Summary: Barbecue season is here, so it’s important to prevent pests from ruining these feasts. This blog discusses the 5 most common barbecue pests in Texas. Then, it details 12 easy ways to have a pest-free barbecue party. Romney Pest Control solves every pest issue with complete efficiency and care.
We are entering the favorite season of dads, grill masters, and meat aficionados: barbecue season! Whether you’re dining solo or enjoying the company of your friends and family, there’s nothing like a good backyard barbecue.
We aren’t the only ones who enjoy the feast and atmosphere of a barbecue – pests do too. That’s why it’s essential to keep hungry pests from ruining your backyard feast. Let’s find out which summer pests might invite themselves to the party before we give our best tips on having a pest-free barbecue!
The Uninvited Barbecue Guests
Pests love backyard barbecues for two main reasons: food and people. Hungry pests have plenty of available food sources, and bloodthirsty insects have their own buffet to choose from. A fun party can quickly turn into a pest’s paradise if the correct preventative measures aren’t put into place.
We’ll get to these measures in a second. But first, these are five of the most common pests you’ll find at any outdoor event in Texas:
- Ants — Ants can smell food from almost 10 feet away, so they have no problem locating a barbecue. They leave a pheromone (scent chemical) trail to lead their fellow workers to the same food sources. Everything that ants touch is contaminated with their bacteria.
- Mosquitoes — No summer party would be complete without mosquitoes putting themselves on the VIP list. They find hosts by detecting our body heat, sweat, and carbon dioxide output. Mosquitoes can spread diseases through their saliva if they previously bit an infected host.
- Flies — Houseflies are very annoying, but did you know they’re also covered in bacteria? They carry over 100 types of germs that are transmitted to anyone who eats the food they touched. Flies have taste receptors on their legs, so they need to walk on food to taste it.
- Stinging Insects — Stinging pests are wary insects that will do anything to defend their colony against a threat. This is more concerning when a person is allergic to their stings, especially if the nest is in the yard. Their attitude is much worse in late summer, so buckle up.
- Fire Ants — Every Texan knows about the trials and tribulations of having a fire ant nest in your yard. They like building their nests in sunny areas near food sources. Since they’re omnivores — they eat insects and plants — fire ants can find food in just about any area.
So, now we know the pests to look for throughout your summer festivities. It’s time to move into the meat (the grilled meat) of this blog: having a pest-free barbecue!
Prep the Yard
Before the barbecue, it’s a good idea to prepare your yard for the upcoming party. If you see any stinging insect nests in the yard, contact your local pest professionals for immediate removal. Also, mow the lawn and prune plants to prevent overgrowth. Make sure your plants and grass aren’t overwatered or under-watered — pests are attracted to either one!
Remove Standing Water
Speaking of preparation, stagnant water needs to be removed before the barbecue. Mosquitoes need just half an inch for their eggs, so every bit of water you can remove will help. Empty out items that hold rainwater or sprinkler water, like plant saucers, tarps, and buckets. If you have a birdbath or a pet’s water bowl, change the water in these on a regular basis.
Maintain the Garbage
Roaches, rodents, and ants use trash as food sources when it’s easily accessible. Don’t let trash collect on the tables during the party. Instead, have at least one trash can available to your guests during the barbecue for their discarded food and disposable tableware. Keep the can away from the fresh food, use strong trash bags, and empty the can when it’s full.
Replace Cans with Cups
Stinging insects love sweet drinks because they get an energy boost from the sugar. The problem starts when a wasp crawls into a soda can for a taste of the sweet beverage, but the can’s owner doesn’t notice until they go to take a sip! To prevent this nightmare from taking place, offer plastic cups or drink covers to your guests.
Use Indoor Food Stations
Backyard barbecues are usually buffet-style to make it easy for everyone to choose the food they want. We recommend keeping the dishes inside to protect them from hungry pests. If you still want to keep the food stations outdoors, use coverings on each platter or dish. Lids, foil, mesh domes, bowl covers, and plastic wrap are easy ways to keep food fresh and pest-free.
