Keeping Pests Off Your Deck and Patio This Summer in Northern Virginia

May 14, 2025

Nicely managed wooden deck. Grass is neat and trimmed.

Summer evenings in Northern Virginia are perfect for relaxing on the deck or enjoying a backyard barbecue on the patio. But nothing ruins outdoor enjoyment faster than uninvited pests like buzzing wasps, marching ants, or other bothersome bugs. While completely eliminating every insect is impossible, you can take steps to make your outdoor living spaces less attractive to them.

Here are some tips from your local experts at Blake’s Pest Control to help you reclaim your deck and patio this summer:

  1. Clean Up Food & Drink Spills Promptly: Sugary drinks, crumbs, and barbecue grease are huge attractants for ants, flies, and yellow jackets. Wipe up spills immediately and clean your grill regularly. Keep food covered when serving outdoors.
  2. Manage Trash Cans: Keep trash cans sealed tightly and locate them away from your primary seating or dining areas. Empty them frequently, especially after cookouts. Rinse recyclable containers to minimize sugary residue.
  3. Eliminate Standing Water: Even small amounts of standing water in pots, birdbaths, or clogged gutters can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes (Note: Blake’s Pest Control primarily handles general pests, but reducing standing water is always good advice). Ensure good drainage around your patio.
  4. Strategic Lighting: Bright white lights can attract moths and other nighttime insects. Consider using yellow “bug lights” or sodium vapor bulbs near seating areas, which are less attractive to many flying insects. Turn off decorative lights when not needed.
  5. Maintain Your Yard: Keep grass trimmed near the deck/patio. Remove piles of leaves, wood, or other debris where pests like spiders and crickets can hide. Trim tree branches and shrubs so they don’t touch the house or overhang seating areas (this also helps deter ants and rodents).
  6. Inspect for Nests: Regularly check under deck railings, eaves, umbrella stands, outdoor furniture, and playsets for wasp or hornet nests. If you find one, do not attempt DIY removal if it feels unsafe. Call Blake’s Pest Control for professional help – remember safety first!
  7. Discourage Ants: Look for ant trails leading onto your deck or patio. Clean the trails (vinegar/water solution can sometimes disrupt pheromones) and eliminate any nearby food sources. For persistent problems originating from the structure or foundation, professional treatment is needed.

How Blake’s Pest Control Can Help

Our exterior perimeter treatments can significantly reduce the number of crawling insects like ants and spiders around the foundation of your home, which often borders decks and patios. We can also directly treat ant infestations leading onto these structures or address wasp nests attached to your house.

Enjoy your Northern Virginia summer outdoors with fewer interruptions! If pests are consistently bothering your deck or patio, contact Blake’s Pest Control at 703-490-0081 to discuss targeted solutions.

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