Spring Time Means New Yard Pests
Make Sure That You are Prepared!
The best way to handle spring pests in the yard is to be ready for them. It's easy to get caught up in the new milder weather and the prospect of getting outside to plant new flowers for the year, forgetting all the upcoming pests and problems that will soon arrive. Before they completely take over, plan for the rest of the season and take a few steps to be ready.
Squirrels Are Everywhere! Stop Them with Wire Mesh
Squirrels are usually active all through the winter and that will keep on going in the spring. They will start to be more of a nuisance as they are running low on stored food and are going to spend a lot more time foraging around in the yard. When you are out in the garden planting your favorite spring bulbs, you'll want to be prepared for possible squirrel trouble. Once planted, cover up your flower beds with fine wire mesh or hardware cloth to keep squirrels from digging. Chicken wire won't do the job because the holes are too big.
Raccoons Are Waking Up and Rampaging! Keep Them Out by Battening Down the Hatches
Though they don't really hibernate either, raccoons do sleep a lot through the winter. They'll be up and more active when spring arrives, and you should be prepared for that. In particular, keep your garbage under a tight lid at all times. Do any repairs around the property, especially any holes that would give wandering raccoons access to places like your garage, attic or basement. Once they get settled, they'll be harder to evict.
Oh Deer! Keep Them Away Early
Deer can be an issue any time of year, but fawns are born in the spring and that means more mouths to feed for the does. As plants start to green up and sprout leaves this spring, you can be sure that nearby deer will be very tempted to come into your yard for a snack. The best way to be prepared for incoming deer is to set up a solid perimeter around your property with scented repellent packs. By getting repellents placed out early, you can nip the problem before it gets out of hand. Deer are creatures of habit, and it is a lot easier to deal with them before they are used to visiting your property.
Grubs Can Wreak Havoc
Large patches of dead grass can mean you have an infestation of grubs under the surface. This tends to be a spring problem in that you see the damage and discover the problem as the snow melts and the grass starts to green up for spring. At this point though, there isn't much you can do about it. To properly prepare for grubs, you need to treat your lawn in the fall with a pesticide. Not only will grubs will your grass and plants, they attract animals like skunks and raccoons that will dig up the sod for them.
Mosquitoes the Kings of the Pest Insects
These biting pests are usually a bigger problem in the summer, but you can take a few steps now to protect yourself and make your outside space more comfortable. Plant insect-repelling plants like lavender, mint, citronella and scented geranium around the yard, especially around the deck or porch where you spend the most time. Another way to prepare for mosquitoes is to get rid of any standing water so that the adult mosquitoes cannot lay any more eggs for later in the season.
So take advantage of the great weather and get ready for the outdoor pests you know will be coming. A little forethought now can make a difference later in the summer.
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