8 Creative Ways to Have a Pest-Free Fourth of July

Summary: The Fourth of July is usually celebrated outside, so it’s important to think about pest prevention. This blog describes 8 creative, efficient ways to prevent pests from ruining any outdoor party. Green Pest Services solves pest issues with the utmost care.

Happy early Fourth of July from Green Pest Services! Whether you’re spending it at a backyard barbecue or out on the lake, there’s a lot of fun to be had this Friday. Unfortunately, we aren’t the only ones ready to enjoy these gatherings. Pests love a good outdoor party, too!

If you’re hosting a get-together, pest prevention should be on your to-do list. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds! All you have to do is remove access to their 3 necessities: food, water, and shelter.

Let’s break down 8 creative ways to prevent pests from taking over your Fourth of July party (or any outdoor gathering)!

Look for Stinging Insect Nests

This is a good practice even when you aren’t throwing a Fourth of July party, but it’s especially important before you have people over. Look around your yard and house exterior for any signs of stinging insect nests. Most of them prefer to nest in the eaves or in the trees for safety purposes. Yellow jackets are the outliers since they often nest underground or under rocks.

If you have little ones, make sure they know what a typical wasp nest looks like so they can avoid these stingers. The last thing you want is for kids to accidentally disturb a nest while they’re playing at the party. Any active nests and swarms should be treated by a professional since they have the equipment to safely eliminate the pests.

Swab the Deck

This can be literal if you have a deck in the backyard, but we’re also referring to any patio or designated gathering space. If the concrete or wood is dirty, remove all of the items and spray it down with a hose or power washer. Spray or wipe down the furniture (depending on the material) to remove dirt, pollens and spider webs.

You can also use this time to tend to the yard by mowing the lawn and trimming back plants. The goal is to make the seating area tidy and bug-free so it’s safe for your guests. If your deck or patio has a lot of wood, inspect it for signs of pest damage (tiny holes, hollow sounds, etc.). Carpenter ants and termites work fast this time of year!

Consider the Beverage Containers

Sweet drinks and alcoholic beverages attract many pests, including ants, wasps, yellow jackets, flies, and fruit flies. We can’t even count the number of times we’ve gone to take a drink and found a bug slowly swimming in the can or cup! There are a few easy ways to ensure your guests don’t find their beverages with a new bug garnish.

For big batches of homemade drinks, like iced tea and lemonade, put them in lidded beverage dispensers. This protects the liquids from pests and makes it easy for people to get their own drinks. Speaking of which, offer your guests mason jars or drink covers (found at craft stores or on Etsy) to protect their drinks. If you want to make it really easy, stick to bottled drinks that are kept in themed buckets with ice.

Get Creative with Food-Serving Stations

On the topic of Fourth of July party fare, you’ll want to think about how your food will be served. Dishes of fresh food are easy food sources for all kinds of pests, like ants, flies, and roaches. Our recommendation? Have a buffet line indoors — like around the kitchen counter — to keep the food away from pests and make it accessible for everyone.

If you want or need to serve food outside, keep all of the dishes covered. Use mesh domes, foil, lids, or plastic wrap to make it difficult for pests to get a taste. Don’t put the trash can right next to the food-serving area because flies could easily hop from the garbage to the food. When it comes to serving food, make it easy for guests and difficult for pests!

Offer a Bug-Free Basket

The basic idea behind this tip is to offer your guests tools to prevent bloodsucking pests. Mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas are most active in summer, so a Fourth of July party with a lot of people is sure to attract them. By using bug spray and electric fans, you can lower everyone’s chances of being bitten.

The bug spray should have DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to be most effective. No matter the spray you choose, it needs to be EPA-registered to be deemed effective against bugs and safe for people. The fans are not only great for a hot day, they’re also good at keeping weak-flying mosquitoes at bay.

This project can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be. You can just put a few bug sprays and fans in a basket and leave it near the seating area. If you’re feeling crafty, decorate the basket to your liking and make it eye-catching for the party.

Use Flowers and Essential Oils

If you’re still feeling creative, add some preventative decor! It won’t keep every single bug away, but it does help lower the number of invaders.

Certain flowers and herbs have pest-repelling properties because of their aromatic oils. These oils are released in the hot air, but you can manually free them by rubbing the leaves before putting them in mason jars or pots on the tables. Lavender, lemongrass, and fresh herbs are the most recommended.

In addition to these fresh plants, essential oils also help repel pests. That’s why natural bug sprays contain concentrated amounts of these oils. To make your own, fill a spray bottle with water and about 30 drops of oil. Spray your concoction around the seating areas to discourage flies, spiders, and mosquitoes.

The recommended oils are:

• Peppermint

• Rosemary

• Tea tree

• Lemongrass

• Thyme

• Eucalyptus

• Lavender

Light Citronella Candles

This relates to the previous tip, but citronella candles are even more well-known as preventative tools. Like any natural method, these candles aren’t perfect at repelling bugs. They definitely help reduce the number of bugs in your immediate vicinity. When it’s warmed, citronella oil repels mosquitoes and other flying bugs since they can’t stand the smell.

As your Fourth of July party gets into the sunset hour, place citronella candles on the tables near your guests. Be cautious of any obstacles that could touch the flame, like a tablecloth or tabletop decor. We suggest putting these candles in the middle of the tables to keep them away from young kids and pets. When these guidelines are followed, citronella candles create quite the ambiance!

Fire Up the Grill

If you were planning on grilling for this Fourth of July party, congratulations! You’re also going to prevent a lot of flying pests from getting close to your prepared dishes. Smoke deters mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. Make sure your grill is in an open space that’s free of overhanging tree branches and lights, and keep the dish of cooked food covered once it’s off the grill.

After you use the grill, use a wired BBQ brush to scrub the grease and food remnants off while the grill’s still warm. This removes a lot of food sources for hungry pests. Use the lid and durable cover to protect the grill in between uses. The worst way to start a backyard barbecue is with a pest invasion; mice love hiding in unprotected barbecues!

Choose Green to Celebrate the Red, White, and Blue!

There’s nothing wrong with DIY pest prevention — as evidenced by this post — but everything is far more effective when paired with professional services. At Green Pest Services, our team of licensed technicians solves every pest issue with a customized combination of treatments. We provide long-term solutions that continue protecting your home throughout that season.

Our general pest control services operate on a regular basis to refresh the treatments and assess the property for any new signs of pest activity. For a free quote on our tried-and-true services, contact us today!

Citations

Harney, C. (2024, July 1). How to have a pest-free 4th of July. Romney Pest Control. Available at https://romneypestcontrol.com/how-to-have-a-pest-free-4th-of-july/ (Accessed on June 24, 2025).

How to keep bugs away from your patio. (2022, December 2). Neighbor. Retrieved June 24, 2025, from https://www.hineighbor.com/blogs/the-journal/how-to-keep-bugs-away-from-patio?srsltid=AfmBOooq0TXqo9T8KfrE6u8XZa07I8rz3cdoxxfzNsbH53N7QiNSYTrr

Rodden, J. (2019, August 1). Celebrating a pest-free Fourth of July. Clark Pest Control. Available at https://www.clarkpest.com/residential-service-blog-old/celebrating-a-pest-free-fourth-of-july (Accessed on June 24, 2025).