How To Have A Pest-Free Party

Picture it: you’ve planned a fun gathering for family and friends, where your kitchen table or backyard patio will be filled with plenty of delicious food and special drinks. The house is packed, the guests are having a good time, and then, they arrive: a bunch of tiny, uninvited pests who only want to steal your party snacks and rudely bite your guests. If your party takes place outside, there will likely be a couple of tiny bugs flying around the area, but a full-on pest invasion is not a normal party activity. At this point in fall, it’s still warm enough outside that many pests haven’t needed to find their overwintering shelters just yet. There are four types of pests that are more likely to make an unwarranted appearance at a party this month, which we’ll explore before diving into some helpful prevention tips to incorporate into your party planning. 

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes may be the most annoying pests that have no interest in our food. Female mosquitoes are the only ones that consume blood, which they begin doing when they need the protein for their eggs. They lay their eggs in any amount of idle water, such as lakes, ponds, puddles, buckets, and plant drainage trays. Female mosquitoes can also use damp soil if that is the only moisture available. Since they lay up to 100 eggs at once that will hatch a few days later, a mosquito infestation can become a problem before you know it. The adults are most active at dusk and dawn, so it might be a good idea to schedule the party in between those times as best as you can. They can still be seen in the middle of the day, but their numbers are far less than on the bookends of the day. 

There are multiple factors that can attract mosquitoes, many of which may be in play during a warm gathering. One is the movement of people and the side effects that are the result of being outdoors on a warm day. Mosquitoes have infrared vision, so they are drawn to movement since this makes their target stand out among the landscaping. This is why they are also attracted to body heat and sweat, as warmth is easier for them to detect than cold. Mosquitoes are more prevalent when carbon dioxide is being steadily produced. Humans naturally take more breaths when we are moving and talking, so mosquitoes can easily find a group of sociable people at a party. These pests also like light, hence their resurgence when the porch lights are flipped on. There are plenty of fun party activities to participate in, but none of them involve swatting at mosquitoes in between taking bites of food.

Ants

Where there is unsealed food, ants are sure to follow. They are opportunistic scavengers, which means they will eat just about anything they see while searching for food every day. Ants prioritize sugar and protein in their foods so their colony will have energy. Although they can certainly get this protein from dead insects that the ants rip apart with their mandibles, ants would enjoy just about any party food that is available. If the dish is uncovered and easy to get into, ants will be there before you know it. 

It’s clear that ants are resourceful, but the questions arises as to how they manage to find unsealed food so quickly. Ants are equipped with some abilities that give them the upper hand in scavenging and allow them to find our food before other pests. The workers have olfactory receptors on the tiny hairs that cover their bodies. These receptors detect food chemicals, such as sugar and fat. Ants follow the scent trail to the food, retrieve as much as they can carry, and then lead their fellow workers to that source by leaving a trail of pheromones. These invisible chemicals are how ants and other insects communicate with their own species. The good news with ants is that they will not spontaneously appear the second you set out a bowl of chips. But the bad news is that the longer party food sits out, the higher risk you run of some hungry ants finding the spread. This is a common problem since many gatherings and parties involve the snacks sitting out for an extended period of time, which could draw in some very unlikable guests.

Gnats

Possibly the only thing that rivals the frustration of swatting away a mosquito is swatting away a gnat, if only because their tiny size makes it even more difficult to get them. Gnats do not bite or sting us, so the only reason why they would dare to venture near is because they are either attracted to us or the surrounding foliage. They love sweet and fruity smells, both of which can be prevalent at a backyard party in a couple different ways. One is the type of plants in the yard, as gnats favor fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They will also be drawn to common houseplants if those are available. Gnats eat produce, organic matter, and fungi, which can all be found around typical backyard foliage. They need to be somewhere with a lot of moisture, and are more likely to invade a plant that has been overwatered.

As for people, gnats can be drawn to us for a few reasons. They are attracted to body heat for similar purposes as mosquitoes, exert gnats don’t want our blood. But they are more likely to annoy us when we are warm, especially if we are sweating. Gnats also like light, so the guests that stake out a spot near the porch light may find themselves swatting away more tiny pests than some of the other guests. But potentially the main reason why gnats like to be near humans is because of our scents. Think of all the fragrances that can be found on our bodies when we’re dressed for a party: laundry detergent, perfume/cologne, hair products, skincare, etc. If a person tends to enjoy the fruitier or sweeter smells in their products, they are not alone: gnats prefer these notes too!

