Hello friends, I’m stick chasing, and Frisbee flipping happy to be back with you again for this week’s edition of my blog, What’s Buggin’ You? I recently wrote this article for my column, Hunter’s Backyard, in our August ‘12 newsletter, The Loyal News. Not everyone who visits our website to read my blog is on our newsletter mailing list. Because of this, I decided to post this article on our newly designed website as a blog. You can now sign up for our monthly newsletter on our new website Homepage. I hope you enjoy this blog and learn a little bit from it.
My topic here is backyard BBQ’s and how to ward off uninvited guests. I’m not speaking about the Uncle Harrys’ who crash your cookout and eat all the food. No, I’m speaking of an uninvited guest list that includes ants, flies, mosquitoes and other stinging insects that are very capable of disrupting your outdoor festivities. I’m going to make a few suggestions that may help prevent pests from putting a damper on your summer fun.
There is nothing more bothersome than trying to enjoy your BBQ fare while a buzzing bug is flying around your food. Personally, I jaw snap, or paw slap, to keep the intruders out of my bowl of delicious dog food. I have observed the Lupini family over the years hosting many outdoor BBQ’s. If you practice these tips, they may help in keeping the little Uncle Harrys’ from ruining your summer gathering:
- Prior to the party, check screen doors and repair any holes.
- Remove sources of standing water in your yard, including birdbaths, wading pools or garden ponds.
- Have insect repellant containing an EPA-registered active ingredient like DEET or Picaridin available for you and your guests.
- Adorn your deck or patio with citronella candles that can help minimize the presence of mosquitoes.
- With guests coming in and out of your house, make sure the doors close behind them.
- Plan to serve food and beverages indoors and reserve outdoor space for eating and entertaining.
- Keep food sealed in containers whenever possible, and wipe tabletops frequently.
- Clean trash, spills, and crumbs immediately from tables and other surfaces.
- Bring utensils and dishware indoors shortly after the meal.
- Rinse all beverage bottles and cans, and dispose of them in tightly closed garbage containers.
If pests become intolerable, you may have a larger problem and a need for professional assistance. Sometimes pest pressure can get out of hand; for example, you notice large mounds of ants or stinging insect nests around the property; you’ll want to contact a professional to help safely remove the infestations as they can be a threat to your safety.
Remember the movie “Ghostbusters”? Well; Who you gonna’ call? Call Loyal!! One more time; Who you gonna’ call? Call Loyal!! I really love that song. Remember it!
Thank you for joining me this week, and please contact us if you have ANY questions about this article or pest control in general. Until next time, this is Hunter, Loyal’s K-9 Termite Detective, asking What’s Buggin’ You?
Backyard BBQ – Ward off Uninvited Guests in Virginia
Serving the Henrico and Richmond VA area since 1960