Spring brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and a desire to spend time outside. Whether it’s for a backyard barbecue or a baseball game, spring is the time to be outside.
Unfortunately, we aren’t the only creatures enjoying the new weather. Countless types of insects thrive when warmer weather comes around.
If you want to enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about creepy crawlies, keep reading for five backyard pest control tips everyone needs to know.
1. Keep Your Grass Cut
Certain types of insects like tall grass, so one of the best ways to get rid of bugs outside is to consistently trim your lawn. As a general rule of thumb, you should keep your grass around three inches tall. This will cut down on the number of bugs taking up residence in your yard and also help keep your lawn healthy all season.
Be sure to property prune any trees or shrubs, as well.
2. Remove Breeding Areas
One of the most important steps to limit outdoor bugs is to remove their areas of breeding. Mosquitoes, for example, breed in standing pools of water. This includes swimming pools, ponds, and areas with poor drainage.
If you have areas in your yard that don’t drain and you don’t know how to fix them, be sure to contact professional landscapers. And, if you have a pond or pool, make sure you have a strong pump to circulate the water to discourage breeding.
Taking these steps will leave you with a bug-free yard.
3. Maintain Grassy Areas
In addition to regular trimmings, keeping your yard maintained in other ways will help limit outdoor bugs. Our maintenance suggestions:
- Water your yard properly and aerate the lawn once a year.
- Using fertilizer is also a good idea if you want to achieve luscious, green grass.
- If you struggle to keep your lawn looking vibrant and green, consider sodding or seeding to get that perfect outdoor area.
4. Limited Scents and Fragrances
Insects like wasps and yellowjackets love fragrances, including perfume, candles, and food items. If you want to limit the chance of these insects making nests on your property, avoid using scented shampoo and perfume before an outdoor event.
If you are hosting, always provide clear glasses for your guests. Soda and beer cans—or even just plastic bottles—are often perfect spots for stinging insects to hide.
Furthermore, keep any food sealed, and always keep your garbage as far away from the party area as possible.
5. Chemical Backyard Pest Control
One final tip to handle backyard insects is to use environmentally safe chemical pesticides. Although some options will kill many different types of bugs, they can also be harmful to pets and other wild animals. That’s why it’s important to look for a pesticide that will handle your problem insect without harming the environment or any furry creatures.
Finding ways to safely deal with insects in your yard isn’t always easy, but it’s always possible with the help of a professional.
Handle Your Backyard Insects Now
Have some additional questions about backyard pest control? Want to chat with the experts about other ways to maintain your outdoor space? Contact us to learn more!