How Can I Get Pests Out of My Yard in San Antonio?

San Antonio has its share of bugs, biting insects, and nuisance wildlife, and they can multiply rapidly if you don’t take control of them quickly. So, how do you get rid of these unwanted guests from your yard? 

Here are some of the top-secret hacks used by professional exterminators. We’ve listed them by the type of pests you’re most likely to encounter. And we’ll also tell you where to get the materials needed to eliminate these nasty pests from your yard! 

Mosquitoes

San Antonio is known for its mosquitoes. And they proliferate throughout the entire region during the summer months. 

Areas along the slow-moving San Antonio River are the worst. However, the large lakes to the Southeast are also known to produce high levels of mosquito populations. 

Get rid of mosquitoes this way:

1. Cut back tall weeds to reduce breeding areas
2. Remove old tires and any yard debris that might hold stagnant water
3. Clean gutters and drains to prevent puddling in these areas
4. Treat ponds and bird baths with microbial insecticides
5. Spray weeds and vegetation with insect growth regulators to disrupt the mosquito’s life cycle
6. Citronella candles work well to keep biting pests away from outdoor gatherings
7. UV light traps and bug zappers are highly effective for reducing mosquitoes around your home or business

Chiggers

Chiggers are the larval stage of mites. However, it’s a common misconception that chiggers suck the blood from humans. Instead, they feed on dead skin cells, causing the characteristic itching associated with the tiny pest. 

Take these steps to avoid chigger bites:

1. Keep lawns mowed, and weeds cut down
2. Wear long pants in known infested areas
3. Take along some insect repellent to ensure biting pests stay away
4. Treat your yard with a residual insecticide labeled for chiggers

Black Widow Spiders

There are several species of black widow spiders in the U.S. For that reason, it’s hard to pinpoint which type is most common in the San Antonio area. However, it doesn’t really matter since they all present a health risk for children and the most vulnerable adults. 

Look for black widows in these spots around your home:

• Under lawn chairs
• Around pool equipment
• At the water meter
• In storage sheds

Eliminate black widows like this:

1. Use a broom to knock down webs
2. Spray live spiders with a pyrethrin spray
3. Keep storage areas decluttered and organized
4. Inspect the outside of your home regularly, especially during the summer months

Armadillos

Armadillos are small mammals that have distinctive armor skin that acts as a defense against predators. You can find these unusual creatures throughout the Southern regions of Texas and as far east as the Carolinas. 

The favorite foods of the armadillo are insects and earthworms. So, for that reason, they like to dig up yards and gardens. 

To get rid of armadillos in your yard, try this:

1. Wrap 12-inch wire fence material around your prized ornamental plants to keep armadillos from digging underneath them.
2. Live-trap using a 12-inch wide metal cage. Also, make sure it’s at least 32 inches deep. Bait with raw eggs or rotten fruit. 
3. Granular insecticide baits sometimes work to limit the armadillo’s food source. 

Wasps

Removing docile paper wasps from your home is a fairly straightforward process. However, aggressive hornet and yellowjacket species should be left to professional exterminators. These pests sting repeatedly and can cause serious health concerns for people who are allergic to bees. 

Eliminate paper wasps by following these steps:

1. Wear protective clothing such as a long sleeve shirt, gloves, and face shield 
2. Wait for dusk when wasps are the least active
3. Wasp Freeze works the best and is safe to use on most surfaces
4. Stand back about 10 feet when spraying, because it’s best to empty the entire contents
5. Make sure there are no other people present when treating wasp nests

Bonus Tips on Keeping Yard Pests Out

Here are some more ideas to keep pests from destroying your yard or garden:

• Remove food sources by storing dog food and birdseed in tightly sealed containers
• Drain pools that aren’t being used
• Screen openings in eves, overhangs, and attics to limit wasp nesting areas
• Spray pesticides on non-windy days to avoid chemical drift
• Automatic scaring devices are sometimes effective for chasing small animals away from your yard