As the weather continues to warm and summer kicks into high gear, you’ll surely be anxious to break out the barbecue grill for some wonderful cookouts with family and friends. Where there’s food, however, there’s likely to also be pests. Ants, mosquitoes, flies and bees can appear seemingly out of nowhere. By following a few basic tips, you can enjoy your hamburgers and hotdogs without worrying about invasive critters.

Insects and Food

While ants are known for ruining picnics, they can also be pests at barbecues. They have a particularly bad habit of contaminating condiments, side dishes and sugary desserts. Bees and flies can get into soda cans and juice glasses. Wasps and yellow jackets can be especially dangerous to small children and pets who are hanging around the grilling area. Mosquitoes, which can pass dozens of different diseases to humans, can also appear when the weather is warm and muggy.

Creating a Pest-Free Grilling Environment

You should keep the cookout area completely clean before people arrive. After you’ve grilled a round of burgers, place them under plastic wrap until it is time to eat. Condiments should also be covered up. Try to cook in an area that is located far away from standing water. This will keep the flies and mosquitoes from descending on your party in droves.

Deferring to the Experts

In all cases, you should avoid using harsh chemicals and do-it-yourself spray treatments. Such chemicals can contaminate your food and make you and your family sick. You should instead call in pest control professionals who can examine the environment and come up with a viable solution plan. You can shortly thereafter begin grilling to your heart’s delight.