The 5 Most Common Picnic Pests and How to Prevent Them

Did you really soak in the summer if you didn’t have a picnic? 

There’s nothing better than spending a sunny afternoon outside with some good food and a cold drink. But while you’re focused on firing up the grill and mixing lemonade, some nosy neighbors may be plotting their attack.

Pests have a knack for crashing outdoor picnics and barbeques. And who can blame them? With all those mouthwatering smells in the air, you’re basically signaling that your meal is a bug buffet. 

Eating on the insects’ home turf can be a challenge, but with a few precautions, you can keep these common backyard pests off your plate and away from your cookout. 

Wasps and Yellow Jackets

These two flying pests have one thing in common: they love a sugary drink. Add in some fresh fruit and meat, and they’re almost sure to turn your peaceful lunch into a sting operation. 

Unlike bees, wasps and yellow jackets can sting multiple times, and they’re known for being territorial. To keep them away from your picnic, cover food when it’s not being served and pour drinks into cups with lids. The less scent they can pick up, the better.

Even your outfit can attract unwanted attention. Bright floral prints and strong perfumes can make you look (and smell) like a blooming flower to these buzzing party crashers. While dressing for summer is half the fun, keeping it low-key might help you avoid an up-close encounter.

Fire Ants

These red ants may be small, but they sure know how to ruin a picnic. Fire ants are known for forming massive colonies in lawns and green spaces — the exact spots you’re likely to lay out a picnic blanket or set up lawn chairs. Their painful stings can leave welts that are sure to ruin your appetite. 

Before you set up your picnic, check your lawn for any visible mounds. If you see one, avoid placing your belongings near it. All it takes is one wrong step to stir up a frenzy of fire ants. 

Dealing with these angry ants should be left to the professionals. Our fire ant control services will help keep fire ants out of your yard.

Flies

House flies and fruit flies always seem to think they have an open invitation to your picnic. Once they catch a whiff of burgers and watermelon, it’s tough to get them to buzz off.

Like with other insects, sealing up any dishes that aren’t being served can help keep flies out of your food. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done. If the lid on your pasta salad isn’t doing its job, try going on the offensive instead. 

Flies struggle in windy conditions, so using fans to create a breeze near your table can keep them from landing on your plate. You can also use citronella candles or natural scents like basil and mint to send them packing before they even arrive.

Mosquitoes

What’s a mosquito’s favorite item on the menu? Spoiler alert: it’s not the celery sticks.

While you’re enjoying your outdoor spread, there’s a good chance a mosquito is enjoying you. These pests love to lurk in shady spots and around standing water, waiting to invade. And the later into the evening your picnic goes, the more likely they are to make an appearance.

Before your backyard event, dump out standing water from flowerpots or birdbaths. To help keep mosquitoes at bay during the barbecue, light citronella candles or torches to create a bug-repelling barrier. Wearing light-colored clothing can also help, since mosquitoes are more attracted to dark hues.

Ants (the Non-Fire Kind)

While less aggressive than fire ants, regular ants are just as persistent. All it takes is a single crumb to signal to the rest of the colony that it’s time to eat.

These tiny scavengers love an outdoor feast, so taking a few precautions can go a long way. If you’re out at a park, use a picnic table instead of laying food on the ground. This can help give you a buffer between your meal and the ants. 

Of course, ants are great climbers, so keeping your table clean is also important. Wipe down surfaces after serving sweet or sticky dishes, and make sure to quickly clean up anything that spills. 

Enjoy a Pest-Free Picnic This Summer

Whether you’re planning a backyard cookout or family picnic, the last thing you want is to spend the day dealing with pests. Contact us for help with any of your outdoor pest problems so you can skip the bug bites and focus on grabbing a bite.