You need to do some planning when you opt to have the perfect picnic in Texas. In addition to the food and company, you want to be sure the troublesome pests do not ruin your plans. With this in mind, we at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would like to share some tips on having a pest-free picnic.
What are Common Pests at a Picnic?
You may be battling many pests such as ants, wasps, and ticks when you have a meal outdoors since they are prevalent throughout the area.
Ants. Ants are easily drawn to food. Little black ants are the most common visitors at picnics. They will march to your site and start eating your food if left undeterred. There little bites and stings and seeing them crawl over foods and drinks can be most unappetizing.
Mosquitoes. Usually discovered near standing water, these troublesome pests are no stranger to the locals. Mosquitoes can ruin a picnic at any time of day despite being most active in the early morning evening.
Ticks. These pests are attracted to you, not so much the human food. One way to bring a picnic to a disturbing end is finding a tick attached to you.
Wasps. Wasps will instantly invade any picnic in their path. The sugary food and drinks are a beacon for wasps.
How Do I Keep Bugs & Pests Out of My Outdoor Food Party?
Below a few things you can do to prevent pests before setting out your picnic.
1) Inspect the Area Around Your Picnic Site. When you set up your picnic, look at more than just the scenery. Search for ant mounds and wasp nests nearby. The closer you are to their colonies, the more likely the pests will bother you. Near heavy shrubbery and tall grasses need caution. As mosquitoes may be lingering nearby, a picnic near stagnant water is also a recipe for disaster. You severely limit the chances of pests taking over by choosing the right site for your picnic
2) Maintain Covered Food. Pests will make their way to any food left open. Until it’s time to eat, keep food secure. Keep pests away by covering it as much as possible once you do take your food out. You can use lids to cover food until you’re ready to eat, though you can’t keep it covered for the duration of the picnic.
3) Avoid Sweets. If possible, avoid sugary food and drinks to keep the bees and wasps from joining the picnic. The more likely you’ll be to encounter wasps the longer they remain out.
4) Light Citronella Candles. Consider bringing some citronella candles to deter mosquitoes. They work within a small radius so you may need to use a few. Keep in mind the direction of the wind when you place them.
5) Use Fans. You can use a fan to keep bugs away if you can find any battery-operated fans. Most insects stay clear of strong air currents. Be sure to bring extra batteries.
Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If you intend to have a picnic on your own backyard, consider calling A Five Star Termite & Pest Control to provide maintenance services to help deter pests from ruining your picnic.
