How Do You Keep Bugs Away At A Party?

Summer is the season for outdoor gatherings, and now that it is in full swing, it's time to start planning that perfect backyard party. Delicious food, festive decorations, and good company are all important. So is keeping the pests away. Nothing can ruin a party faster than uninvited guests—namely, bugs. From mosquitoes to ants, pests can be a nuisance. What’s more, some of them also pose health risks. But don't worry; with careful planning and a few handy tips, you can keep your celebration bug-free.

Common summer party crashers

What sort of pests will invade your party? Here’s a quick (not necessarily comprehensive) list of common summer party crashers:

• Mosquitoes
  These pesky insects are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit diseases like the West Nile virus. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, carbon dioxide, sweat, and body heat.
• Ants
  Odorous house ants, carpenter ants, and other nuisance ants are attracted to food and can quickly become a problem if left unchecked.
• Fire ants
  Fire ants may not come looking for food, but they can disrupt a game of cornhole if one of your guests step on a fire ant mound in the lawn.
• Wasps
  These stinging insects are drawn to decaying organic matter and exposed protein sources. They might also be lured in by bright-colored clothing, perfume, and other fragrances. 

Pre-party preparations

Before your guests arrive, it is essential to tackle a few jobs. Doing the following will help you prepare your yard for human activity rather than bug activity.

Clean your yard

A clean yard is less attractive to bugs.

• Trim your grass and bushes to reduce shaded spaces where moisture is trapped. Pests love to hide in the shade and must stay hydrated during hot summer days.
• Remove any standing water in your yard because water can provide breeding sites for mosquitoes and elevate humidity, attracting other pests.
• Remove organic debris such as leaves, sticks, and plant clippings. Pests find moist, shaded hiding places and food options underneath organic debris. Decaying wood is a unique attractant as it is food for some insects and a source of building material for others.
• Remove spider webs and crush egg sacs. Doing so will directly reduce spider populations.
   

Address unique attractants

There are many things that attract pests.

• Clean and cover your trash receptacles to reduce the aromas that attract flies, ants, wasps, and other insects to your yard.
• Address weeds in your lawn and landscaping. Weeds provide nectar and plant sap, desirable food sources for many insects. 
• Keep exterior lights off to reduce insect activity and the potential for insects to establish a nest near your home. Insects are attracted to most light sources. The exception is yellow light. Insects cannot perceive it and are not attracted to it.
• Deep clean your grill to eliminate grease and food buildup that attracts insects (and rodents). Once it’s in tip-top shape, keep it that way by cleaning it after every use.

During your party

To minimize pest disruptions during your next event, we recommend implementing the following suggestions:

• Consider placing outdoor fans in key areas to deter mosquitoes naturally.
• Use covered containers to store trash and empty bins before overfilling causes covers to lift.
• Keep all food covered until it is time to serve.
• Pick up empty drink cans and bottles often.
• Set up screened-in recreation areas.

Schedule professional pest control service

Rather than scramble to squash ants on the patio or battle other pests crawling or flying around your outdoor living space before your gathering, why not sign up for pest control services that target pests in and around your property? 

Here at Getem Services, we offer year-round home pest control services that include:

• Quarterly pest control services
• Exterior pest treatments
• Interior pest treatments if there’s a pest problem inside
• Spider web removal
• Wasp nest removal (up to one story)
• Installing and maintaining exterior bait stations, if necessary

In addition to our ongoing pest solutions, we also offer seasonal mosquito control (March through the last week of September) and fire ant control for lawns and indoor fire ant infestations. Moreover, our moisture control services address damp crawl spaces that attract insects and rodents! 

If you live in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, or elsewhere in our service area, contact Getem Services for proactive solutions before your party, or get started with a home pest control service for ongoing pest management throughout the year.

Our Hampton Roads pest control company hopes these tips help you have a great and memorable summer.  For more information, contact us at any time. We're here to help!