Happy National Grilling Month

It was no surprise to us that July is National Grilling Month. Summer is in full swing, it kicks off with the Fourth of July holiday and summer means longer days and more sunlight to enjoy. There’s a lot of reasons grilling is one of the best ways to prepare a meal. You’re enjoying your yard, it can be very cost effective and sometimes you can cook the entire meal all together over the same burners! Of course, we hope you’ve got a mosquito free yard to grill in (if not, what are you waiting for? Give us a call!), so in celebration of this glorious month, we thought we would share some tips and recipes.

General grilling tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling, and close to half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns. While nearly half of the people who grill do it year-round, July is not only National Grilling Month, it’s also the peak month for grill fires. To ensure you grill safe this month, here are some safety tips as you’re firing up the charcoal or propane grills.

  • Most grills should only be used outdoors. This goes for all charcoal and propane grills.
  • The grill should be placed away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep children and pets away from the grill area to avoid accidents.
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
  • Never leave your grill unattended.
  • If you’re using a propane grill and you smell gas, turn the burners and propane off. If you continue to smell gas, call 911 immediately and clear the area.

And now for the recipes!

You didn’t really think we would have a whole post on grilling without some of our favorite recipes, did you? If there’s one thing we love almost as much as being outside at Mosquito Joe, it’s food!

Grill Recipes“I’m a Buffalo NY Girl at heart and everyone from WNY (Western NY) knows what Chiavetta’s is! I order this stuff by the case and love to grill with it all summer long.  My go-to protein is chicken thighs marinated in Chiavetta’s for at least a couple of hours.”  ~ Jodi Ramoino

The Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burger is the next on our list, and according to Meghan it is “God’s gift to Earth.” (Seriously, those were her words. Must be pretty good!) You can check the recipe out over at SkinnyTaste. Who doesn’t love a good burger recipe that also isn’t too bad on your waistline?
Grilling Recipes Salmon

And from our resident foodie Kieran Scott, we bring you the Cedar plank salmon. As Kieran put it, “Y’all need this recipe in your lives. Enjoy. Serve with grilled asparagus and finish it off with watermelon. Perfect summer dish. Enjoy with a nice sweet tea vodka lemonade and you’ve got yourself a meal.” Don’t mind if we do!

Whatever you’re grilling this month, remember to follow our safety tips so you and your family have a delicious AND safe grilling experience. If you haven’t gotten on the schedule yet for our mosquito barrier treatments, we promise it’s the perfect addition to preparing and eating meals al fresco. Give your local Mosquito Joe a call and they’ll be happy to give you a free quote. Happy grilling, friends!

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5 Biggest Fourth of July Celebrations in the U.S.

5 Biggest Fourth of July Celebrations in the U.S.

The Fourth of July, one of America’s most beloved holidays, means the summer season is in full swing.  Warm weather, cookouts, fireworks, and families gathered together can make for the perfect day.  Not to mention, there’s no pressure to get anyone a gift, which makes it even better!  Wherever you live, chances are your community has a much-loved Independence Day tradition, whether it’s a parade down Main Street, a neighborhood barbecue, or a great fireworks display at night.  But a variety of reasons could take you out of town this year, which means missing some of your hometown Fourth of July charm.  Although you’ll probably find patriotic festivities at every turn, if you are lucky enough to be in these cities, you’ll be privy to some of the largest and most spectacular fireworks displays and celebrations in the country.

  1. Washington D.C. – It’s no surprise that the nation’s capital makes this list!  Hundreds of thousands of people fill the National Mall every July for the 17.5 minute show that can be seen from miles away.  The day leading up to the display is action-packed as well with a parade, United States Army Band concert, and Capitol Fourth concert.  Guests can also arrive hours early to visit the surrounding monuments.
  2. New York City– Macy’s 4th of July fireworks are the largest display in the country.  Lasting for over 25 minutes and attracting millions of attendees, these pyrotechnics boast over 50,000 effects.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Macy’s show and will be accompanied by a two-hour television special with guests such as Kenny Chesney and Meghan Trainor.
  3. Boston, Massachusetts – The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular gets national attention as well as one of the most extravagant in the country.  Pre-luded during the day by publicly televised countdown and concert, the fireworks display lasts over 20 minutes and can be seen from anywhere along the Charles River.  This year’s performers are Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas along with the Boston Pops.
  4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Considered the birthplace of America, Philadelphia boasts one of the largest 4th of July celebrations with its annual Wawa Welcome America event.  And don’t worry if you can’t make it on July 4th.  This celebration lasts all week long, this year from June 27 to July 4.  It includes special museum exhibits, fun runs and 5k races, outdoor movies, concerts, and ends with the fireworks display along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
  5. Addison, Texas – Independence Day is all about celebrating the underdog, right?  So, we’ll close out the list with a small town in Texas about 20 minutes north of Dallas: Addison’s Kaboom Town!  The event takes place every July 3 from 5pm to midnight in Addison Circle Park.  The day is filled with music and food along with the Addison Air Show.  The town of only 15,000 attracts over 500,000 visitors for the event, and the American Pyrotechnics Association has even dubbed it one of the best displays in the U.S.

Whether you’re staying at home or traveling elsewhere, we wish everyone a very happy Fourth of July!  You can check out more spectacular fireworks displays here.  Be sure to share your holiday pictures with us on Facebook (@mosquitojoe), and tell us how you celebrated.  And if you’re the lucky one hosting an Independence Day bash, don’t forget to call your local Mosquito Joe to make sure your yard and your guests are protected against mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks during the festivities.

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