It might surprise you to find out that the insects and wildlife that occupy your structure can be directly impacted by the landscaping on your property. Ground cover (including mulch), low-lying plants, trees, bushes, and other landscaping components can all affect the number of pests that will find a place to stay hidden on your property.
Although many landscapers suggest low-maintenance plants for your property, they may be among the most appealing to insects and other pests who may find your property’s conditions appealing. While some landscaping elements are suggested to help minimize pest issues, others should be avoided when it comes to the outside of your building. Click here to get springtime pest control and landscaping tips from experts.
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What should you do if your garden shrubs are luring insects into your home?
Should you have trees within your property, inspect the types of trees, their age, their health, and their proximity to buildings. Otherwise, the majority of the trees are fruit, seeds, nuts or flowers and can all be fodder for many pests. If you have trees that have overhanging branches that touch nearby structures, the pests could simply leave the leaves of the tree and access your structure by landing on the overhanging branches. Even if the tree does not come in contact with an electrical line, trees can provide a path to electrical lines leading to your building. When maintaining outdoor spaces, Full Form Guide offers useful guidance on understanding tree safety, placement, and how proper inspection can help prevent pest and structural issues.
How can ants enter your home?
Although shrubs have seasonal flowers, they can attract insects. Some ants are drawn to aphids that eat plants. Rodents and any of the pests trying to find a hiding place may be attracted to densely planted shrubs with leaves that hang down to the ground like lipstick. Also, take into consideration that shrubs that are planted right next to your building have created a seamless entryway for these pests to make their way into your building.
How can termites enter your home?
Termites and other pests may find ground cover and mulch, such as hardwood bark and shredded wooden pallets, appealing. Although there are other mulch and ground cover choices that are less appealing to pests, such as shredded tire mulch and synthetic pine needles, a stone or gravel border surrounding your structure is a much better option to keep pests away.
Pests may be drawn to other components of the landscape, such as stones, heaps of wood, and old railroad cross ties. The simplest way to keep pests out of your landscape is to remove these items from the property or move them far from the building.
When should you treat?
The difficult choice of whether to spray is one that both commercial landscape maintainers and individuals must deal with on an ongoing basis. Sadly, there are no quick fixes. This kind of decision requires careful weighing of a number of factors. Among these are:
- The type of damage the pest creates,
- The number of pests,
- The stage at which the pest is developing,
- Where the pest lives on the plant,
- The price of control, and
- What happens if no control effort is made?
After establishing that an insect or mite is a nuisance, important details about its habits and life cycle should be investigated. Identify whether it has sucking or chewing mouthparts, for example, the phases at which it is destructive, the amount of generations it produces every year, its favorite meal, and the degree to which the plant guards it. This information should indicate whether or not the pest may be controlled, as well as when and how.