It’s Finally Here! Welcome Summer BBQs, Beach and… Bugs! Tips For a Bug-Free Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day Weekend, also known as the “unofficial start of summer,” is finally here! Break out the beach umbrellas, light the barbecue, dust off the lounge chairs – and of course, arm yourself with plenty of fly swatters and bug repellent.

There’s no need to let bugs ruin a perfectly beautiful sunny day. Simply figure out what’s out there, follow these tips, and you’ll be set!

Know Your Enemy -- Prevention is the best medicine!

Here’s the lowdown on some of the more common unwelcome guests. Mosquitoes hang out where there’s food, pools of water, and people. They are primarily annoying because their bites do itch, but there is concern about the West Nile virus, which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. Fleas are also in the category of annoying-but-not-too-harmful. They often find their home on your dog or cat, and then on to you. Ticks often find their way to you in heavily wooded areas. They can carry Lyme disease, so you need to check your body daily and remove it quickly with a pair of tweezers. (Never burn or try to yank it off by its legs. This can cause it to burrow deeper into your skin). Bees, yellow jackets, and wasps carry a sting that only causes problems for people who are allergic. For most people, the affected area may get a little red or swollen and can be somewhat painful for a short while.

Getting Rid Of Those Pesky Bugs!

The following are some steps to take so that you can enjoy being in your backyard without worrying about annoying bug bites and stings.

• Seal up any cracks and holes on the outside of your home including areas where utilities and pipes enter your home.
• Be aware of standing water. Small pools of water in your gutters and around the outside of your home can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Do not feed the birds.
• Spray down flowering plants with a garden hose before you BBQ
• Place an oscillating fan in sitting areas.
• Use low-voltage lighting.
• Avoid the mulch donut (mulch piled around a tree for landscaping purposes). It breeds fungus and attracts pest harborage.
• Don’t disturb bee or wasp nests. The professionals are trained to deal with this.

Bring in the experts!

If you’ve already been invaded, call a qualified pest management professional to treat areas, remove nests, seal entrance holes, etc. For answers to any of your pest control questions, contact us at (833)-261-9003, email sales@nopests.com or visit our website nopests.com.