Keeping Your Outdoor Spaces Pest-Free: The Step-by-Step Guide
Here are a few strategies to put into practice to keep your outdoor spaces pest-free.
21/11/2020
With bees buzzing in your ear and mosquitoes feasting your flesh, it can be difficult to sit back and enjoy your luxurious outdoor patios, in-ground pools, and outdoor cooking spaces. That said, regardless of the season, you'll want to invest in your pest control strategy. How can you ensure a pest-free outdoor patio? Recruit pest control professionals like Moxie Pest Control.
However, if you choose to forgo professional pest control services, you could opt for the below DIY outdoor space pest control strategies.
How to keep your outdoor spaces pest-free
Are you one of the people that spend considerable time in your backyard? If so, you are likely to have noticed a host of insects sharing space with you. Mosquitoes, flies, wasps, bees, and other bothersome pests flying around can quickly ruin your outdoor moments.
While it's daunting to avoid insects altogether, there are a few tricks you can adopt to keep off insects from your outdoor spaces.
Keep your patio clean and your yard mowed and tidy
Sweep up any crumbs and spills that could attract ants and other insects. Regularly mow your yard to ensure that grass doesn't grow tall to become a hiding den for insects. Ticks like grass, so that they can stick on passing animals and humans. Mosquitoes love tall grass as they like relaxing there. Shrubs and bushes could attract rodents that will end up indoors.
Clear standing water
Standing water is a perfect breeding site for insects such as mosquitoes. Unblock gutters and downspouts that could encourage water to collect. Ensure that buckets, kiddie pools, and watering cans are empty when not in use. Otherwise, these could quickly turn into mosquitoes' maternity wards.
If you have a birdbath, ensure that you get one that uses running water. The aim is to eliminate chances of standing water, which becomes mosquitoes' breeding grounds.
Install patio fans
A mosquito bite is itchy, but they are feeble creatures when subjected to a bout of breeze. With a flip of a switch, patio fans keep mosquitoes and other flying insects at bay. And while at it, you will enjoy a cool, insect-free breeze.
Add bug-deterrent landscaping
Bugs shudder at the smell of strong scents of plants like mint or citrus. Consider these plants in your landscape, especially near the patio, swimming pool, or on the deck. They will add beauty as well as functionality. Other pest-repelling plants you can consider include:
- ● Catnip and basil: mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and roaches
- ● Lavender and citronella: moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes
- ● Marigold, rosemary, and lemon thyme: mosquitoes
Mulch just enough
Mulching makes your curb more appealing. However, overdoing it gives cockroaches and ants nesting grounds as they plot a comeback to your house. Furthermore, when mulch decomposes, temperature increases, which could encourage rodents to tunnel into your house.
In light of the above, keep mulch at least 12 inches from the base of your home. You could also use inorganic mulch like rock or gravel.
Remember that little or no mulch isn't ideal either—yellow jackets like building nests in the bare, dusty ground.
Refresh your lighting
Replace white bulbs with orange or yellow bulbs. For your paint, choose light colors as opposed to bright or dark colors. Studies show that a light-colored background could repel bugs. To keep off pesky birds, avoid using paint that resembles their favorite food.
One piece of advice: whatever color choice you pick, make sure it accentuates the neighborhood and enhances your home's beauty. Otherwise, don't hurt your home's value in the name of fighting off pests.
Making your patio pest-free during winter
Don't forget about winter-pest proofing your patio. Whereas mosquitoes, flies, and other flying insects disappear during winter, mice, spiders, and roaches could be crawling into your home. To shelter away from the cold, these pests would be too elated to find your warm, cozy home.
Below are some ways to keep your outdoor spaces pest-free even when the patio is no longer usable due to extreme weather conditions.
Sealing off access
Seal cracks and holes to restrict rodents and other pests from entry. Check your utility pipes as they are big enough for rats to fit through.
Declutter
Always keep your yard and patio clutter-free. Mice like hiding in the trash. Ensure that your storage areas are aptly-organized and that boxes are not stored on the ground.
Store firewood away from your patio
When your firewood is piled up, mice and ants could make nests and eventually gain access into your home. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home.
Parting shot
It has cost you hundreds, if not thousands, to keep your outdoor space in tip-top condition. That said, don't let pests spoil your patio fun. If the above DIY efforts don't bear intended fruits, don't shy off from engaging professional exterminators. Choose pest control companies that are customer-oriented and those that use approved pesticides that ensure the safety of you, your loved ones, and your pets.