To keep your home and garden pest-free, there are several preventative methods you can use to avoid infestations. Keeping your spaces, both indoors and out, clean and clutter-free can go a long way toward managing possible pests. Being prepared, careful planning, and scheduled maintenance checks are just some ways to keep these unwanted critters under control. Here are five top practical tips for maintaining a pest-free home and garden.
Beneficial Bugs
Every pest has a predator to counter it. By luring beneficial insects that consume pest insects to your garden, you may keep harmful pests under control. Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and lacewings are just a few examples of helpful insects that naturally control pests by eating them or utilizing them to feed (and house) their young. The more pest-eating insects you have around, the better your chances are of keeping pests under control.
Though many people have phobias when it comes to spiders, many of these creatures are beneficial for controlling pest infestations. When it comes to ants, people find it difficult to distinguish between ants that are a problem and those that are good for the environment. Ants make up a significant portion of the ecosystem. Nevertheless, certain ant species are viewed as pests. If you have a serious ant problem, you might need to get help with ant removal from a professional pest exterminator.
Plan Carefully
Certain herbs can be planted to deter pests. Dill, cilantro, and parsley are known to attract helpful insects that aid in controlling pests. Citronella, lemongrass, mint, basil, and fennel also help keep undesirable insects at bay. Pests are more likely to attack certain kinds of plants than others. Selecting the proper pest-resistant vegetable cultivars will help prevent pests.
Cover Up
Your flower and vegetable gardens can suffer damage not only from smaller pests but also from birds, deer, chipmunks, and groundhogs. Building a fenced enclosure is a possible solution in this case. You should also consider covering your plants with netting to prevent birds from helping themselves to your crops. If cutworms are a concern, use plant collars to cover the base and roots of your plants. You can even make covers from metal hoops and cloth to cover individual plants.
Bins are another thing that should be covered, or at least tightly closed. This can prevent critters from getting inside and tipping it over. Trash is a common food source for bugs and other animals, so it is advisable to keep bins out of reach.
Keep It Clean
Cleaning your entire home on a regular basis is the most crucial factor in ensuring that pests do not enter your home. Pests of many kinds, e.g., rodents, cockroaches, ants, and others, love dirty environments and thrive there. Because of this, it’s crucial to routinely clean your home to remove dust and other items that can attract these intruders. Above all, you must maintain a spotless kitchen. Nothing draws pests in quite like food leftovers, spilled food, and dirty surfaces.
Ensure that your grass is mowed regularly to prevent it from becoming tall enough to serve as an insect hideout. Ticks prefer long grass so they can attach to passing humans and animals. Trim your bushes and trees to ensure that rodents cannot hide themselves in overgrown areas.
Home Maintenance
Check the entire home, including the backyard, for potential pest entry points. Look for rips in window and door screens, foundation and wall problems, and gaps in the windows. The smallest holes allow entrance points for insects and rats. Patch up any holes and crevices. Check your utility pipes because rats can fit through them. Always keep your patio and yard clutter-free. Make sure your storage spaces are organized and avoid storing boxes on the ground.
Keep bricks, stones, firewood, and other lumber at least 20 feet away from your house. They provide refuge and food for pests if they are too close to your house.
Sort out any damp issues in your home and garden. Pests are drawn to dampness, and insects like cockroaches seek out those warm, humid places to hide out until the winter months pass. Try to keep the windows in the kitchen and bathroom open to ensure proper ventilation.
By following these five practical tips, you can protect your family, home, and garden. Don’t let pests get the better of you.
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