How to Keep Insects Out of a Yard

In recent years, certain trends have cropped up in the real estate industry. One attractive trend is converting a backyard into a patio. Instead of a grassy yard full of shrubbery, many people use the backyard for outdoor dining.

However, the natural state of your backyard, unfortunately, makes it a habitat for insects to breed. With the summertime approaching, temperatures rise and bring along potential insect infestations.

Here’s how you can keep insects out of a yard.

1. Eliminate Standing Water

Standing water offers a perfect breeding zone for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are nagging and easily ruin any night plans in your backyard. Additionally, they carry potentially harmful diseases like malaria. Keep your garden clear of any standing water. Don’t neglect gutters and any sunken holes, too.

When drains and ditches fill up with material, they hold water. Other areas that can harbor water include pools, vases, and birdbaths. Regularly check and get rid of any standing water sources you find on your property to protect it from bugs.

2. Declutter & Remove Trash

Trash is a prime candidate for bugs because it also can hold standing water/moisture. This provides a prime habitat for insects. Yard waste and garbage also offer food for flies, bugs, and roaches.

Ensuring your trash is collected or tightly closed makes it less attractive to insects. Removing piles of garbage also increases your property’s curb appeal for the summer. Decluttering and picking any plant materials, such as fallen leaves, further ensures fewer insects.

Any firewood or wood situated in your backyard can also set a breeding place for insects. Always ensure any wood present for storage is dry. Firewood stored in contact with the ground is more susceptible to insect infestations. Therefore, always store wood above the ground and preferably with a cover.

3. Maintain Your Lawn

As said earlier, dirt attracts insects, and so do neglected, overgrown, and unkempt lawns. A lawn can give bugs an unexpected home to live in on your property. Your lawn needs to be trimmed and pruned into top shape to keep bugs out of a yard. If you still need to revive your backyard after the winter, do your best to prepare it before the bugs get to it.

Frequently put your lawnmowers, weedwhackers, and garden scissors to work. Remove built-up piles of grass and leaves. A well-nurtured garden or lawn keeps pests away and also makes your property look beautiful.

Don’t slack on mowing your lawn even when the weather is bad. Find times during the morning or late at night when the weather is dry to manicure your yard properly.

Remember, a well-maintained lawn is a great sign to potential buyers that you care for your home and garden. Therefore, it’s even more important to keep your lawn free of insects and well-pruned.

4. Invest in Bug Repellent Plants

Researching, planting, and growing bug-repellent plants is one of the best ways how to keep insects out of a yard. This is a natural way to repel insects from your backyard. Insects heavily rely on their sense of smell. Investing in plants with strong scents makes your backyard repulsive to insects.

Some of these plants include mint, basil, catnip, citronella, lemon thyme, and rosemary. The plants are primarily insect repellents. But they can also be used as spices for cooking, making them even more appealing to add to a garden.

5. Cover Food During Meals

With a big backyard, it’s enticing to host fun BBQ parties, picnics, and patio get-togethers. With these events comes the chance of food sitting outside for long periods of time. But, unfortunately, when you host BBQs with food, you’re also inviting insects into the party, too.

It’s best to keep your food covered to avoid wafting the air with delicious smells. Covering the food and cleaning up quickly after meals will help reduce the chances of attracting insects.

Summary

Your backyard is an essential space in your home. It carries the potential to transform your outdoor space. While backyards bring the possibility of insect infestation, planning ahead is the best way to defend against bugs. Maintain your outdoor furniture, lawn, and its surroundings to keep insects out of a yard. This will create a space that you can enjoy more and the bugs will enjoy less.

If you are thinking about selling your house instead of renovating a house, give us a call. At Brotherly Love Real Estate, we buy houses as is. When you contact us, we’ll give you a fair cash offer and complete the renovations for you. Get in touch with our team of experts today to learn more!