Invading insects in your outside yard, which is where your summer memories are created, is the last thing you want to think about. Garden pests come in various shapes and sizes, making it challenging to maintain a healthy garden.
The following are some of the pests you might notice in your yard in Nashville:
- Ants
- Bed Bugs
- Cockroaches
- Fleas
- Mosquitoes
The measures below can assist a gardener in reducing pest problems without using hazardous chemicals. Always remember that the best line of defense is prevention!
Get Rid of Standing Water
Gutters and downspouts could be home to many mosquito breeding grounds. Clean up your gutters and downspouts regularly to avoid obstructions that retain water and provide a breeding ground for those pesky stingers. When not in use, make sure to drain kiddie pools, buckets, and watering cans.
When your yard becomes soaked with water, the best thing you can do is act quickly. Try breaking up the dirt with a rake or shovel if you have hard or sticky soil in your yard that pools standing water. To help it grow, add compost, mulch, or manure to the top of the soil.
Other ways of getting rid of standing water in your yard include raising the soil, installing a french drain, creating a dry creek, and regrading. Do not ignore any standing water in your yard. The longer you delay, the more money you’ll have to spend on repairs.
Spread Essential Oils
There are a range of essential oils that may be utilized to repel unwanted insect pests from your yard if used consistently. Some of the oils include thyme oil, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and clove oil. Rosemary oil is an effective insect repellent for a variety of pests, including fleas and mosquitos.
Peppermint oil is a natural pesticide that is effective against ants and fleas. Clove oil is also an effective deterrent for a variety of flying insects.
Build a Trap
Traps can be used to identify pests and track their movements, and traps can be so effective that they give a reasonable level of control in some cases. Pests are drawn away from plants by traps, which allows them to be removed from the garden. Various traps are available for purchase or can be created at home.
By gluing strips of wood on a board, you can make your own slug and snail trap. Place it in the garden with the strips down, slightly raised off the ground. Slugs and snails may simply climb under it, and you can then take them out of the garden.
Grow Onions
Because of their savory odor, onions can be used to get rid of a variety of pests. Carrots, lettuce, strawberries, and beets are all good companion plants for onions. When bugs, such as maggots, are gathered together, they are repulsed by the strong odor. Other onion-hating pests include aphids and mites.
The onions can be mixed with water and poured around the base of plants to keep bugs at bay. To make the mixture:
- Cut one onion and soak it overnight in a quart of water.
- Remove the onions and pour about a cup of water around the base of the vegetables.
- If the bugs reappear, repeat the process in about two weeks.
Get Professional Help!
While the steps listed above can help reduce the number of pests in your yard, you will need professional help to eliminate pests. There are many pest control services in Nashville that can help you get rid of your pest issues. A qualified professional may be better equipped to detect any possible problems before they become serious.
An expert can also give recommendations that are specific to your situation. They are well-trained and use approved chemicals and procedures to ensure your and your family’s safety.