6 Tailgate Pests That Ruin The Party

Summary: Tailgate parties are a great way to enjoy football season, but pests often invite themselves to these food-centric parties. This blog lists 6 pests, each one paired with an explanation of why they invade tailgates and what makes them a worrisome pest. The pests are: stinging insects, flies, ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and spiders. Afterwards, there is a list of the best ways to prevent pests from ruining a tailgate party, and the list is separated into two parts to help both outdoor and indoor parties. The article ends with Pointe Pest Control’s efficient services being described as a homeowner’s best bet at preventing pests this fall.

Football season is here once again, and you know what that means! Not only do we get to hear the great introductory music on each of the major networks — NFL on Fox’s is unmatched — but tailgates are back in fashion. Football is a great tailgating sport because the weather is cooler, the party food is hot, and the game is thrilling.

That being said, one type of guest that isn’t welcome at any tailgate party is pests. They contaminate our food and frustrate our guests, aka the opposite goals of a party. Thankfully, it’s possible to enjoy a tailgate relatively pest-free. The key is knowing your opponents (or pests), so let’s discuss 6 common tailgate pests before we dish easy ways to defend your tailgate.

Stinging Insects

Stinging insects can ruin a tailgate faster than the announcement that there’s no more chicken wings. Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets will invite themselves to the party for one of two reasons. One, their nest is disturbed and they’re angry about it. Hornets and wasps keep their nests elevated, while yellow jackets nest in the ground. And two, they seek out food that’s rich in sugar and/or protein. Barbecued meats and sugary drinks are exactly what stinging insects need for their growing colonies. The longer the food sits unprotected, the more likely you are to see these pests.

Flies

This might’ve been the pest you thought of when we said “tailgate pests,” and for good reason. Houseflies can travel 20 miles away in pursuit of food, and they can pick up a scent from miles away. They’re already annoying, but houseflies are more harmful than they seem. Since they spend most of their lives in rotting material and garbage, flies carry an immense amount of bacteria on their bodies. Once they walk on your food, they transfer their bacteria to that food item. This bacteria is linked to food poisoning symptoms in humans, so we recommend throwing away anything that flies walked all over with their grimy feet.

Ants

Where there’s open food, ants are sure to follow. Worker ants are in constant search of food that is safe for their colony. Since they can carry up to 5,000 times their own body weight, ants are able to retrieve sugary and protein-filled items larger than themselves! Similar to stinging pests, ants prefer the tailgate’s grilled meats and sweet drinks. Once worker ants find a food source, they lead their fellow workers to the same meal by leaving a trail of pheromones. These invisible scent chemicals point the ants in the right direction, which means you could have an army of hungry guests before long — and we’re not talking about your college buddies.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are typically a problem until mid-October, so we have a little while until these pests are gone for the year. They love the humidity, which means a warm tailgate party might see some female mosquitoes searching for their own protein. They’re most active around dusk and dawn. As a side note, you won’t be as appealing to mosquitoes if your arms and legs are covered, so don’t be afraid to layer up! After consuming our blood, the female mosquito lays her eggs in a bit of fresh water. If there’s a lot of puddles or overwatered grass near your tailgate, mosquitoes might be joining the fun.

Fruit Flies

We talked about the troubles with houseflies, but fruit flies are entirely different issue. They only eat organic food that’s fermented or rotten. This includes overripe fruit and vegetables, as well as alcoholic beverages that sit out for too long. Fruit flies follow their own scent trail to the fermented food and lay their eggs (up to 500 at once!) in the food source. By the end of the tailgate, that plate of burger toppings and the near-empty beer bottles are the ideal food sources for pesky fruit flies. We suggest rinsing out all cans and bottles before recycling them, and throwing out any leftovers that aren’t worth saving.

Spiders

This might be a surprising addition to this list, but spiders can actually be found at many tailgates. If there are a lot of spiders at yours — we really hope not! — there are pre-existing pest issues nearby that attracted the arachnids. Spiders only live where they have steady food, so a bug-populated parking lot is perfect. The good news about spiders is that they don’t want anything to do with us. But the bad news is that some spiders bite when they’re threatened or disturbed. Black widows and brown recluses have venomous bites, so please seek medical attention if you or anyone in your party is bitten.

Block Pests From Ruining Your Tailgate

Outdoor tailgates are right in the homeland of pests, so it’s trickier to keep them away from your delicious food. And if your tailgate is indoors (is it still considered a tailgate?), you still run the risk of attracting pests and allowing them inside. No matter where your tailgate takes place, it is possible to keep the number of invasive pests down to a minimum.

For outdoor tailgates, we recommend doing these tasks to keep pests away from your setup:

• Keep all the food covered. After your guests load up their plates, keep all food containers covered to prevent pests. Lids, foil, dish towels, and plastic wrap are great covers.
• Use bug spray. Have bug spray available for everyone if the weather is warm. Mosquitoes and biting pests thrive in heat and humidity, so bug spray repels them from the area.
• Choose a great location. If it’s possible, set up your tailgate away from any restrooms, trash cans, and still water. These are all pest havens!

We didn’t forget about your indoor parties! These are the easiest ways to prevent pests from ruining your indoor tailgate:

• Maintain the garbage. Place a couple of trash cans around the party area for easy access. Keep all food waste in the trash cans, and take out the bags once they’re full.
• Clean any spills immediately. You don’t have to clean every little spill during the party, but cleaning a spilled drink or pile of crumbs eliminates a pest’s food source.
• Use a fan. If you notice a lot of flies are getting into your space, set up a floor fan near the doors. Flying insects can’t fight the breeze!

Score A Touchdown With Pointe’s Efficient Solutions

We won’t be able to attend your tailgates, but the expert technicians of Pointe Pest Control can still protect your home or business from these hungry pests! We begin every service with a thorough property inspection to find all areas of pest activity. Our experienced team then creates a treatment plan that’s customized to solve your pest problems as safely and efficiently as possible. Pests don’t take a vacation once it’s autumn, so it’s important to guard your home against invasive pests that are trying to escape the cold weather. Contact us today to learn more about how Pointe will keep you pest-free all year long!

Citations

Pests a nuisance during tailgate season. (2010, August 31). Pest Control Technology. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://www.pctonline.com/article/truly-nolen-football-tailgating-pest-tips/

Potter, M.F. (n.d.). Fruit flies. Entomology at the University of Kentucky. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef621

Protect your tailgate party from pests. (2016, June 30). Global Newswire. RetrievedSeptember 16, 2024, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2016/06/30/1098269/0/en/Protect-Your-Tailgate-Party-From-Pests.html