Jul 20, 2021 | Wildlife
If you live in an area where snakes are common, chances are you might stumble across one at some point. Snakes, like any other pest, are usually in search of three things: food, water, and shelter, which the areas around our homes tend to provide. There are several factors that determine how likely it is for a snake to be found on your property. These include location, landscaping, nearby water source, the state of your lawn, and how readily a food supply is available. Below are a few ways to keep snakes out of your yard.
Scare Them Off
One of the easiest ways to scare off a snake in your yard is to use your garden hose. Spray the snake with a steady stream from the hose until he slithers off. You can also consider installing a perch pole for hawks, owls, and other natural snake predators to perch on. Be sure to place it in an open area so that the birds have a good view of your yard and the surrounding area.
Don’t Invite Them In
Since snakes usually come into your yard looking for food, water, and shelter, eliminating these will lower the chances of them paying you a visit.
- Mow your grass often and keep it cut short. Shorter grass means more exposure to predators like hawks and coyotes. Plus, it makes them much easier for you to spot.
- Avoid overwatering your lawn so you don’t attract snake food sources such as frogs, worms, and slugs.
- Keep trees, shrubs, and branches trimmed away from the sides of your home, roof, and ground.
- Move bird feeders away from the house or get rid of them altogether. Birds often leave seeds scattered underneath, which can attract rodents and ultimately attract snakes.
- If you have a woodpile, make sure it is kept away from the home and elevated if possible.
- When designing your landscaping, try to avoid using mulch or large rocks. These can create breeding grounds and overwintering habitats for snakes. Instead, use smaller, tight-fitting rocks like gravel.
Lock Them Out
Snakes can be very persistent pests and keeping them out can be difficult. You should carefully inspect the outside of your home and seal any cracks or crevices you find on the house or foundations. Consider installing fencing around your yard, garden, or pool.
The best way to prevent snakes is to take steps to keep them out in the first place. Snake control can be dangerous depending on the type of snake you have. If you have a snake problem, contact animal control of your local wildlife control company who can help safely trap, relocate, or remove the snake from your home.
Jul 6, 2021 | Pest Control
Regardless of the season, pests are always in search of shelter and food. One place that provides them with both of these is your home. Different seasons bring different pests in varying stages of their life cycles. It’s important to know the patterns for these seasonal pests in your area to make the proper preparations for your home. What can you expect as each season changes throughout the year?
Winter
For most pests, winter is a time of hibernation and survival. The colder weather triggers a need for overwintering pests to find shelter. Some will seek this out indoors, while others will look for it outdoors. Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects search for shelter in logs or in the eaves of your home. Ants will seek shelter in their nesting sites. Overwintering pests like roaches and spiders will seek shelter indoors, sometimes in our homes. They key to prevention of winter pests is to prepare your home in the fall.
Spring
Spring is a time of awakening and mating for many pests. As the weather starts to get warm, pests will emerge from their winter shelters and increase their activity. Pests that hibernate during the winter will awaken from their dormant states. The spring rains will drive ants from their nesting sites in search of higher ground; plus it marks the beginning of swarming season for termites. Most pests will move outdoors in the spring in search of mates.
Summer
Summer brings the height of backyard pests, which are what tend to put a damper on our outdoor fun. While we usually see fewer pests inside our home during the summer, we do tend to see a larger number of pests in our yards and other outdoor areas. Mosquito season peaks in the summer months as the moisture from spring and summer rains drives mosquitoes to breed. Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects are also more active in the summer.
Fall
Fall is a time of preparation for most pests as they need to get ready for the harsh winter months. Common fall pests include ladybugs, box elders, and spiders. These pests will often invade your home at this time of the year in search of shelter for the coming months. Fall is a good time to prepare your home for overwintering pests, such as roaches and rodents.
Regardless of the season, there are steps you can take to protect your home from pests year-round:
- Keep your grass mowed and shrubbery trimmed away from the sides of your home.
- Keep your yard clear of debris and standing water.
- Inspect the outside of your home for cracks and holes that pests can use as entry points and seal them.
- Use weatherstripping around doors and windows and make sure screens are in good repair.
- Make sure gutters are clear of debris or install gutter guards.
- Consider enclosing your crawlspace.
- Keep food and pet food stored in airtight containers.
- Don’t leave pet food and water bowls out overnight.
- Clean up crumbs and spills immediately.
If you already have a pest problem or these steps aren’t working for you, call your local pest control company. They can come and give your home a thorough inspection and help you with a treatment and prevention plan.
Jun 23, 2021 | Mosquito
Your backyard can be a great place to entertain and spend time with your family and friends, except when there are mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the warmer months also mean mosquitoes. Nothing can ruin your time outside faster than being bitten by these pests. They can spread diseases to humans and pets. Mosquitoes might seem like an annoyance that you can easily swat away, but they can be a big problem. They’re almost impossible to avoid completely unless you plan to stay inside all summer. Below are some steps you can take to mosquito-proof your yard this summer.
Eliminate Standing Water
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The best approach for mosquito control is to stop them from showing up in the first place. Therefore, you need to eliminate any standing water in your yard. Even the smallest puddle can support larvae. This includes kiddie pools, plant trays, gutters, and garbage cans. The only exception is a swimming pool because the chlorine drives them away.
Standing water on your lawn is also an issue. After each rainstorm, check for areas where water seems to pool and takes a while to drain. If it happens regularly in the same area, you may have a drainage issue that needs some work to prevent water from pooling and becoming a breeding ground for insects.
Use Fans
If you are spending time on a deck, patio, or around a pool, a fan can help you keep mosquitoes away. They are weak fliers, so the wind from fans makes it hard for them to get close enough to bite. Also, mosquitoes are attracted to higher body temperatures. So, while the fan is keeping your body temperature cool, it’s also keeping mosquitoes away. A ceiling fan is great for any covered outdoor area, and oscillating fans around other parts of your yard will help drive them away.
Mosquito Treatments
Green mosquito treatments are a very effective way to get rid of mosquitoes. They not only help reduce mosquito activity, but they’re eco-friendly by protecting the beneficial pests around your home. These types of mosquito treatments are great if your own efforts aren’t working, or you live near a water source.
To start a mosquito control program, contact your local pest control company. They will come inspect your landscaping, make recommendations, and develop a mosquito reduction plan that is designed for your property. After your yard has been treated for mosquitoes, your pest control provider will continue to monitor the property and provide monthly treatments during mosquito season, to ensure ongoing protection and mosquito bite prevention.
The best way to control mosquitoes in your yard is by using multiple approaches. If you follow all of these steps, you can effectively reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard and enjoy your time outside this summer.
