Ten Tips for Keeping Insects Away from Your Backyard Cookout

A backyard barbecue is the perfect way to bring friends and family together on Labor Day or any warm-weather holiday. You can keep most of the activities outdoors, and share many traditional family favorite foods and games. Cooking and eating outdoors just seems to make food taste better! Unfortunately, insect pests are also attracted by the delicious sight and scent of your buffet. Follow these ten tips to keep ants, wasps, gnats and other picnic pests from spoiling your outdoor fun:

1. Clean up your backyard. A day or two before your cookout, mow the grass and trim back overgrown hedges to discourage fleas and ticks who dwell in moist, shady places.

2. Dump stagnant waters in bird baths, kiddie pools and unfiltered garden ponds where mosquitos may breed, and refill them with fresh, clean water the day of your party. Get rid of rotting vegetation and keep your garbage can covered.

3. Choose a dry, sunny area for entertaining. Put your serving away from hedges to prevent attracting the many insects that live within. Nearby flowering plants will draw bees and wasps, so choose a location in your back yard that will let your guests admire your landscaping efforts from afar.

4. Cook out in the middle of the day. The most mosquitos are out in the early morning and late evening hours. Fire up the barbecue in the late morning and eat in the early afternoon.

5. Keep food covered. Pests will be especially drawn to the sugary foods. Consider serving the food indoors and let your guests carry their plates into the back yard to eat. If it's more convenient to serve food outdoors, keep it in the house until the meat has finished cooking. Once your guests have been served, cover the containers and serving utensils. Take dirty dishes and eating utensils indoors or throw them away as guests finish eating.

6. Avoid bright colors. Flowery colors attract bees and wasps. Colorful tableware makes an attractive presentation, not only to your party guests but to insects as well. Use light-colored tableware and tablecloths for outdoor entertaining.

7. Don't use fragranced candles outdoors. Sweet-smelling candle scents will attract bees and wasps. Candles can create a lovely ambiance for an evening backyard cookout, but use unscented ones or citronella candles which keep mosquitos at bay. Citronella candles only protect the side of you that is toward the candle's light, so space them strategically around your eating area.

8. Don't attract insects to yourself. Wear light-colored clothing. Avoid flowery perfumes, scented body lotions and deodorants, or other scented personal care products which will attract bees and wasps.

9. Dispose of beverage containers as they are used. The sugary residue inside empty bottles, cans and cups that are left sitting around will attract insects. Stock up on cheap plastic cups with lids and straws for drink-spilling youngsters.

10. Use chemical yard foggers and insect repellants as a last resort. Avoid insecticides that contain DEET, and remember that even natural products may be toxic. Never spray insect repellants around uncovered food or beverages, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.