Pest control is more than just chemicals and traps; it also includes home maintenance. In addition to keeping the inside of your home clean, maintaining your landscaping can make a huge difference in the number of insects and pests you see in and around the house. Follow these landscaping tips to keep bugs at bay on your property:
Trim back trees and bushes. Branches make great bridges for pests to enter the house. The best way to prevent this is by trimming them back. Branches from trees and bushes should be at least six feet away from the home. If these are any closer, bugs have a straight shot to enter your home.
Apply mulch properly. Pests love the organic materials found in mulch and often use it for their homes. If you use mulch around your home, ensure it is only two to three inches deep. This will allow airflow to reach the soil and prevent moisture build-up that attracts bugs. If mulch is laid near the home, allow six inches between the foundation of the house and the mulch to reduce pest access.
Store firewood away from the home. Stacked firewood is the perfect home for many bugs and pests, and keeping firewood close to your house increases the risk that they will find their way into your home. Firewood should be stored off the ground at least 20 to 30 feet from your house. Keep firewood covered to reduce the moisture in the wood; that also attracts bugs.
Cut grass regularly. Bugs love to burrow in the grass, and mowing your lawn regularly can help eliminate those hiding spots. If you are having your yard sprayed for pests, shorter grass also allows the treatments to reach the soil more easily.
Plant bug-repelling plants. Certain plants are known to repel bugs, and planting them in your yard can give you a leg up on pest prevention. Chrysanthemums keep away ants, roaches, silverfish, and fleas; lavender repels mosquitos and flies; spearmint and artemisia protect against ants and beetles.
A multi-layered approach is often needed to keep a home bug-free. Home Pro Pest Control works with our customers to create individual pest management plans that include both reduced-risk pesticides and natural measures. To learn more about our services and schedule a free inspection.