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You’ve worked hard to create an impressive menu to go with your next foray into the world of backyard dining. Unfortunately, your efforts haven’t just attracted the attentions of your guests and jealous next-door neighbors. You also have to contend with mosquitoes, and it seems like these buzzing pests fail to get the message no matter how many times you tell them that they’re not welcome.

Want to transform your next BBQ into a mosquito-free paradise? Try these integrated pest management, or IPM, tips.

Eliminate Breeding Spots

Mosquitoes require standing water to breed. Different Aedes and Culex species have distinct preferences on whether they prefer human-made pools, like puddles in trash bins, or organic spaces, like leaves that gather rainwater. No matter what type of infestation you’re at war with, however, getting rid of these spots can make your yard way more pleasant.

Experts recommend actions like plugging tree holes with insulating foam, cleaning gutters to keep them from backing up and storing tarps that might collect rainwater indoors. If you have birdbaths, flowerpots or outdoor trashcans, you should empty them out on a routine basis. In some cases, it may be necessary to repair cracked septic tanks, cover ventilation openings and install wire mesh around drainage piping or air conditioner outlets.

Is your yard full of containers, like buckets or wheelbarrows? If you must keep them outdoors, then store them upside-down so that they don’t collect water. Pruning dense vegetation and eliminating windbreaks to let the breeze pass through more often can also discourage adults from nesting nearby.

Introduce Mosquito Predators

In some cases, it’s impossible to eliminate standing water sources. For instance, you probably don’t want to drain your fancy backyard pond.

Fortunately, you can use many predatory species to your advantage. Introducing mosquito-eating fish into a pond, for instance, is a smart way to control larvae populations. Natural nematodes, bacteria and other species serve similar purposes.

Stop Settling for Mosquito Infestations

Mosquitoes love outdoor gatherings because they feed off of your blood. When you, your kids and your pets all gather together, it’s like you’re presenting these insects with a free feast. Since mosquitoes are attracted to your body heat and the carbon dioxide that you naturally exhale, preventing them from developing large populations in the first place is the most effective solution.

Controlling mosquitoes makes it much easier to enjoy the great outdoors. It also prevents the spread of the many diseases that these insects carry, like Zika Virus, malaria and dengue fever. To learn more about how to use comprehensive IPM techniques to keep your BBQs pest-free, talk to an expert at Florida Pest Control Center today.