Chances are after 5+ months of primarily socially distanced living during COVID-19, you are pretty familiar with every nook and cranny of your home. But, have you given the same attention to your outdoor space?
As summer winds down and we head into the autumn months, we have a perfect opportunity to assess our yards, landscaping and patio spaces for places pests love to hide. In this post, we have pulled together pest-approved hiding spots for you to take on so you and your family aren’t left itchy, uncomfortable, or in the worst cases, sick from mosquito or tick-borne ailments.
Move over, Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes carry diseases that pose serious health threats to your family and your pets. Unfortunately, over the past decade, we have seen just how important it is to prevent the harmful effects caused by mosquito bites.
Puddles, standing water and damp areas are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and they will take every opportunity they are presented with to take up residence in your yard. With diseases like EEE and West Nile concerning experts for the 2020 season, be sure to tip out water after rain or storms and flip over any receptacles where it could linger.
Mosquito backyard hot-spots:
- Kids toys; buckets, sandbox, outdoor playhouses
- Tarps covering wood or equipment
- Empty planters or other gardening supplies
- Beach or lake equipment like boats, canoes or kayaks
Be diligent about dumping water once a week or whenever it rains. Swimming pools are usually free from mosquitoes if they are maintained properly.
Taking on Ticks
The tick population continues to rise at an alarming rate bringing with them dangerous diseases like Lyme disease which can be easily transmitted diseases to dogs and humans.
When you think of ticks, you probably think of grassy meadows or hiking trails through the woods. They certainly can be found in those places, but there are more subtle spots as well. Ticks have made themselves quite comfortable in backyards by finding cool, shady spots where they can easily jump on to your family or pets undetected.
Tick backyard hot-spots:
- Long grass is the most obvious; cut it back or call us for a professional treatment
- Woodpiles
- Areas with brush and debris from plants or trees
- Shady spots that don’t see much daylight
- Check your pet! Any time your dog or cat is outside, they can bring back house guests that can live in your home waiting for the chance to strike
These are some simple strategies you can employ to take back your yard and to encourage pests to find a new home. For lasting, guaranteed defense against pests, contact Mosquito Shield to identify an ideal solution for you, and prep your yard with our highly effective treatments so you can enjoy your yard for the remainder of summer into the fall.