Brews & Eats

Despite their popularity, beer breweries and bugs around them can cause problems for people. They can attract roaches, ants, and other bugs, which may lead to diseases. 

If you have problems with these bugs, you may want to learn how to get rid of them.

Why Are Bugs Attracted To Beer?

Despite the fact that beer is a popular beverage all around the world, many people still have questions about the chemistry behind beer’s attraction to bugs. 

Why are flies, cockroaches, and mosquitoes attracted to beer? 

A chemical called glycerol, made by yeast during fermentation, is the molecule that attracts flies. The molecule also stimulates the body’s temperature, which makes it a better target for mosquitoes. 

It also increases the amount of ethanol in sweat, which increases the mosquito’s attraction to the person.

Beer has also been used as a general purpose insect spray. It is also used to drown slugs and snails. These pests are a problem in many parts of the world. You can use a shallow dish filled with stale beer to trap these pests without using dangerous chemicals because beer scent is attracting them.

Another possible reason for beer’s attraction to bugs is the residual sugar. 

And What Are Beer Bugs?

Those of you who are familiar with beer will know that there are several types of bugs that can be found in beer. 

They are primarily agricultural pests. There are also bugs that can be found in cold-brew coffee stout. The most well-known bug is the four spotted sap beetle, also known as the picnic beetle. 

This is a small insect that feeds on damaged fruits. It is 1/4-inch long and has four yellowish dots on its wing covers. Another bug is the pleasing fungus beetle, which can be found on mushrooms and overripe strawberries. It produces alcohol and is toxic to competing fungi.

Another bug that can be found in beer is the cockroach. These insects are dirty and can spread E. Coli. They are also attracted to rags that have been soaked in beer.

How Do You Get Rid Of Beer Bugs?

Getting rid of beer bugs can be difficult, especially around the house. 

The bugs can be a nuisance indoors and outdoors, but they can also spread harmful bacteria. There are several different ways to control them. One of the best ways is to use beer as a pest repellent. 

The alcohol in beer repels insects. It also provides essential vitamins for plant growth. Another effective method is to use stale beer as a slug trap. Slugs are attracted to the sugars in beer. If you fill a shallow dish with stale beer, slugs will drown.

You can also make a pill bug trap. A pill bug trap is a plastic container filled with cornmeal. The pill bug will get trapped in the container and will not be able to digest the cornmeal. You can place the trap next to young plants or other locations where pill bugs are a problem.

You can also use beer as a fruit fly trap. You can use a small paper with a hole in it and place it over an open beer can. The fruit flies will fall into the beer.

Why Does Beer Attract Roaches?

They are not only attracted to the taste of it, but the sugar content in it as well. They also like the smell of it. The alcohol in it intoxicates them. And, it increases their body temperature, which is what cockroaches are looking for.

If you’re having problems with cockroaches, the best way to get rid of them is to eliminate their food source. Fortunately, beer can be a very effective pest control measure.

You can trap cockroaches by placing a beer can near the location where they live. If you can, cover the edges with soil, which will serve as a bait for the pests.

Another good beer bait is stale beer. The taste of stale beer can attract cockroaches and slugs. This can be done without using dangerous chemicals. Using saucers of beer to catch slugs can be effective as well.

Pest Problems In Beer Breweries

Whether you own a microbrewery, nanobrewery or a larger craft brewery, you need to take steps to minimize the potential for pest problems in your brewery. 

Not only can pest infestations cause costly repairs, they can also cause product contamination. This can negatively impact your operation’s bottom line. Breweries face a variety of pest problems, from fruit flies to rodents. 

These pests can contaminate raw ingredients and damage high value equipment. They can also spread diseases.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that breweries implement good manufacturing practices, including pest control. However, not every brewer will be able to survive in a highly saturated market.

While you might be tempted to use pesticides to eliminate these pests, it is important to note that the products can be toxic if they are used incorrectly. You should never use these products if you live in a house with children. They can also damage wildlife.

Pest problems in beer breweries can be prevented by keeping the area clean. 

Rodents And Beer Breweries

Keeping your brews clean and pest free can make a huge difference to your bottom line. 

But when it comes to keeping rodents at bay, you’ll need to invest in a bit of pest control knowhow. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can try to keep these little rodents at bay.

One of the most important tips to remember is to not let rodents have unfettered access to your brewery. This can be done by sealing off your dumpsters and putting them away from the exterior walls.

Another tip is to be careful when opening bags of your beer ingredients. This may seem like a no-brainer, but if you’re not careful, a small rodent can fit through the tiniest of pencil-sized gaps. This can result in a nasty surprise when you’re making your next batch of brew.

Keeping a close eye on your grain storage is also a good idea. Rats are attracted to high quality grain. And while you’re at it, keep your adjuncts and rice hulls out of the same vat.

While there are a number of ways to prevent and control rodents, one of the best ways is to invest in a professional pest control service. Not only will this help keep your brews clean and pest free, but it will also help keep your reputation safe and secure.