Your backyard is a place of tranquility and respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. But it’s not always so peaceful out there. That’s because pests are invading your space, interfering with your leisure time, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Fortunately, there are ways to keep them away for good. In this article, you’ll learn what you can do to keep pests away for good.
- Use natural repellents and pest control methods.
There are various natural pest control methods that work great against different types of pests. For instance, if cucumber beetles have been annoying you, use a few mashed-up cloves of garlic to ward them away. While it may not smell pretty, it will help protect your garden from these harmful pests.
Alternatively, neem oil is another natural repellent that you can use. This is effective for repelling chinch bugs, squash vine borers, and Mexican bean beetles. You should only spray the oil on the leaves of your plants, as it may cause damage if applied directly to other parts of your garden Pest Zone Pest Control .
- Be mindful about where you store food.
This includes other edible goods that attract rodents like bees to honey. For instance, if you have a beehive in your garden, be sure to store your food away from it. If rats or skunks are frequenting fowl feeders, move them closer to the house. This way, pests will steer clear of your backyard and will instead head toward areas where they can find easy food sources.
- Eliminate any hiding places near the house.
This includes piles of firewood, old couches, and trash cans. This can help prevent pests from coming near your house in search of food. Additionally, eliminating these hiding places eliminates their breeding areas. Make sure to remove items that can store stagnant water, which is another breeding ground for mosquitoes. This includes broken-down toys, flower pots, and tires. Furthermore, you can hire pest and mosquito control services to exterminate larvae that can grow into disease-carrying insects.
- Encourage natural predators through habitat conservation.
Plants like nasturtiums are used to attract wasps, which are natural predators to caterpillars. If you want to attract more of these insects into your garden, plant some nasturtiums around the perimeter of your backyard. This will keep pests away from your plants while adding more beauty to the mix.
You can also add a pond where frogs and fish can reside. These are natural predators of mosquitoes and other insects, so if you want to keep them away, introduce these organisms into your garden. A few fish in your pond will keep the mosquito population down significantly.
- Keep up on yard work and gardening.
Cut back on any dead leaves or vegetation where pests can hide out during the day. This will discourage pests from coming around and will keep them from finding bugs to snack on. Also, keep up with weeding and pruning in order to allow better access to sunlight in your garden. This will help warm-blooded critters like caterpillars and spiders move out of those dark areas where they can hide during the day.
- Use a granular pest control product.
There are a number of granular pest control products on the market that can help you stop pests at their source. For instance, Sevin is a pesticide that destroys the nervous system in insects and kills them within 24 hours. It controls ants, beetles, earwigs, fleas, ticks, sowbugs, crickets, grasshoppers, slugs, snails, mites, and many other garden insects. When applied regularly (every month or two), these products prevent future pest infestations by eliminating any larvae that may be living in the soil. If you want to go organic with this approach, try using diatomaceous earth instead.
- Don’t wait to treat pests if their numbers increase dramatically.
If you notice that your garden is getting hit hard by pests, it may be time to call for professional help. This way, the professionals can come in and assess the damage and remove any insects without harming beneficial organisms living in your yard. Additionally, this will prevent harm to your garden’s plants and your family’s health.
- Enlist the help of your children.
You can get kids involved in pest management by letting them garden with you and teaching them about noxious weeds and beneficial plants. They’ll be interested in identifying pests and learning to recognize them so they can avoid stepping on spiders or picking up caterpillars during outdoor activities. They’ll also learn to use their own senses to determine what is safe for them to play with.
Pests can be a nuisance for any homeowner. They’re not only annoying, but they will take over your garden if you let them. Luckily, there are ways to discourage pests from entering your backyard without hurting the other animals that live in it as well. These tips should help you keep those pesky critters away from your precious plants and flowers while also keeping up on yard work and gardening.