Summer in New York City brings sunshine, outdoor dining, and packed patios—but it also brings a surge in flying insect activity. From flies buzzing around restaurant kitchens to stinging insects nesting near outdoor seating areas, these pests pose a real threat to businesses during the warmer months.
Whether you manage a bar, café, park, or event venue, keeping flying insects away from your property is essential to maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment.
In this blog, we’ll share five effective ways to reduce flying insect activity and protect your customers, staff, and reputation.
Flies, mosquitoes, bees, and wasps all become more active as temperatures rise. These pests seek out food, moisture, and shelter—making restaurants, dumpsters, drains, and outdoor trash bins prime targets.
In foodservice environments, flies can contaminate surfaces and products, spreading harmful bacteria. Outdoors, wasps and bees can create a safety hazard for guests and employees. All it takes is one negative review or social media post to damage your brand.
That’s why proactive pest management is key.
Flying insects aren’t just annoying—they can be costly. In food establishments, fly activity is a red flag for health inspectors and can lead to violations, fines, and even temporary closures. Meanwhile, stinging insects like wasps may drive customers away from patios, beer gardens, or park concessions.
And in the age of smartphones, a video of pests near your business can spread faster than the insects themselves.
Flies often breed in drains, mop buckets, garbage bins, and grease traps. Mosquitoes breed in standing water—even something as small as a bottle cap. Keep these areas clean and dry, and treat drains regularly with professional-grade products to prevent fly larvae from developing.
Food waste is a magnet for flying pests. Make sure outdoor dumpsters are tightly sealed and located away from doors and loading areas. Inside, empty trash frequently and clean bins often. Compost containers and recycling areas should be monitored just as closely.
If your property includes patios, courtyards, or outdoor amenities, inspect regularly for wasp nests and hornet activity. Use decoy nests or preventative treatments in early summer to deter colonization. For high-traffic outdoor zones, consider installing fly-repelling fans or bug zappers to keep guests comfortable.
Flying insects love easy access. Equip doors with air curtains, install tight-fitting screens, and keep entryways closed as much as possible. Loading docks and delivery zones should also be monitored to prevent frequent pest entry.
Professional pest control is your best defense. At RJM, our team provides proactive inspections, drain treatments, exterior wasp deterrents, and ongoing monitoring to keep your commercial space fly- and sting-free—especially during the high-risk summer season.
From flies in the kitchen to wasps in the beer garden, flying insects are more than a nuisance—they’re a liability. With the right prevention plan, you can keep your business safe, compliant, and guest-ready all summer long.
At RJM Pest Services, we help New York’s top commercial properties stay protected with proactive, discreet, and results-driven pest solutions.
Contact us today or follow us on LinkedIn for expert tips and seasonal updates.