.

• Clear your garden of debris before organising your BBQ to ensure there are no pests lurking. Any signs of ants or rats could indicate a need for Empire Pest Control London to help get your garden back in tip top shape
• Ensure there is no standing water in your garden to prevent mosquitoes collecting
• Cinnamon is a scent that many pests do not like so if you do need candles for your BBQ, try a cinnamon scented one
• Keep food covered up when you’re not eating
• Clean up as you go to ensure there are no nasty spills or sauces left out to attract pests long after the BBQ has finished
• If you see a wasp, don’t panic. Waving your arms around will merely agitate the wasp, so do try to remain calm
• Wasps are attracted to sweet, sugary liquids so you can create a trap to keep them away from your BBQ. Cut the top of a bottle of fizzy drink off, and turn upside down with the open lid facing in towards the drink. Wasps will go down the funnel and won’t be able to get out
• Mosquitoes are most common at dawn and dusk, so avoid having a BBQ in the early or late evening. Their bites can be incredibly itchy, and for many they can be painful and tender with large swellings. Wear a repellent or make your own placing lavender, basil and citronella around your party
• If you see one ant, you know there will be plenty more nearby. If you see a lot or there appears to be a nest, you might need assistance from the local pest control service in London
• Ensure you clean up thoroughly and place all rubbish in bins to deter any rats or foxes that might be scouring the area for food sources overnight

More pest control tips for your BBQ can be found here.

If you’re planning on hosting this spring or summer, it is worth being vigilant. Know what signs to spot to ensure your home and garden stay pest free and your food without the added extras!

If you require professional help with any pest control issues, please contact us here at Empire Pest Control and we’ll do what we can to get your home and garden back to normal.