Your backyard is an attractive and elegant extension of your home. It can provide your property with natural beauty and value, but it can be hard to care for when you are not sure where to begin. Pests can cause a lot of trouble in many areas of your garden, but knowing how to prepare for them can allow you to optimize the area’s health. Below is a list of tips to help prevent pests from taking over your yard.
Keep Your Yard Clean
One of the best ways to keep pests away is to keep your yard clean. This means keeping your lawn mowed as well as finding and removing any debris around the area and keeping your flower and vegetable beds tidy. When you take a proactive approach to your garden’s health, you are making it far more difficult for pests to find a place to live and breed. Preventative care is often critical to your ecosystem’s health.
Install a Fence
A fence can do wonders to help keep pests out of your yard. Try to install a fence that is at least five feet high, as it will make it difficult for animals like raccoons and squirrels to get into your yard. Think about what materials and aesthetics you want to choose for your fence as well, as the installation can provide your backyard with visual benefits, as well as practical ones.
Use Pest-Proof Materials Around the Garden
If you are planning on having many beds for your flowers and plots for your trees, it is important to select the appropriate materials for their construction. Think about using pest-proof systems like metal or plastic when you are planning around your garden, especially if you have a lot of wood-chewing nuisances like termites around. These sections will make it harder for insects and other pests to thrive around your plants.
Identify Insect Hotspots
Certain parts of your backyard may be more likely to attract pests compared to others. For example, mosquitos like to spend time around water, so it’s best to prevent moisture from pooling in your yard. If you aren’t sure what is drawing pests to your yard, consider hiring a mosquito control specialist. These experts know exactly what parts of your property could be attracting pests to your property.
Use Plants that Repel Pests
There are certain plants that can help repel pests from your backyard. Some of these plants include lavender, peppermint, and lemon balm. By planting these flowers and herbs in your yard, you will be able to keep pests away without using pesticides. Many of these options can also beautify your yard, making them perfect choices for those who have not yet gotten started on their garden space.
Be sure to work around any natural landmarks that already exist on your property to maximize the desired effect. Naturally occurring boulders and trees can be perfect for deterring pests, and they can be easily worked into your fences and barriers to create a difficult terrain for pests to navigate.