How to Keep Bugs at Bay This Spring

Winter is finally drawing to a close and lovely spring days spend in the backyard soaking up the sunshine will soon be here. Unfortunately, warmer weather will also bring all those bugs out of their winter hibernation. It’s all too likely that you won’t be the only one trying to enjoy your backyard this spring. Mosquitoes, fire ants, and spiders might all be looking to make your yard their home for the warmer months of the year.

In order to prevent your springtime fun from being disrupted by a host of pests, here are a few things you can do that will get your backyard ready for spring and keep pesky bugs at bay.

Tidy Up the Landscaping

There is probably nothing more appealing to various species of bugs than some overgrown bushes and trees to hide in. Long grass also makes an excellent home to such pests as fleas and ticks. These aren’t the sort of bugs you want hanging around this spring as they can carry and transmit some pretty harmful diseases to either you or your pets.

Before the warmer weather hits and bugs make a home of your backyard, take an afternoon or two to clean up the landscaping of your yard. Trim back trees and bushes and cut back tall grass. You will also want to clear away any piles of moldy leaves and debris that accumulated over the winter as these will draw unwanted pests like flies to your yard.

Have Your Yard Treated

One thing you should consider doing after you take the time to clean up the landscaping of your backyard is having professional pest control in Riverside come out and treat the area. This is a measure that will not only help to dispel any pests that might be hibernating in your yard, but it is also a preventative step that will go a long way to keeping bugs at bay.

Another reason to have your yard treated is it will make it less likely that your home will experience a pest infestation indoors this spring.

Eliminate Standing Water

Areas of your yard that accumulate standing water will need to be addressed as well. It is a good idea to do a quick check for any areas that might have standing water as most insects and bugs seek out stagnant water, particularly in the springtime, in order to lay their eggs. If you find any pools of water, it is worth purchasing topsoil or some other filler to even out the level of your yard.

Once your grass is cut to an acceptable level, find those areas of the lawn that have depressed during the wet winter months. These can be filled with a combination of soil and sand and then leveled out using the right garden tools. It might also be worth considering adding some compost or lawn fertilizer to the mix in order to promote the growth of healthy grass.