Place Fans Around
The brutal Texas heat and flying insects are a bad combination at any outdoor event. If your barbecue isn’t on a windy day, place a couple of electric fans around the main entertaining area. The fans circulate the air to keep flying bugs out of the space and away from your guests. Fans also prevent mosquitoes from detecting our carbon dioxide — an extra perk for us!
Use Herbs
And we don’t just mean in your cooking! Herbs have strong-smelling oils in their secretory systems, and warm weather turns these oils into vapors. That makes the herbs more aromatic and repulsive to pests. Herbs don’t guarantee a pest-free experience, but they can lower the number of invaders. Rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, and other herbs usually repel pests.
Some easy ways to utilize herbs at a barbecue are:
- Tying them into bundles
- Attaching them to chair backs
- Scattering them around tables
- Putting them in jars as table centerpieces
- Placing them in containers with rocks as tablecloth weights
Clean Any Spills
If you give food to a large group of people, it’s inevitable that a spill or two will occur. Since pests are after easy food sources, taking care of food spills is essential for pest prevention. You don’t have to swoop in the second that someone accidentally drops some baked beans on the table. Just use an antibacterial wipe or spray to clean major spills by the end of the party.
Offer Repellents
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. With this in mind, your guests might appreciate having repellents and bug sprays available. Bug spray that actually says it targets bloodsucking pests (mosquitoes, ticks, etc.) is the best option. You can also place natural repellents around the party for additional protection. Citronella candles are a great option!
Keep the House Closed
There’s nothing like tidying up the kitchen after the party comes to a close, and having to keep one hand free for swatting at a couple of stubborn house flies. Make sure your window screens and weather seals are in tact before the party, and replace any that are torn. Throughout the party, keep the doors closed in between guests entering and exiting.
Clean the Grill
The star of any backyard barbecue is — of course — the grill! That’s why it’s important to practice proper grill maintenance. When you’re done grilling, remove grease and food scraps with a grill brush. Keep the lid and grill cover on until the next use. Mice love hiding in idle grills, so check for any pest activity. If yours has pests, disinfect the plate before firing it up.
Store Leftovers
You know you’ve had a successful barbecue when everyone is too full to finish off the food. We keep saying pests are always after easy food sources, and forgotten leftovers are maybe the easiest of them all. Don’t leave the food uncovered for hours on end. Move leftovers into lidded containers and store them in your fridge — or send them home with your guests as party favors!
Schedule Regular Services with Romney
When all of these prevention tips are paired with professional treatments from Romney Pest Control, your home will be seriously fortified against pests. Our licensed, dedicated technicians take the time to assess each pest issue before creating a customized treatment plan. We provide long-term solutions, not surface-level fixes.
Texas pests are relentless every summer. When you choose Romney, you don’t have to deal with your pest problems alone. Contact us for a free quote on our reliable services and take back your summer from invasive pests!
Citations
5 most effective ways to prevent pests in your BBQ. (2023, May 16). Creative Covers Inc. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.creativecoversinc.com/blog/5-most-effective-ways-to-prevent-pests-in-your-bbq/
Harney, C. (2023, June 26). 4 pests that can ruin a barbecue. Pointe Pest Control. Available at https://www.pointepestcontrol.net/4-pests-that-can-ruin-a-barbecue/ (Accessed on May 20, 2025).
How to have a bug-free barbecue. (2022, May 5). Green Pest Services. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://greenpestservices.net/how-to-have-a-bug-free-barbecue/
How to host a pest-free barbecue. (2024, July 3). Pointe Pest Control. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://pointepest.com/how-to-host-a-pest-free-barbecue/
Keep your backyard BBQ pest-free. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/10-tips-to-keep-your-backyard-bbq-pest-free/
