Your yard is a place where you should feel comfortable and relaxed no matter what time of year it is. However, pests can easily ruin the tranquility and make it difficult to enjoy your space. In San Diego, that can be a major waste of space where the weather is almost always amazing.
Some of the most common pests you might deal with in your yard in California include:
- Ants
- Termites
- Rodents
- Cockroaches
- Earwigs
While pests might be inevitable, there are some things you can do that can keep them out of your yard. These methods are completely safe and can go a long way towards preventing pest issues in the future.
Spread Coffee Grounds
If you love coffee, you probably already have an effective pest control method at your disposal. Coffee grounds can be a very good pest deterrent if they are laid out correctly. Most pests don’t like the smell and will stay out of the area where the grounds are spread.
To use your coffee grounds as a pest deterrent, simply spread them as a barrier. This means that you can spread them around the perimeter of your yard or along the base of your fence. You can reapply the grounds as necessary, and the good news is that you will probably never run out.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are another great natural pesticide. Many plants use their natural oils in the wild to keep pests like termites and spiders from nesting in them. Because of this, they will be just as effective in your backyard.
You can spread drops of essential oils all over your backyard to keep pests away all year long. Oils like peppermint and lemongrass oil are a great natural alternative to pesticide sprays, and they can also add a nice, pleasant odor to your backyard.
Plant Onions
If you have the space, you can plant onions as a natural pests deterrent. Plants like onions and garlic belong to the Allium genus, which has a very effective pest repelling quality. They can also be a great crop to plant if you are interested in cultivating an edible garden.
Onions can be planted in rows surrounding your yard or just on the perimeter of your garden. If you don’t want to plant them, you can also cut them up and spread them around your yard. Pests are repelled by the smell and will stay away.
Use Proper Drainage
One of the most effective natural pest control methods is proper drainage. In California, rain is scarce, but it can build up quickly and become stagnant when it happens. When this happens, you could easily end up with breeding grounds for mosquitoes and gnats.
Installing proper drainage includes drilling holes in the bottoms of buckets and planters. You should also make sure that your gutters are properly cleaned and that they are effectively draining the water from your roof.
Get Professional Help for Pest Issues
If you try all the above methods and still have a pest issue, you may want to look into getting professional help. There are many pest control companies in San Diego that can help you remove pests as effectively as possible. They can also make sure that your backyard is protected and that you won’t be dealing with a pest issue in the future.