Pests are a genuine concern in any household when it comes to its residents’ health and safety. Generally, homeowners tend to focus on indoor solutions to prevent the occurrence of pests and mistakenly forget about possible outdoor causes and their simple solutions. Very often an improperly landscaped yard can contribute to the infestation by pests. However, with a little careful planning and regular observation this can be prevented very easily.
There are various elements in the yard that can be a safe-haven for the pests. Identifying these elements is the first step towards getting rid of lawn and/or household pests. In this matter, advice from a professional lawn pest control service and your trusted landscaper can be of great value. Together they can find the vulnerable or already affected areas of your lawn and provide immediate solutions. However, along with their expert advice a homeowner should keep these few points in mind.
- Be Careful with Water Features
We all know that mosquitoes love standing water as it plays host to their eggs and larvae. Elements like decorative ponds, fountains, birdbaths or pools can be a favorite spot for mosquito breeding. Therefore it is mandatory to change these waters every week or at least twice in a month. Keep the water in the fountains in flowing motion and make sure that the water in swimming pool circulates regularly. This will keep mosquitoes away and your family safe from mosquito borne diseases. - Keep the Trees Away From Building
Trees and certain plants attract pests like ants, rats, possums, and many other rodents that can carry and spread diseases. These pests can enter into the house through the branches of trees that touch the walls of the house. To avoid this nuisance plant the vulnerable trees away from the building walls. Surrounding the building with a stone pave way of around 36 inch is a good idea to deter the pests from entering into the house. - Protective Layer Can Be Dangerous Too
We often cover the lawn with different types of mulch to protect the plants. They often act as a nest for many pests and offer a favorable condition for their living. Organic mulch has maximum potential to attract pests especially rats and bugs as they can retain more moisture than others. Cedar mulch is a great alternative as it is proved to fend off pests like ants. - Proper Placement of Decorative Pieces
Decorating the lawn with different pieces like statues or stone structures is quite common. Stones or stone statues have a tendency to trap moisture and stay cool. This particular characteristic creates a hospitable environment for many pests. So it is wise to place these stone elements at a distance from your building. - Regular Lawn Care Maintenance
It is very important to keep an eye on the condition of the garden every now and then. Keeping the lawn and garden clean, litter-free, installing proper drainage system and cutting long grasses and weeds regularly help in preventing the pests from finding their way into the house. Improper use of nutrients and incorrect soil pH can too play a spoil sport in your mission of pest control.
Taking into consideration your landscaping design and maintenance can be an important part of your pest control endeavor. Spring is the best time to start this work as summer is most vulnerable to pest infestation.
