These 10 Hungry Pests Will Ruin a Barbecue

Summary: A backyard barbecue is the most popular way to celebrate the Fourth of July. This blog explains the destructive habits of 10 pests that often invade barbecue parties. It also gives tips on preventing these pests. Pointe Pest Control provides efficient solutions.

It’s a truth universally recognized that an outdoor party with a buffet of delicious food will attract pests. Since the 4th of July is this Friday, we’re already thinking of the types of pests we usually see at backyard barbecues. Hungry ants, bloodthirsty mosquitoes, angry yellow jackets…the list goes on.

Knowledge is your greatest defense against pests like these. By knowing what attracts them, you can effectively prevent them from ruining your barbecue festivities. Let’s learn more about what attracts and prevents the 10 worst BBQ pests that bring down the party mood.

Ants

It wouldn’t be a food pest blog without ants! They’re drawn to most food and drinks, especially those that are sugary or protein-packed. Workers lead their fellow ants with a pheromone (scent chemical) trail that leads straight to the food source. This can be as grand as a platter of grilled steaks, or as forgettable as a spilled soda.

You don’t want ants walking all over your BBQ fare. They traipse through gross places (hello, garbage dumps) to find food. Keep food covered with mesh domes and wipe up food spills ASAP. If you’re interested in finding an infestation’s source, follow an ant trail back to their nest.

Crickets

Cricket chirps are the background music to barbecues later in the day. These chirps are how crickets communicate and find mates. The volume and frequency of these chirps depend on the cricket’s size, age, and health. Since they’re drawn to lights and moisture, you may find a cricket choir singing a little too close to your party.

They eat insects and plants, so crickets aren’t a threat to your BBQ food. They hide until an artificial light catches their eye. Then, crickets get closer to the light and might find themselves indoors. Before you turn on the lights, make sure the window and door screens are secure!

Flies

Nothing is more annoying than having to wave away a fly when you’re trying to eat your baked beans and potato salad. Flies have a great sense of smell, so they easily locate uncovered food and garbage cans as “good” food sources. They walk on the food to get a taste (their taste receptors are on their legs), then spit digestive enzymes to drink the food item.

Flies carry over 100 harmful pathogens that are transmitted through their enzymes and legs. The bacteria can cause food poisoning symptoms, so the goal is to keep them away from your food. Place a fan or two around the seating area: house flies can’t fly in the wind!

Mosquitoes

One of the worst summer pests, mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. They love humidity but don’t do well in the midday heat. This means trouble if your barbecue lasts into the night. Female mosquitoes find hosts by detecting sweat, body heat, and carbon dioxide output. Mosquitoes also eat fruit juices and flower nectar, so even these lead them to a BBQ!

Their eggs are laid in fresh water, so you might see more mosquitoes if it rained recently. Remove as much standing water from your yard as possible, and don’t be afraid to light some citronella candles. The grill’s smoke is also great at keeping mosquitoes away!

Moths

This seems like a weird addition to a list of barbecue pests, but moths are an incessant pest of late-night outdoor parties. They’re drawn to lights because they use the moon as a compass. When they fly under a lightbulb, they get confused and flutter around the new light as they try to separate north and south. Moths are drawn to blue and UV lights the most.

Since moths just eat flower nectar, your only concern is their light attraction. To keep your guests from being bugged (literally) by moths, don’t use bright lights near the seating area. If possible, use yellow or warm lights to lower the number of moths near your party.

Roaches

You probably won’t see a huge roach army at your barbecue (we hope), but it’s not impossible to see one or two. They’re drawn to warmth, humidity, moisture, food, and darkness. Roaches are nocturnal and try to avoid people at all costs. If you see one, there’s a chance that their family lives somewhere close. These pests can’t fly very far, if at all.

Roaches eat just about anything, but they love organic items and grease. That’s why it’s important to keep all of the food dishes covered and take them inside when the meal ends. Since they try to stay in the dark, keep the space lit with those warm-toned lights.

Rodents

Similar to roaches, rodents are nocturnal pests that prefer to stay hidden from us. They try to stay in shelter since they’re not big fans of the heat. If you see a mouse or rat during the day, it could be a sign of a larger issue. These pests are scavengers who take back any stolen food and grease to their ever-growing families.

Mice also love hiding in stored grills, so always keep the lid closed and inspect the grill before each use. Rodent issues often reveal themselves when there’s a dog around. If your furry friend starts randomly barking or trying to dig under a large object, there could be a hidden rodent.

Spiders

Spiders don’t come to a barbecue for the food — well, sort of. While they don’t eat any of our delectable dishes, spiders do like to stay near their own food sources as much as possible. If you have a lot of bugs in your yard, you can expect to see some spiders hanging out at their own buffet. Most of them like to stay in shaded areas when possible.

While we see a lot of spiders in the day, many of them start their actual hunting and feeding in the evening. The two most venomous spiders, black widows and brown recluses, are the most active at night. This is risky if they set up shop in the seating area. A bite from either of these spiders is treatable with immediate medical attention.

Stinging Insects

A better question to ask is “what doesn’t attract stinging insects to a BBQ?” They love sweets and protein, so they’re attracted to meat, fruit, sweet beverages, and desserts. They find food by following flowery and fruity scents right to the source. While they love the heat, these pests are most active in late summer when they’re collecting food for their overwintering queens.

Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets can sting repeatedly due to their smooth stingers. Since they’re so territorial, disturbing their nests is one of the worst things you can do. Keep an eye out for any nests (yellow jackets live underground) and have them professionally removed.

Ticks

Ticks live on blood, so their only attractants at a BBQ are the guests and pets. Since they can’t fly or move quickly, ticks hide in thick or tall plants until they can crawl onto a nearby mammal. This makes them a risk for people and pets walking around the grass. Infected ticks need to feed for at least 24 hours to transmit their pathogens, often leading to Lyme disease.

If your property backs up to a field or wooded area, your yard is more likely to host ticks. Keep the plants and grass trimmed to easily prevent ticks. Check your pets for ticks often, and have your yard serviced before the BBQ if ticks are a a consistent problem in your area.

Have a Pest-Free 4th with Pointe!

The 4th of July is the ultimate BBQ day, but we’re willing to bet that you have more than one backyard barbecue in your calendar this summer. Before you host any outdoor parties, make sure your yard is pest-free with Pointe Pest Control! Our experienced technicians solve every Illinois and Indiana pest issue as efficiently as possible.

Our customized treatment plans target your pest problems with long-term solutions that stay effective long after the service ends. Contact us for a free quote on our dependable pest control services today!

Citations

5 reasons why you have a cricket infestation. (2021, November 23). Maggie’s Farm. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://maggiesfarmproducts.com/blogs/bug-help/cricket-infestation

Keep your backyard BBQ pest-free. (n.d.). Pest World. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/10-tips-to-keep-your-backyard-bbq-pest-free/

The 5 most common picnic pests and how to prevent them. (2025, June 9). Arrow Exterminators. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://www.arrowexterminators.com/learning-center/blog/the-5-most-common-picnic-pests-and-how-to-prevent-them