During the warm months of summer and even the cooler months of fall, many people enjoy busting out their barbecues and enjoying some grilled food and quality time with loved ones. Unfortunately, when it comes to barbecues colorado grill-lovers find themselves battling with rodents each year.

Specifically, rodents tend to enjoy burrowing themselves inside grills, which is not only unsanitary, but can become a dangerous situation. Fortunately, there are steps anybody can take to deter rodents from getting into their grills.

Clean Grill After Each Use The single best way to go about preventing rodent problems around a barbecue grill is to simply keep the grill as clean as possible at all times. This means taking the time to thoroughly clean the grill out after each use. Specifically, be sure to use a wire brush to scrape the grill grates clean and to remove the grates after each use to clean food particles out from underneath. Yes, this will take a bit more effort, but it will work wonders in deterring from rodents from trying to get food from the grill itself. Keep Grills Tightly Covered Having a grill cover is always recommended, as having one will help to keep the grill clean and protected from the elements (such as rain, which can cause some grills to rust).

However, a grill cover can also help to keep rodents out from getting into the grill in the first place. Specifically, when shopping for a grill cover, look for one that fits snugly to the grill itself. Ideally, a grill cover with tie downs or other means of securing to the unique shape of the grill itself is best. Store Grills in a Safe Place Even with a tight grill cover, it's still possible for small rodents (such as mice) to get into the grills. This is where it might be best to store the grill in a safe, indoor location when not in use. Keep in mind that this is not advised with propane grills (as propane tanks should never be kept indoors), but it can be a viable solution for keeping rodents out of smaller charcoal grills. A small shed or even a garage could be a good place to keep a grill when it's not in used as a means of getting rid of persistent rodent issues.