What to Remove and What to Add:
Easy & Inexpensive Methods of Minimizing Pest Invasion
Remove the following…..
Fruit of Citrus Trees
While one may love the beauty and aroma of citrus trees like those often found in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, they can become an open invitation to pests. As a source of both food and water to rodents in particular, fallen fruit becomes irresistable. To prevent attracting hungry rats to your yard, do your best to pick up fallen citrus regularly and harvest ripe fruit before it has a chance to fall.
Overhanging branches
Tree pruning is rarely at the top of anyone’s to-do list, but if trees are near the home it needs to be given some attention. Pests of all kinds gain easy access to a rooftop where there may be countless entry points when they jump from branch to rooftop. Leaving overhanging branches in place puts your roof tiles, underlayment, attic, insulation, electrical wiring and more at serious risk. Simply pruning limbs away from a home’s roofline will aid in discouraging entry by good climbers and jumpers such as squirrels and rats.
Pet food and waste
A yard filled with pet waste and pet foods is a veritable buffet for local pests. While we may find these things unpleasant at best, they are a delight for many types of rodents. Regularly removing pet waste from areas in the yard will discourage pests from foraging there as they will need to find their food elsewhere. Try to feed and water pets indoors to avoid making it all too easy for pests to find their next meal on your porch. And YES! Rats do eat dog food. Not to mention that a pack of coyotes will consume anything you are offering and shouldn’t be encouraged to enter residential areas where small pets are also considered food.
Bird feeders
It is lovely to feed the birds, but a loose feeder can become a big problem. Squirrels everywhere are well aware that bird food is delicious! Try to hang bird feeders in areas that would be nearly impossible for a squirrel to climb to rather than off of a tree branch. Once an animal has breached bird feeder, it is likely to spill seeds onto the ground inviting other pests to feed. Should such a spill occur, a quick clean-up is the only solution to prevent wildlife from descending upon your yard.
Consider adding these……
Eucalyptus trees
Amazing, but true this tree is wonderfully beneficial at repelling ticks. Adding these trees not only keeps ticks away from the areas of your yard where these are planted, but off of your pets as well. Simply allow pets to use this tree as a scratching post or rub up against its bark.
Pest Repellant Flowers
Chrysanthemums – This flower has it’s own all-natural pesticide called pyrethrum that can help control things like roaches, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, and even ants .
Marigolds – The marigold is very well known plant for repelling insects. Mexican marigolds are said to deter many destructive insects as well as rabbits. Please note: these must be scented to work as a repellant and while this plant drives away many bad bugs, it can attracts spider mites and snails.
Pest Repellant Herbs
Lavender- Lavender in its many varieties is a favorite herb of many beneficial insects and also repels fleas and moths.
Basil -The oils in basil are said to repel thrips, flies and mosquitoes.
Catnip – This plant repels just about everything, except for cats of course! Catnip can be used to keep away flea beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, ants, and weevils.
Adding any of these plants should aid in repelling pests, yet beautify the yard. Using these helpful suggestions should help any homeowner live in harmony with nature this summer while avoiding the headache of a pest invasion.
Pest Control & Exterminating in Phoenix