Meet Katie and Andy! They sometimes work in tandem, sometimes go it alone to cover more ground. Ants. mice, spiders, roaches, fleas and mosquitoes are some of the most common pests that residents of the Memphis area combat. Rosie’s can help eliminate all of these and termites too! Need a free evaluation of your pest problems? Click here!
Now is the the perfect time of year for barbeques, picnics, and tailgate parties. Attracted by the smell of delicious food and drinks, uninvited pests are known to invade outdoor parties and send guests running. Before you start firing up the grill, consider taking some preventative measures to contain the summer pests in your area. We’ve gathered a list of tips that you can use to enjoy an insect-free setting for your next outdoor entertaining.
To Do Before the BBQ
Check screen doors, screen windows, and screen coverings for any holes or tears that could allow entry to unwanted insects and repair them.
Certain types of light bulbs will attract insects, so use low pressure and sodium vapor lights outdoors.
Many insects are attracted to fragrances, so avoid using sweet-scented items like candles and instead use candles that are scented to repel insects or use citronella oil in your outdoor torches.
Make sure your lawn is mowed short, your flower beds are weeded, and your shrubs are groomed to prevent snakes and a variety of insects from moving in.
Use a homemade garlic spray on plants, shrubs, flowers, and grassy areas to repel insects.
Create an ant-free zone by sprinkling a border of baby powder or corn starch around your picnic table. Ants won’t cross the line!
Remove any pet food or any fruit that has fallen from trees that might attract insects.
Thoroughly inspect for wasp nests under porches, patios, decks, eaves, grills, playground equipment, etc. and get rid of them.
Consider hiring a professional pest control company like Rosie’s Pest Control to come out and spray the area you plan to use for guests.
To Keep on Hand During the BBQ
Use covers on your food until just before it is time to eat in order to limit the smells that insects are drawn to.
If possible, use cups with lids or bottles with twist off caps so that sweet, sugary drinks aren’t left open to attracts wasps and flies. Or at least try to provide clear plastic cups for your guests to use as aluminum cans and open bottles that you can’t see through are good hiding spots for flying insects.
Keep your trash can near enough so that you can regularly dispose of trash, but also far enough away from guests as trash bins can attract flies and other bugs. Additionally, be sure to continuously clean up any trash, crumbs or spills from the area.
Use box fans to not only cool the area for your guests, but because flying bugs hate breezes.
Pour some red wine into a few cups and place them surrounding your gathering area to attract any lingering fruit flies and keep them away from the actual glasses of wine that your guests drink from.
Keep Rosie’s Pest Control’s number on hand. Rosie’s will wage war on your bugs and help keep your home and yard enjoyable. 901-567-3800
Katie Fox is a great addition to the Rosie’s team. She is fully certified and is a very hard worker! Katie grew up playing soccer, a very tough and physically demanding sport, so she is not afraid of hard work and getting her hands dirty! Katie can handle mosquitoes, bed bugs, roaches, fleas, ants, spiders and so much more! We are very lucky to have Katie on board with Rosie’s Pest Control in Memphis.
Are all insect repellents created equal? According to consumer reports, NO! In fact, most of the top brands you find in grocery and retail outlets are proven to last only an hour or less. The unbiased report that was just released by Consumer Reports compares all brands and the winner is Picaridin Insect Repellent overwhelmingly.
If you are pregnant or nursing there are vegetable based options, but they are just not very effective. The best way to keep the mosquitoes from biting is to control them in your area. Rosie’s Pest Control has you covered in the Memphis area with a FREE mosquito treatment with any pest contract for your home or for your business. With the spread of the Zika virus, mosquito control is more important than ever. Request a free evaluation from Rosie’s here.