Certain animals, such as rodents, squirrels and skunks, can be true menaces to a garden. Some homeowners may become angry and scramble to grab a BB gun or slingshot. However, this may not be the best method of eradicating these pests from your yard. Consider these tips to keep animals away from your garden and your fruits and vegetables.
As the saying goes, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Well, the same can go for pests. Like any foe, the first thing you should do is figure out what pest is causing the trouble, Gardener's Supply Company noted. Once you zone in on a primary suspect, it's important you learn about it. Get to know its daily habits, and find out what it does and doesn't like. Gathering this information will help you develop the perfect plan of attack.
If the goal is the garden, take away its attractive qualities that may draw animals in. If you know you have a skunk problem, lessen the amount of grubs - a skunk's favorite snack - you have in your yard by planting certain shrubs, Mike's Backyard Nursery recommended. If you have too many squirrels running around your yard, try to eliminate spilled bird seed. Got a raccoon problem? Camouflage and protect your compost pile. These preventative measures may eradicate a problem before it starts.
If you have a significant problem, it may be time to take thing's up a notch.
Animals can't stand certain scents. Homeowners may be able to ward off animals with garlic or predator urine.
Specific plants, such as castor bean and fritillaria, drive rodents crazy and may keep them away from your garden if planted in the right place. You also can plant marigolds, which have been known to repel a variety of animals too.
Reflective tape, specific objects, noisemakers and ultrasonic systems may keep animals from daring to go near your garden. Depending on what animal you have, find out which natural repellent may work best for you.
If none of these tricks work, it may be time to call in the experts. Call pest management professionals to fully eliminate your problem. They can eradicate the pests before they decide to shift from your garden to your home, or choose to have offspring.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
In the summer months, people love to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Some even venture to farmers markets where the food is cheaper. However, not only do fruits come home with you, fruit flies may too. Once they've gotten acclimated in your home, they might stay all summer. These pests breed quickly, and tend to spread through whatever food you've got around. They also are happy to join in on any meal you have, be it a sit-down dinner or a barbecue in your backyard. Worst of all, like other flies, they carry disease. Consider these tips on how to prevent fruit flies from coming home with you.
