How do I get rid of flies around my BBQ? Here are some tips for BBQ fly control.
If you’re planning on grilling some meat anytime soon, you’ll need the tips on keeping flies away from your grill.
While these flies can’t handle the heat that comes with the process, you’re likely to find them hovering around, which can still be annoying. So, how does one keep flies from BBQ?
How to Keep Flies Away While Grilling
While trying to have outdoor fun, you’re likely to encounter some form of disruption to your enjoyment from bugs. This is more so when food or grilling is involved.
Barbequing tends to attract a lot of flies which can be gross and problematic if you cannot keep them at bay.
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Why Flies are drawn to BBQ
Besides steaks and burgers, many food recipes can also go on a grill.
These include cheese, vegetable kabobs, corn on cobs, onion wrapped in bacon, pizza, pork chops, beef tenderloin sandwich, salmon, and a whole lot of other food types.
Now one undeniable fact is the attraction of flies to food. In controlled environments like indoors, there’s better management of the fly situation as these are easily kept out.
However, doing the same outdoors can prove difficult without the proper knowledge.
The problem with having flown around during BBQ is the easy spread of germs. Besides being a nuisance, flies can spread germs and disease-causing bacteria like listeria, salmonella, and E. coli, amongst others.
Luckily, we’ve provided detailed and helpful information to help you go about your BBQ without stress from flies.
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Are Bug Zappers Helpful?
You have a long list of options for fly control, including specially designed devices like bug zappers.
While this device might offer some relief from flies, it’s best to make the barbeque area unwelcoming using natural repellent options. This isn’t trying to say bug zappers don’t work. They do.
You may be interested in a more humane fly control approach, of which several options exist. Plus, these don’t cost a fortune to get. For some of these repellents, a few minutes is all you need to prepare.
All of that is discussed below.
Keeping Flies at Bay
To have a peaceful barbeque session, flies can be kept at bay using a variety of measures or techniques. These include the water bag technique, fly traps, steno gel, vinegar, and meat & pint jar.
You’ll need to stick with us while we explain these fly repellent techniques.
i. The Water Bag Technique
One technique that has seemed to gain popularity over the years is the water bag method.
As the name implies, you’ll need a Ziploc bag, some shiny pennies or coins, water, salt, paper clips, and a bottle of lime juice. With these items all obtained, you’re ready to prepare your fly repellent.
Add 2 ½ cups of water to an empty bowl, followed by two teaspoons of salt, and mix until fully dissolved.
To this mixture, add three squirts of lime juice. This helps to keep the coins shiny. Mix and pour into your Ziploc bag until it is ¾ full. Lastly, drop your coins (3 to 5 coins should be okay) into the bag.
Now your paper clip will come in handy. Seal up the bag and attach the paper clip to the bag. This prepares it for hanging wherever you want to. Of course, the BBQ location is where you’ll need to place this natural repellent.
Hang to a tree or whatever support is around, and flies will keep their distance.
So, is there any explanation about why this strategy works? While the science behind this simple technique has largely remained unknown, the good part is people attest to its efficiency in keeping flies at bay.
You might want to give this a shot if trying it does no harm.
ii. Using Fly Traps
There are tons of fly traps available for purchase.
These are designed to lure in and trap flies, thus helping to make your BBQ session more enjoyable. Some sticky types release an aroma to draw flies in, after which they cannot escape.
Some great fly traps include Flies Be Gone, Bug Ball Starter, FlyFix Fruit Fly Trap, Catchmaster Bug & Fly Trap, and Safer Brand Victor Fly Magnet.
More traps include the Starbar Fly Terminator Pro, the Rescue Disposable Fly Trap, and many others.
To have the best results, you’ll need to use these traps precisely as instructed by the manufacturer. These are most effective when used correctly.
All you have to do is set them around your barbeque area while doing your regular business.
If none of the traps mentioned appeals to you, you could perform a simple online search to find your most preferred fly trap. The good thing with most fly traps is that they can be used multiple times.
iii. Steno Gel
Steno gel also works to keep flies at bay. This knowledge will prove to be helpful during an outdoor cookout or BBQ. By heating this cooking oil, flies are quickly repelled.
So, set this up around your barbeque area to give you the much-needed relief you seek from flies.
iv. Vinegar
Vinegar has also been beneficial for combating several pest issues, including flies.
This might sound a bit contradictory because the smell of vinegar attracts flies. However, knowing how to put this to good use can help trap these flying creatures.
In other words, you only need to make a trap using vinegar as bait. Add ½ cup of vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. Mix and have the bowl containing the solution covered with plastic wrap.
This wrap should be secured using rubber bands.
Next, puncture the plastic wrap to make the vinegar smell escape. These holes also serve as entry points for flies that come around to feast. Before long, the result becomes evident.
Keeping flies away from BBQ can be achieved using any of the abovementioned techniques. You can also combine some of these strategies for faster results if you wish.