Barbecuing is one of America's favorite warm-weather pastimes. With warmer weather here, now is the perfect time to fire up the grill and get cooking!
While you should always practice fire safety, among other basic grilling safety tips, there are other safety issues to keep in mind. These are safety tips you may not normally consider, like helping keep bees, wasps and other pests away as you grill. And then there are some nuisances, like mosquitoes, that you'll want to avoid as well. One of the last things you probably want to worry about when you’re fine-tuning your famous burgers or ribeye steak is dodging bites and stings!
Here are some ways to help make sure that your grilling technique and meat tenderness are the only things you’ll have to worry about around the grill.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can be a nuisance and keep you from enjoying your backyard with your friends and family, buzzing around and causing itchy welts on some people through biting. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the mosquito population in your backyard, like:
- Getting rid of standing water
- Keeping your gutters and drains clear
- Maintaining your yard
- Enlisting the help of a professional
Wasps
Before you begin grilling, carefully inspect your grill and the surrounding area for any signs of wasps or wasp nests. Wasp nests can differ in appearance, but they’re umbrella-shaped, made of paper and are generally located in areas with some protection, like:
- In the corners of windows
- Underneath soffits
- Under porches and awnings
- Below decks
However, wasps have been known to build nests in other protected places, like in hose reels, electric outlet boxes and even inside gas grills. So when you’re grilling, keep your sauces and beverages covered to help keep wasps away.
If wasp nests are present, either outside or inside your grill, then they will need to be removed. You should contact a pest control professional for help.
Bees
Bees are drawn to floral scents and bright colors, so before you’re ready to grill, skip the fragrant shampoo and perfume and stick to un-patterned clothes in muted colors. You may also want to avoid wearing dark colors and reds, as some bees may associate these colors with their natural predators, in turn seeing you as a threat.
You can help prevent bees from joining your BBQ by cleaning up immediately after cooking and/or eating outside. If you spill any sweet drinks or sodas, mop them up immediately, as the sugar can attract bees. Also, make sure any outside trash is away from the grilling area, sealed properly and removed frequently.
If bees are around you, try to avoid being stung by not swatting at them. Instead of swatting, you should move away calmly in a straight line. However, there are some more aggressive bees who may still find you as a threat and sting you. That's why it's best to take proper measures to try to avoid attracting them in the first place.
A little planning can help you enjoy grilling with minimal pest interference. If you need help getting rid of wasps, mosquitoes or other nuisances so you can focus on grilling, contact the pest control professionals at Terminix.