Stinging Insects

Surprisingly, stinging insects are more likely to invade a party for the food, not the people. The wasp section of the family is attracted to many of our common party foods. They gravitate towards uncovered soda, sweets, and meats. This is because — much like ants — stinging insects want to find foods that will give as much energy as possible to their colonies. These hardworking insects are constantly expanding their nests and caring for the newest eggs laid by their queen, so they need all the sustenance they can get. If you’re having a classic backyard barbecue with grilled meats, tasty drinks, and sweet desserts, you may notice some small striped guests making an appearance. 

There are other reasons why stinging insects can suddenly appear at the party. One is if they get confused and believe that their favorite flowers are also at this gathering, but they will soon be disappointed. If you have ever found a stinging insect near you when you’re wearing a floral scent or a flower-printed shirt (or both), it is not a coincidence. This group of pests seek out flowers to gather nectar and pollen, so they will typically fly away soon after realizing that these flowers don’t have the sustenance they need. Another reason, and the worst case scenario out of any of these pest invasions, is if their nest is disturbed. Stinging insects are notoriously defensive, and every species besides bees can sting more than once. We highly recommend inspecting your backyard before the party to make sure there are not any nests and therefore no danger of an angry, stinging swarm suddenly attacking your guests. 

Prevent Before the Party

The idea of adding even more tasks to your to-do list may sound super stressful, especially since there is plenty to be done before welcoming the guests into your home. However, many of the common ways to prevent pests will likely be on your list already, and the ones that are less common are still easy to do. These are the best ways to stop pests from crashing your party, no matter the original reason why they invaded:

• Clean the outdoor gathering area by sweeping, cleaning up crumbs, wiping down tables, etc.
• Trim back overgrown plants and trees
• Keep the amount of weeds around plants down to a minimum
• Place garbage cans in accessible places for guests
• Get coverings for all the food dishes that will be sitting out. This includes airtight lids, mesh coverings, or tin foil that will cover the food as much as possible 
• Have bug spray available for your guests if you predict the party to extend into the evening. Make sure the spray has DEETs, as this is the component that actually repels insects.
• Consider using a natural repellant throughout the party. Citronella, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, and peppermint are all relatively effective against common insects.

The most important principle in preventing pests is to take away their main attractants. Keep food and drinks covered, shut doors and windows when not in use, and clean any food spills as soon as possible.

Protect Your Parties With Pointe Pest Control!

No matter how many of these prevention tips you use, it is still a good idea to call in the pros before the party. Pests are durable, stubborn creatures that will not leave a reliable food source or warm shelter willingly. Our experienced technicians use their extensive knowledge of common pests to form a customized treatment plan for each client. Pest control should not be “one size fits all,” as every pest problem and property require different treatments. Since all of our products are environmentally-friendly, you do not have to worry about harmful chemicals lingering for your family and party guests. When you receive services from Pointe Pest Control, you can be sure that your pest problems will not ruin any gathering, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Contact our team to learn more about how we can keep your home pest-free in every season, whether you have plenty of party plans or a wide-open schedule.

Citations

How to help keep bugs away during springtime activities. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.terminix.com/blog/whats-buzzing/keep-bugs-away-during-spring/ 

Nemeth, N. (2016, June 20). 13 tips and tricks fro a pest-free outdoor party. Doityourself. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.doityourself.com/stry/13-tips-and-tricks-for-a-pest-free-outdoor-party 

Tips for bug-free outdoor entertaining. (2022, July 28). Maggie’s Farm. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://maggiesfarmproducts.com/blogs/bug-help/bug-free-outdoor-party 

What attracts gnats?. (n.d.). Terminix. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.terminix.com/other/flies/gnats/what-are-gnats-attracted-to/ 

What attracts mosquitoes & how they find you. (n.d.). Raid. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.raid.com/en-US/education/bug-basics/what-attracts-mosquitoes 

What do ants eat outside & in your home?. (2022, July 25). EarthKind. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://www.earthkind.com/blog/what-do-ants-eat-outside-in-your-home/