Who doesn’t love a good BBQ? Stinging insects certainly do–we can tell you that much. They love everything about a barbecue! Wasps are particularly attracted to a cookout. Let’s take a look at the two reasons why, and explore some ways to prevent an unwanted encounter.

Why Wasps Love Cookouts

Yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets, three common stinging pests you’ll find pestering your outdoor feast, are predatory insects that eat the flesh of other bugs. For these stinging insects, there isn’t a lot of difference between a piece of grilled meat and a caterpillar. They are more than happy to eat either. If you have meat on the grill, on the picnic table, or discarded in a trash bag, they’ll be interested.

Wasps and hornets also eat sweet things, like nectar, tree sap, and fruit. If you love to put sweet sauces on your grilling meats, this will increase the attraction. Those stinging pests also love sweet liquids. This can lead to a sting on the lip when you go to take a sip.

Quick Tips

• Location is key to preventing a sting from occurring. If you will be having your 4th of July cookout away from home, make sure you chose a location that is not near outdoor garbage receptacles or trash. And be aware that multiple grills set up in one location will increase the chances of an encounter with stinging pests.

• Keep all of your trash in sealed bags. This will keep all of the aromas of meat and sweets from attracting unwanted guests.

• If you’re able, put your sweet liquids in cups with covers.

• Keep your food contained until you’re ready to prepare and consume it, especially if you notice a wasp or two getting curious.

• Stinging insects aren’t just drawn to sweet foods, they’re drawn to sweet smells. If you are wearing a sweet perfume or strong cologne, this could be the attractant that gets wasps and hornets curious.

• If you plan to have your 4th of July BBQ in your backyard, consider having a pest control company do a detailed inspection of your yard, and remove any nests that are present. A professional can also help you reduce other bugs that can ruin your outdoor fun.

Year-round pest control is a quality of life upgrade that everyone should have. While bugs and wildlife don’t intend us any harm, unwanted encounters can happen by accident. When they do, they can lead to a hospital visit, bacterial infection, allergic reactions, and contraction of a human pathogen. Some pathogens can lead to lifelong health complications.

Protect yourself, your family, pets, and your guests from picnic-invading pests. And have a happy 4th of July, from all of us here at Schendel Pest Services.