For most homeowners, the idea of having a beautiful lawn is high on their list of priorities. Unfortunately, when pests are introduced to the yard it can become difficult to maintain the conditions you want in order to have a healthy lawn. However, with these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring that your lovely yard is free of those pesky insects!
1 – Use A Natural Pesticide
There are many pesticides on the market that work to kill off any insects in your yard. However, while these chemicals have been proven effective they also have a negative impact on the environment and can cause health problems for anyone who may come into contact with them. Instead of using a harmful pesticide that will kill everything, including pollinators, try looking into natural pesticides for lawns and other organic solutions. This will get rid of your infestation without having a negative and lasting impact on the environment.
2 – Remove Weeds
The first step in maintaining your lawn is removing weeds. Weeds might seem innocent enough, but they can sprout up all over your yard causing problems with mowing and soil conditions. They can sap the nutrients from your soil and attract pests, making them a problem you need to deal with quickly. Many pests and bugs use weeds as their food source or home base. For best results, weed weekly in order to stay ahead of the problem at hand. If you notice weeds popping up in the cracks of your driveway, try covering them with ground rock salt to get rid of them faster.
3 – Tidy Up by Removing Old Dead and Dying Leaves
To keep pests away, it’s also necessary to remove dead and dying leaves from the yard. After all, there’s no reason for these wet piles of vegetation to be sitting around when you could simply get rid of them once their season is over! For large areas where leaves are piling up, using a leaf blower will reduce the amount of time you need to spend getting rid of them and keep your yard looking clean and healthy. Not only will this help you maintain a healthy lawn, but it will also give you the chance to inspect your garden for pests that might be lurking in the fallen leaves. Also, make sure that any leaf piles are burnt or moved away from your area, since some animals may choose these areas as their new home if they aren’t removed.
4 – Fertilize The Soil
Fertilizing the soil is an important step when it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn environment. You’ll want to look into an organic fertilizer so you don’t need to worry about chemicals being used on the grass while still getting great results! The best time of year to apply fertilizers is in early spring and then again in late summer for ar great growing season. Make sure to pay attention to how your plants look and by all means pick any weeds that come up, especially if you have a history of pests and weeds in your yard. It’s important to be proactive when it comes to keeping a healthy lawn and pest-free garden!
5 – Maintain Your pH Balance
Maintaining a balanced pH for the soil in your yard is another important step towards pest control. When fertilizing, it’s best to focus on specific areas where you notice pests hanging around. This includes areas underneath the deck where wood is rotting or cracks in the pavement. If you find pests are hanging around certain areas of your yard, try adding a little extra fertilizer to that area in order to encourage growth. Checking the pH is a great way to make sure your plants don’t become sick and it also keeps your soil from becoming too acidic or alkaline. If you find that your soil needs a boost, try adding some organic matter like shredded bark to the area in order to fix the pH.
6 – Inspect Often For Pests In Your Yard
Lastly, it’s very important to inspect your yard often in order to prevent pests from invading your home. Take a walk around the yard every few weeks and look for any nests or signs of infestation. Make sure to check in corners and under furniture, since these can be common places for bugs and other pests to build their homes. Also, paying attention to your plants by cutting off dead leaves and stems as well as keeping an eye out for bugs can help you to notice any infestation early on. If you have a history of pests in your home, it’s probably best to take preventative steps by checking often and treating the lawn regularly with a natural fertilizer.
7 – Provide Shelter For Beneficial Insects
While it’s desirable to get rid of any pests in your yard, it’s important to remember that the presence of insects is beneficial for your soil and plants. Pests such as snails and earthworms help loosen up the dirt and fertilize the ground, so they are important to have around in small numbers. It’s also useful to provide shelter for insects that will help you fight off any pest infestations in your yard. For example, bees and ladybugs eat aphids which can be harmful to plants, so encouraging these insects is beneficial when it comes to keeping your garden healthy!
You may have heard that many gardeners and homeowners prefer organic fertilizers to chemical ones. This is because they do not need to worry about the harmful chemicals on their lawn, while still getting great results. The best time of year for this type of fertilizer application is in early spring and late summer, which will provide a wonderful growing season for your plants (and weeds). It’s important to inspect often as well as remove any dead leaves or stems from your plant life. You should also keep an eye out for pests such as snails and earthworms who help loosen up dirt and fertilize soil – these are beneficial insects so make sure you offer shelter when possible!
