Keeping pesky pests away from your patio is no easy feat. You spend all that time creating the perfect outdoor space, only to have it ruined by an army of creepy crawlers. Whether you’re dealing with mosquitoes, cockroaches, or something even scarier, it can feel like there’s nothing you can do about it. However, that’s not true! Keeping pests out of your yard is a challenge but not an impossible one. With the right approach and preparation, you can keep pests from crawling under your house or scuttling through the bushes on your lawn. Here are 10 tips to help you get rid of pests from your patio and ensure they stay gone for good.
Check for Holes
If you’ve lived in your home for a while, you probably know all the places where pests can sneak in. But if you’re new to a particular space, it’s important to do a thorough inspection to check for holes that pests can get into your home through. Look around your patio and the surrounding area for places where pests can get in, like gaps in the seal around your door or holes in your windows. Check under your patio furniture, too—many pests like to hide in places like under patio furniture, under your deck, or in the plants around your yard. If you find any holes, schedule an appointment with a professional to get them fixed as soon as possible. Pests will use any opportunity to get indoors, so it’s important to plug these holes before they have a chance to do any damage.
Dry Up Standing Water
Pests are drawn to standing water in the same way that mosquitoes are. Keeping your outdoor space dry and free of puddles will help keep pests away. You can use the “swampy” areas of your yard to accomplish this. These include places like the low spots near your patio or where the ground slopes away from your house. This is especially important during the spring and summer months when mosquitoes are most active.
Use Natural Deterrents
Certain plants have natural properties that make them less prone to pests. You can use these plants to your advantage to help keep pests away from your patio. Some of the best plants for keeping pests away include citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and citrus. You can also try planting basil around your patio, as it has been shown to be effective against mosquitoes.
Buy Pesticides Wisely
Before you run out and buy a whole bunch of pesticides, it’s important to understand which pests you’re dealing with. Start by taking a close look at the pests you’ve been seeing in your yard. Learn about the types of pests in your area and any common pests that might be hanging around your patio. For example, mosquitoes are a big problem in many parts of the US, but not all mosquitoes are harmful. If you’re in an area where mosquitoes are known to spread diseases, though, you definitely need to take action. You should also research the type of pests in your area so you know which pesticides will work best against them. You don’t want to purchase a pesticide that’s not effective against the pests in your yard.
Install UV Lights
Visible light is useful for all kinds of things, including keeping pests at bay. Specifically, ultraviolet lights can help get rid of pests like roaches and fleas. UV lights aren’t toxic and don’t pose any risk to humans or other animals. However, they can be very effective against certain pests. Using UV lights around your patio can help keep these pests away, leaving your space safer and cleaner.
Get a Healthy Lawn
A healthy lawn is a great way to keep pests out of your patio. A healthy lawn will have less bugs and pests because it’s properly maintained and has the right soil. You can learn more about how to get a healthy lawn by reading our article here. A healthy yard will also help prevent pests from getting into your home in the first place. Healthy plants draw fewer pests, so they’ll be less likely to hang out near your patio.
Seal Up Doors and Windows
If you’ve determined that pests are making their way into your patio through holes in your door or windows, it’s important to seal them up. You can use a silicone sealant to plug open spaces where pests can crawl through. Be sure to apply the sealant in a way that won’t leave an obvious gap—pests are clever and will find gaps that are almost closed. Alternatively, you could replace any broken or damaged window panes or doors. This is obviously a more drastic solution and may not be feasible for all properties. If you choose to replace your doors and windows, make sure to keep a close eye on the new panes to prevent pests from crawling through.
Try Electronic Pest Control
If you’ve tried all of the other methods on this list and pests are still a problem, you may want to consider using electronic pest control. While these devices are certainly more extreme than the other methods on this list, they can be very effective in certain situations. Electronic pest control devices work by emitting high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans but very uncomfortable for pests. Electronic pest control devices like this are most useful for outdoor use, as they produce a sound wave that travels far.
Conclusion
Keeping pests away from your patio is a challenge but not an impossible one. With the right approach and preparation, you can keep pests from crawling under your house or scuttling through the bushes on your lawn. To do this, you first need to identify which pests are in your yard and how they’re getting in. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can take steps to keep them out. You can start by checking for holes in your home, keeping your yard dry and free of standing water, and using natural deterrents like plants. You can also use electronic pest control or seal up doors and windows to prevent pests from getting inside entirely.