Flower Mound is a beautiful area. Homeowners here take pride in their yards. They spend time making their landscaping look perfect. Unfortunately, some common yard choices actually invite pests inside your home.
These mistakes give insects and rodents shelter and easy access. If your landscaping is working against you, it is time to take action. This is crucial for protecting your investment in the community.
You should partner with a reliable Flower Mound pest control company to secure your home’s perimeter.
Mulch Is A Moist Highway to Your Foundation
Mulch is popular because it helps keep moisture in the soil. However, it can become a huge problem when improperly used. Pests like ants, termites, earwigs, and roaches love damp environments.
Organic wood mulch offers them a perfect habitat. When you pile mulch too high, you create thick, protective shelter. When you place it right against your foundation, you create an ideal bridge that pests can use to get into your house.
Keep your mulch layer around two to three inches. More importantly, keep it away from your foundation. You should leave a buffer zone of at least a foot or more of space.
Consider using crushed rock or gravel near the house instead, as these materials do not hold moisture. They offer no shelter to insects looking for warmth and a nesting spot. You can also switch to rubber mulch.
The Problem with Overgrown Greenery
Landscaping should never touch your home’s structure. Shrubs and tree branches act as literal bridges for pests. When foliage touches your siding or roof, rodents and insects use it to climb easily.
Ants, spiders, and mice bypass exterior pest treatments as they simply walk over your defenses. Mice can climb overhanging branches to reach your roofline. From there, they enter the attic or wall voids.
You should trim back all plants and maintain a clearance of eighteen inches between all vegetation and the house walls. This breaks the pest highway. Ground covers like ivy are also risky because they grow dense and tangled.
Eliminating Standing Water and Wet Debris
Pests require food, shelter, and water to survive, and your yard may be providing all three. Standing water is a major attractant.
Mosquitoes only need a tiny bit of stagnant water to lay eggs. They go from egg to flying adult very quickly. Check all areas of your yard for standing water, like birdbaths, plant saucers, and poor drainage spots.
Change the water in birdbaths every few days to stop mosquito larvae from developing. If you use rain barrels, ensure they are tightly covered. Also, look for decaying organic matter. Dead leaves, rotting wood, and overripe fruit attract pests.
This debris provides food and moist shelter for slugs and rodents. Make it a habit to clean up fallen yard waste quickly. Do not leave leaf piles or wood scraps near your foundation.
Improper Storage Attracts Unwanted Guests
Where you store items matters greatly. Stacking firewood too close to the home is a big mistake because it attracts termites and carpenter ants. They also provide secure nesting areas for mice and rats.
Store your firewood at least twenty feet from the house. It should also be elevated off the ground on a rack. This improves airflow and makes the spot less appealing to pests.
Outdoor food sources also invite trouble. Pet food left outside attracts rodents and other wildlife. Bird feeders can also spill seed, providing an easy meal.
Furthermore, store pet food securely indoors. Bring pet bowls inside at night. Clean bird feeders often to reduce spillage and buildup. Secure your compost bin as well. Do not compost meat or fat, as these items will instantly attract scavengers and rodents.
By correcting these common landscaping errors, you can secure your Flower Mound home. Making these changes reduces the shelter and food available to pests.
Protect your home and enjoy your beautiful yard without the nuisance of uninvited guests with the help of professionals like Romney Pest Control. Contact them today to get started on a safer, pest-free living space.
