How To Bug-Proof Your Yard Naturally

From mosquitoes and ants, to ticks and fleas, bugs can ruin an otherwise peaceful lawn. Pool parties, BBQs and other backyard festivities are all much less fun once the biting insects and other creepy crawlies show up. They’re not just nuisances either, bugs like mosquitoes and ticks, for instance, carry harmful diseases that put both your family and pets’ lives at risk. There’s no need to resort to toxic insecticides, either. Instead, follow these family-safe, pet-safe tips to bug-proof your yard this summer.

 

Maintain Your Yard

Keeping a well-maintained and organized yard goes a long way toward safeguarding your lawn & garden against pests like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, ants, termites, chiggers and more. Here’s what you need to do:

• Remove all clutter from your yard: woodpiles, yard equipment, brush, leaves, lawn clippings, tree stumps, unused dog houses, furniture, tires, and anything else that could collect water (mosquitoes use stagnant water to breed).
• Engage in landscaping practices that expose your lawn to as much sunlight as possible (by trimming branches, tall grass, shrubbery, etc). Direct sunlight can be lethal to many bugs, like termites, chiggers, scorpions and more.
• Many bugs need lush vegetation to hide, so regularly mow, edge, weedeat, rake, and trim the hedges.
• When mowing, bag the clippings and dispose of them. Do not disperse them onto your yard—doing so helps create a bug-friendly environment, especially for ticks.
• Change and clean bird bath water regularly, or empty them during mosquito season.
• Fix leaky hoses, faucets, sprinklers, A/C units, and clogged drainage areas to prevent pooling water
• Keep pools well-maintained
• Regularly check and clean pool covers and other tarps—these often hold water, attracting bugs.
• Cover all trash cans and dumpsters

Mosquitoes taking over your backyard? Here’s How To Mosquito-proof Your Yard Naturally

 

Treat Your Lawn With Natural Pesticides

Traditional pesticides threaten not only the health of your yard, but also your family and pets. When treating your lawn, it’s important to go with a natural, eco-friendly alternative. (Tip: The best time to treat is early morning or in the evening—this helps prevent evaporation, and gives the natural repellent/pesticide sufficient time to soak into your yard). Follow these guidelines:

• Thoroughly spray the entire yard. Be sure to spray all hedges, shrubbery, flower gardens, bases of trees, and anywhere else bugs might hide.
• When spraying, pay special attention to the perimeter of your yard, including all fencing, foundations and brick barriers. This will prevent bugs from re-entering your yard after treatment.
• Spray front, back and side yards all in one session. It’s important that all areas are treated within a short window to prevent bugs from migrating to other sections of your yard.
• During the spring and summer months, we advise spraying your yard at least once per month, or as needed

Have Ants? Check out 10 All Natural Ways To Get Rid of Ants

Problems with Scorpions? Check out 8 Ways To Get Rid of Scorpions Naturally

Termite issues? Check out 8 Ways To Get Rid of Termites Naturally

 

Use A Mulch Barrier

A repellent mulch barrier (like those made from cedar chips) is an easy and highly effective way to prevent bugs—especially ticks—from entering your yard. For this approach: surround your lawn and garden with a thick perimeter (anywhere from 1-3 ft.) of dry mulch. Do not use damp mulches, as these can actually attract some types of bugs.

Worried about Ticks? Here’s How To Tick-Proof Your Yard Naturally

Treat Your Pets (and Yourself)

Pets and people are a common vehicle for bugs to enter your yard. Before (and after) going outdoors for walks, hikes, dog park visits, etc, it’s important to guard yourself and your pet against biting bugs like fleas and ticks (always check your pet for ticks, too!). Carrying a small bottle of bug repellent in your purse or pocket makes this easy.

Flea troubles? Read What You Need To Know About Fleas or the How To Get Rid of Fleas Ebook

Deter Wild Animals 

Wild animals are one of the primary ways bugs enter your yard. Treating and keeping your lawn maintained as discussed above is the first step to making your yard inhospitable to wild animals like bug-carrying rodents. From deer to possums to racoons, here’s what you need to do to keep unwanted animals out of your yard.

• Become a dog owner. Dogs and dog urine deter animals, as canines are a natural predator to many wild animals.
• Consider installing fencing. If you already use fencing, check it thoroughly for holes, cracks and other openings animals might use to enter you yard.
• Consider replacing plants that attract animals to your yard: such as roses, apples, beans, peas, strawberries, corn, chrysanthemums, tulips and more. Or, install chicken wire fencing around your garden.
• Because ticks are especially dangerous, consider installing deer-repelling plants: such as iris, sage, chives, lemon balm, lilac, holly, and more.
• Remove or repair all sources of unnecessary moisture—such as standing water, and any leaking plumbing, drains, gutters, and sprinkler systems.
• Firmly secure all trash cans and trash can lids, or start storing trash cans in a garage or other outbuilding.
• For more tips on keeping animals out of your lawn & garden click here.

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