Jul 1, 2022, 13:08 PM by Fred Speer

With a long holiday weekend upon us, many of us will be heading out to make a trip to the beach or campground, watch fireworks, take in a ballgame, or enjoy a backyard cookout with friends and family.

In addition to good times and the ability to hang out in the great outdoors, there will be abundance of food and beverages. However, you won’t be the only one looking to snag a hot dog, pasta salad, or cold soda.

Flies, ants, mosquitoes, and stinging insects are drawn to the sweet, sugary desserts, fruit, and soft drinks that are a staple of holiday functions, as well as the greasy leftovers that can be found on grills, serving trays, and garbage cans filled with post-party trash. Why are pests attracted to your yard in the first place?

Fourth of July pests

Clark, your friendly termite, mosquito, pest management, and grounds care expert, would like you, your family, and your friends to have a safe, enjoyable Fourth of July.

Here’s some additional information on pests that frequent outdoor gatherings, along with some helpful tips to keep them from spoiling a good time:

Flies: These airborne pests are a common interloper to almost any backyard cookout or picnic. Keep these filthy insects from spoiling your picnic by covering your food with foil or tight-sealing lids, or set up the buffet inside a screened-in porch or tent. Also, remember to clean up food and beverage spills, as they are a major attractant to flies.

Ants: Like flies, ants are drawn to food, food spills, and leftovers. Ants – especially Argentine ants, the most-encountered species in California – thrive on sweet, sugary substances like spilled soft drinks. Cleaning up spilled food and drinks and rinsing out cans and bottles before they go into the recycle bin or garbage can will deny ants their prize. Read more tips on how to stop ants in their tracks.

Stinging Insects: Nothing can ruin a party like getting stung by a wasp or yellowjacket. Clark recommends that you inspect your property before a party for any signs of nests in trees, or under awnings and eaves of your home. If you do spot a nest, call the stinging insect experts at Clark immediately. Also, cover food and beverage cans or bottles, as many stinging insects are attracted to sugary substances, and no one wants to swallow a bee that flew into their beverage.

Mosquitoes: These nuisance pests are regular holiday party crashers, and eliminating standing water and keeping vegetation trimmed in your yard are ways to prevent mosquitoes from nesting. Using insect repellent or yard sprays containing DEET or eucalyptus oil, lighting citronella candles, or turning on a ceiling or box fan to blow mosquitoes away from your deck or patio (mosquitoes are not good flyers) are ways to toss these uninvited guests out.

If mosquitoes are causing a problem in your yard, ask about Clark’s Swat-Away mosquito service. It offers a comprehensive mosquito management plan that’s designed to limit encounters with these annoying and potentially harmful pests, which can establish a breeding location in something as small as a plastic bottle cap or in an outdoor play set.

Got questions about pests? Call Clark

If you have concerns pests spoiling your holiday festivities, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We are ready to help solve your pest issues.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.

Happy Fourth of July from Clark Pest Control!