The 4th of July is fast approaching, which means many of us will be celebrating with family and friends, attending parades, fireworks, and barbecues. In New England, we've come to accept that outdoor activities often come with unwelcome guests of the crawling, stinging, and flying variety - but there are ways to let these pests know your event is invitation-only. Here are the top 4 Massachusetts pests likely to crash your 4th of July celebration, and some tips for preventing them.
Ants. Already on the hunt for protein and carbohydrates from blooming plants, ants may be drawn to your cookout by the allure of food scraps and sweet beverages.
Mosquitoes. These potentially dangerous nuisances could be breeding on your property already, and a 4th of July celebration with lots of people in attendance is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for hungry mosquitoes.
Stinging insects. The sweet aromas of food and drink are bound to lure bees to your barbecue - especially if you have flowering plants on your property.
Flies. Generally, flies are looking for one of two things: decaying organic matter or sugary substances. While we tend to think of flies as little more than an annoyance, the fact is that flies tend to frequent some pretty nasty places and can spread disease to humans by landing on food.
So what can you do to stop these pests from bugging you this holiday?
- Keep things clean and covered. Periodically wipe down cooking, serving, and eating areas; keep food and beverage covered when possible; ensure that garbage and recycling bins close properly.
- Stay away from flowering plants. Avoid serving or eating food near flowering plants to decrease ant invasions and run-ins with stinging insects.
- Freshen up the water. Reduce standing water by emptying wheelbarrows, gardening tools, tire swings, and other items that collect water. Water in pet dishes, wading pools, bird baths and other sources should be changed regularly.
- Tidy the yard. Minimize leaf litter and yard debris to reduce harborage and breeding areas for mosquitoes, ticks, rodents, and other pests.
- Let the light in. Keep grass, shrubbery, and trees trimmed to allow natural light. Most pests prefer dark, shady, damp areas.
- Use repellent. Use EPA-approved repellents to protect against mosquito and tick bites.
If you're having trouble breaking free from pest problems this Independence Day (or anytime during the year), the Burgess Pest team has your back - and an estimate is always free.
