--- title: Tips for a Bug-Free Barbecue description: Planning your 4th of July event? Here's how to keep Massachusetts summer pests from crashing your cookout. image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/ANTS/ANTS%20ON%20CUPCAKE.jpeg --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # Tips for a Bug-Free Barbecue By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Jun 30, 2021 10:00:00 AM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/diy-cookout-pest-control-tips-massachusetts#comments-listing) Many of us are planning our 4th of July activities, and the holiday weekend is expected to come with a heat wave. Heat, humidity, more time spent outdoors, and food and drink abound make perfect conditions for a number of pests to invite themselves to your event, but the[Burgess Pest](https://www.burgesspest.com/)team has you covered: We're serving up tips for keeping your barbecue bug-free. ![Barbecue Pest Control Tips Massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ANTS/ANTS%20ON%20CUPCAKE.jpeg?width=406&name=ANTS%20ON%20CUPCAKE.jpeg)Keep things clean. No one expects a cookout to be squeaky clean, but occasionally taking on light tasks such as wiping down serving, eating and cooking areas and disposing of trash can help to keep nosy [ants](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/)and [bees](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/)away. Steer clear of flowering plants. If possible, avoid serving or eating food near [flowering plants](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/the-ants-are-marching-in-may-massachusetts). Ants and stinging insects are often attracted to these areas. Refresh or reduce water sources. Reduce standing [water](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/mosquito-control-tips-infographic)by emptying gardening tools, wheelbarrows, tire swings, and other receptacles. Water in pet dishes, wading pools, bird baths and other areas should be changed regularly. Cover it up. Ensure that garbage cans and recycling bins close properly. Keep food and beverages covered when possible. Tidy the yard. Minimize leaf litter and yard debris to reduce harborage areas for[ticks, mosquitoes](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control-2/), rodents and other pests. Let the sun in. Keep shrubbery and trees trimmed to allow natural light - most pests prefer shady areas. Protect yourself.  To reduce risk of bee stings, avoid bright colored and loose-fitting clothing. Use EPA-approved tick and mosquito repellent.   With a little planning, you can declare independence from common picnic pests this holiday. For added reassurance, call the experts at Burgess Pest - from annoying ants to whining mosquitoes, buzzing bees and more, we're here to[Protect Your Pad](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) (and you won't even have to feed us). Click below to request a free estimate, and click [here](https://info.burgesspest.com/2021-summer-massachusetts-pest-guide)to download our free Summer Pest Guide for even more tips and information.   [![Pad Protection, Please!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/fce20908-c01e-47e7-a20d-040bcf40014e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/fce20908-c01e-47e7-a20d-040bcf40014e) Topics: [Cape Cod Pest Control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/cape-cod-pest-control), [pest control massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-control-massachusetts), [pest control south shore](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-control-south-shore), [do it yourself pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/do-it-yourself-pest-control), [massachusetts pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-pest-control), [south shore pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-pest-control-tips), [pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-control-tips), [south shore pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-pest-control), [Boston pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/boston-pest-control), [pest prevention tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-prevention-tips), [do it yourself pest control in massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/do-it-yourself-pest-control-in-massachusetts), [summer pests](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/summer-pests)  Thanks for visiting today! ### Have a Pest Problem?   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1) ### Get the latest in your inbox ### Recent Posts ##### Residential Pest Control - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Massachusetts Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) ##### COMPANY - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ##### Contact Us [508-587-4309](tel:508-587-4309) [email](mailto:info@burgesspest.com) - - - - ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG: © 2022 Burgess Pest Management. 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