Flowers are a wonderful aspect of a yard, and can remind a homeowner of spring and warmer times. There is a wide range of types, appealing to the taste of any gardener. However, many people wouldn't expect that flowers are a delectable snack to some pests. Homeowners may be discouraged when they travel to their garden to collect flowers and find that many have been destroyed or are completely missing. Consider these tips to keep pests out of your flower beds.
There are a few notable pests that love to attack flower beds. Knowing which pests to expect in your yard can help you develop the best prevention plan possible. Homeowners may deal with large pests such as deer, who love to nibble on certain types of perennial flowers. However, smaller pests aren't discouraged by flower beds either. Squirrels, chipmunks and even raccoons may venture into flower beds to munch on a few types of flora you have, The New York Times stated.
One of the main ways you can make your flower bed vulnerable to pests is if you allow it to get out of control, Teleflora noted. That means not watering your flowers enough, fertilizing the soil or choosing not to support weaker flowers with a stake. Weak or rotting flowers are very attractive to pests, and may be easier to access depending on how big or tall they are. If you notice that your flowers are weak or yellowing, determine the problem right away, whether it's related to temperature, sunlight or pH levels of soil. If you notice that some of your leaves are yellowing or buds have fallen off the flower, remove them. Keeping these small issues around your flowers may attract pests.
One option for preventing pests from crawling over to your flower bed is to make the soil unwelcoming. Crush up eggshells or some other form of sharp objects and scatter them around the bed. If any pest, big or small, chooses to come near the flowers, it won't appreciate the feeling of sharp or abrasive objects.
Another way you can protect your flowers from being eaten or destroyed by pests is to cover them up. Certain garden covers, which are made of a lightweight, breathable material, can protect the flowers from insects and animals without preventing growth. Many of these covers can also be penetrated by water and sunlight to help keep your flowers healthy. These covers can also protect flowers in the early winter to prevent frost from settling on and possibly ruining the flowers before they are finished with their cycle.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
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.
