Pest Prevention Bug Prevention Insect Control

Bugs are what most people think of when they think of pests. Weeds are pests as well, but when a person says: “I have a pest problem,” it usually means bugs. Bug prevention, or insect control, is is pest prevention in the minds of most people. Here are a few ideas on keeping bugs out of your lawn and landscape:

• Don’t “over water” your lawn and landscape beds. Many bug pests enjoy excess water, and may decide to take up residence in the new sea side resort in your landscape. Over watering fuels fungus, and bacteria as well.

• Waiting too long between mowing’s, can allow too much growth which provides cover for insects. You should never remove more than one third of the top at a time. Taking too much off at once will leave your lawn in a weakened condition, inviting more bugs.

• Don’t create low areas or places where water backs up and becomes a breading place for mosquitoes, if you have already done this, find a way to drain and fill the area, or find a better way of making a permanent drain.

• Don’t leave jagged or ragged cuts, or part of a limb sticking out beyond the callous of the joint when you prune a tree. If you do, you are doing the equivalent of hanging a sign on the tree that reads: “Insects and Disease Eat Free Here!”

• Use plants native to your area when you are landscaping. Native plants are already resistant to native pests, are comfortable with your climate and average rainfall, and they won’t break out into the environment and eat the forest.

• Avoid  anything that would weaken your plants, because weak plants invite disease and pests. Such practices as spraying water on the leaves of a plant in direct sunlight should be avoided.

• Remove any brush or debris which might provide a staging area for an insect invasion. Keep such piles as far away from your landscape as possible.

• As much as possible, keep areas adjacent to your property, such as right of ways, clean and free of brush weeds and debris. If it is someone else’s property, or a vacant lot, get permission from the owner first. Bugs love hiding places where they can congregate before an invasion.

• When building something, or adding on to your landscape take into account the effect of what you are about to do. Here are a couple of examples:

1. In some parts of the country, any concrete in full sun is a fire ant magnet.
2. Some types of lighting, directly on, or immediately adjacent to a lawn, may cause a June bug invasion. This invasion may be followed by a grub invasion, which may then be followed by an armadillo and mole invasion.

• Stop any outdoor plumbing leaks and drips. They invite thirsty pests and fungus.