Many homeowners put extensive care into the design and upkeep of their yards. But some of the same plants and landscape design features that look attractive to you can also draw in pests like termites, ants, mosquitoes, and rodents.

Your yard is the gateway to your home. If your yard already harbors lots of pests, it is an easy trip for pests to get inside your home to find more food or overwinter. Arranging your landscaping to make your yard less attractive for bugs and rodents can help you secure your home against pests.

Features to Avoid in Your Yard

Water use, drought resistance, appearance and are some of the needs people consider when planning their garden, but pest prevention is usually forgotten. As the first line of defense for protecting your home against pests, however, what you put in your yard plays an important role in managing pests. Avoid these mistakes or seek out one of the suggested alternatives to make your landscaping less attractive for pests:

• Bird Baths – A bird bath provides the perfect environment for mosquitoes to lay eggs. If you want to have a bird bath, empty the water once a week to remove any eggs or larvae that may be living inside.
• Bird Feeders – While a bird feeder may bring plenty of birds to your yard, it is probably attracting squirrels, mice, and rats too. Place any bird feeders as far as possible from your home and use ones that will not let seeds fall on the ground.
• Wooden Mulch – Mulch is important for insulating plants and works as a design element, but commercial wooden mulch can often contain termites and carpenter ants. Eco-friendly rubber mulch is a great alternative. It is made from recycled tires, looks the same as wood mulch, and is longer lasting.
• Plant Placement – Flowers, shrubs, and trees provide shelter for bugs. When any of those plants touch your home, they give those bugs an easy route directly to your house. Plant flowers and shrubs at least 18 inches away from your home and cut back tree branches so they are not touching your siding or roof.

Regardless of your landscaping, you should also use regular maintenance to minimize the risks of pests taking over your yard and invading your home. Mowing lawns, trimming back bushes, and clearing debris removes hiding spaces for wildlife and insects, decreasing the number of pests around your home.

Flowers and Shrubs that Repel Pests

Depending on your growing region, there are several flowers and herbs that release odors that repel bugs or even contain substances that are toxic for insects but safe for people and animals. These flowers most often target mosquitoes, ants, roaches, fleas, and ticks. They include:

• Chrysanthemums
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Basil
• Geraniums

A variety of plants in your yard provides both beautiful landscaping and some natural pest control. Basil and rosemary can also provide herbs for your garden. Plants will not keep pests out altogether, but they can help. For long lasting prevention against insects, consider ongoing pest control from ExtermPRO. Call us today to find out more.