How to Keep Pests Away from Your BBQ | Tips and Tricks for Pest-Free Backyard Grilling

It’s finally BBQ season and you’re planning your first big backyard barbecue. Food, décor, entertainment you have everything covered. Except. How do you avoid unwanted guests at the event? We’re not talking about Uncle Frank who hovers over the BBQ and tells you how to cook, even though he prefers his steak well done. No, we’re talking about how to avoid BBQ pests like insects and rodents. Keep reading to learn what to do when you have unwanted visitors and how to avoid them in the first place.

Why Do Pests Like Your BBQ?

What is it that creatures great and small love about your favorite outdoor cooking appliance? There are the obvious reasons, of course, it’s why you love your Napoleon BBQ right? But, barbecues are quiet and warm. They provide safe and sturdy, sheltered places that oftentimes have a food source. This, aside from the food, checks a lot of boxes for those cold winter months – especially if you put your BBQ in storage. Insects are also attracted to barbecues due to the proteins and sugars that are quite often present in BBQ cooking, as well as the smell of gas. Not to mention that they can easily gain access through the small openings. You’re likely to find wasps, ants, carpenter ants, flies, mosquitos, and spiders hanging around.

Party of people getting ready to eat at table outside

How to Keep Pests Out

So, how do you avoid BBQ pests around your grill, no matter the time of year?

How to Keep Rodents Out

Be sure to clean your BBQ after every use, give it a good brushing while hot, or better yet, turn on all of the burners and burn off any residue, then give it a good brush. Don’t forget to wipe down the side shelves and around the knobs.
Cover the BBQ when it isn’t in use and remember to keep the lid down.
Fill the openings, like where the power comes out or hoses go through, with steel wool. Do not fill anywhere in the manifold or front vents with steel wool.
Use essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, sage, thyme, cinnamon, lavender, citronella, and rosemary to deter anything from taking up residence. Soak cotton balls and place them in the corners of your BBQ or make a spray with witch hazel or vodka and 30 to 50 drops of oil. Spray this mixture around your BBQ station when you go to cook. Remember that your pets will be sensitive to these oils, and they may not be healthy for them.
If you choose to store your BBQ for the winter, storing it in a garage or shed is the best place. Try to keep the BBQ on a raised platform like some patio stones. Keep the BBQ covered well and store garbage, compost, and items that would make good bedding materials away from the area where you plan to store the BBQ.

Keeping Bugs Away

The same oils that work well on rodents also work as insect repellants. Never use essential oils as a natural insect repellant without diluting the oil and using a trusted recipe.
Ensure that standing water is swiftly removed around the outdoor spaces, including bird baths, low areas, and your eavestroughs. These are prime insect breeding areas.
Use fans to prevent flying insects from bothering you.
Keep the BBQ free of buildup that can attract insects when not in use.

Is it Safe to Use the BBQ After an Infestation?

Whether you stored your BBQ over the winter or just haven’t used it for a while, unwanted guests in the form of mice or rats may have taken up residence in your BBQ. Is it safe to use your BBQ after a rodent infestation? Although it’s a great excuse to invest in a shiny new Napoleon BBQ, yes, you can use your BBQ still. It just needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected properly before you cook your next meal.

How to Clear Your Barbecue After an Infestation

Wear glove. Grab a sturdy garbage bag and a paint scraper or putty knife.
Scrape any debris that is stuck to the grids, sear plates, valves/burners, and cross-light brackets into a garbage bag.
Scrape any greasy debris from the tub into the into the drip pan. From there you can scrape everything into the disposable grease tray, or carefully remove the drip pan and scrape everything into the garbage.
For easy cleanup, try our disposable drip pan liners.
Using the hottest water you can stand, cleaning vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap – preferably antibacterial – clean the grids, sear plates, burners, and cross-light brackets. Dry well and re-season the cooking grids as needed. Use a venturi brush to clean out the inside of the burners.
For the inside of the BBQ, dust with baking soda and spray with cleaning vinegar, or use a BBQ degreaser. Then, using water and dish soap, scrub out the inside of the BBQ.
Remove everything from the BBQ cabinet and spray the interior down with a metal-safe cleanser or use a fresh bucket of super-hot and soapy water to wash out all surfaces.
Dry everything and reassemble.
Fire up the BBQ to high on all burners. Let it heat on high for 15 to 20 minutes before shutting things down.
You are ready to get barbecuing again.

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A man getting his Barbecue ready for grilling season

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How to Avoid BBQ Pests

You’ve been careful, but you have a big backyard BBQ planned for next week. Here’s a quick checklist to ensure that you’re preventing pests while partying.

Landscape – mow the lawn, cut back shrubs, and remove overgrowth
No stagnant water, change out that birdbath
Use essential oil sprays around your seating, buffet, and barbecuing areas
Cover food until it’s being served
Use fans to make it hard for flying bugs
Remove fallen fruit from fruit trees
Keep all areas sanitary
Wear light, solid colours and encourage guests to do similar
Cover and seal garbage receptacles

Plant These For Natural Pest Repellant

We know that essential oils are fantastic at repelling unwanted guests whether you are hosting or just as preventative maintenance. However, did you know that your garden can be a helpful way to deter pests too? Plant these flowers for natural pest control and to prevent pests while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Lavender
Marigold
Bee balm
Cat mint
Citronella/lemon grass
Mint
Sage
Allium
Ageratum

BBQ Pest-Free

Keep your BBQ pest-free with these expert tips. Let's ensure our next outdoor gathering is bug-free and enjoyable for all! Are you ready to BBQ without unwanted guests crashing the party? Have you ever dealt with pests at a barbecue? What strategies did you use to keep them away? Share your stories and photos with us on social like our Facebook and Tiktok pages using the hashtag #Napoleongrills.

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