Family at outdoor bbq Tis the season…for the long-awaited 4th of July barbecue. Just the thought of it makes you think of the sizzle of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, running around the yard with sparklers, making s’mores in the bonfire, and late-night fireworks.

But one of the things that can put a real damper on the party is unwanted pests. If you’re hosting this year’s festivities, you’ll want to make plans for dealing with these critters so your guests spend more time enjoying the party outside and less time swatting or taking cover.

The most common party crasher in most parts of the country is the mosquito, which thrives in hot, humid weather and around standing water - prime 4th of July conditions. Ticks can also find refuge in tall grass and brush, hitching rides on kids and pets running through the yard. More menacing pests like wasps and hornets can also make guest appearances, attracted to bright outdoor lights and sugary treats that are often lying around.

Not only do these bugs deliver annoying and painful bites, but they can also carry serious diseases such as West Nile, Dengue, Zika and Lyme Disease among many others.

So, as you’re inviting guests, ordering food and picking out decorations, consider adding these few items to your to-do list to make your outdoor space a 4th of July oasis:

Remove sources of standing water that are easy breeding grounds for mosquitoes. These usually include items such as bird baths, children’s toys, flower pots, tarps and wheelbarrows.
Cut the grass, trim the bushes and remove piles of brush from around the property, which are popular hiding spots for ticks.
Make a plan for serving food. Even if guests are eating outside, try to keep food primarily indoors to reduce the risk of ants, wasps and hornets. If food is going to be served outside, keep it covered as much as possible and bring it inside quickly.
Bees, wasps and hornets are attracted to sugary drinks, so consider having some anti-bee and bug can covers on hand to reduce the risk of a nasty surprise.
If you’re looking to jazz up the yard, try planting things like rosemary, lavender and peppermint that are known to deter pests like mosquitoes, spiders, ants and flies.

Professional pest control services like Pestmaster can add another layer of protection to give you peace of mind this 4th of July. Our highly trained technicians will do a complete home inspection, focusing on hotspots where pests are known to flourish. Then, we’ll determine the treatment strategy and Integrated Pest Management techniques that will work best for your home.

You have enough to focus on this 4th of July. When it comes to pest control, leave the heavy lifting to the professionals. Contact Pestmaster today to set up service.