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2 Types Of Pests That Can Make Your Outdoor Space Less Enjoyable

by Daniel Herrera

After spending hours digging dandelions out of your grass and perfecting your flowerbeds, it can be frustrating to deal with illusive issues created by pest infestations. Unfortunately, missing the signs of early problems could cause thousands of dollars worth of damage or put your family in danger. Here are two types of pests that can make your outdoor space less enjoyable, and how you might be able to tip the scales in your favor:

1: Rodents

Rodents like mice, voles, and gophers might seem like nostalgic additions to your yard, but they might be the reason that your yard looks less-than-pristine. Here are a few issues that burrowing animals can cause:

  • Lawns: Does your lawn contain strange, grass-free paths, hills, or brand-new holes you never noticed before? Since rodents like voles and gophers like to create deep networks under the soil, it can severely damage the consistency of your lawn. If you don't act early to eliminate rodents, you might have to completely till and re-level your soil, before laying down fresh sod.
  • Gardens: Rodents will eat whatever is handy, which might mean that your freshly grown strawberries don't stand a chance.
  • Flowerbeds: Believe it or not, rodents won't stop when your entire garden is harvested. By digging a little deeper, these pests can gain easy access to flower bulbs and gnaw them away—so that your flowers don't bloom in the first place.
  • Trees: Those trees might seem invincible against tiny, furry animals, but rodents can actually kill trees. Voles can eat through tree root systems, introducing disease and destroying your tree's chances for survival.

Unfortunately, because rodents can escape through intricate tunnel systems and hide in tiny places, they can be difficult to eradicate. If you suspect that rodents are damaging your yard, contact an exterminator. By laying traps, using effective rodent poisons, and eliminating breeding grounds, your pest control professional might be able to preserve your yard. 

2: Spiders

Nothing can ruin a leisurely Sunday afternoon on your front porch quite like a spider dangling in your face. Unfortunately, if you have a problem with spiders, they can do more than give you the heebie-geebies. Poisonous spiders, like the Black Widow or the Brown Recluse, can cause serious health problems like nerve damage, skin damage, or even death. Here are a few places spiders might lurk, and how your exterminator can eliminate the threat:

  • Rock Walls: Do you have retaining walls, ornamental rocks, or cinderblock planters in your garden? If so, you might also have spiders nesting around your yard. Spiders adore untouched, messy areas where they have easy access to passing prey.
  • Wood Piles: That stack of chopped wood might come in handy during power outages, but it might also attract spiders. If possible, keep woodpiles neat and tidy. Try to rotate through chopped wood so that spiders don't have stable places to create webs.  
  • Storage Sheds: Storage sheds make it easy for you to access gardening equipment like lawnmowers and shovels, but they can become a safe haven for spiders during the cold season. To prevent problems, seal off cracks and gaps in your storage shed, and keep the entire area clean and well swept.

Although it might seem impossible to target traveling pests like spiders, pest control professionals, like U.S. Pest Control, might be able to treat your yard with a residual insecticide. These special insecticides can stay in place as long as six months to a year, clinging to spiders that cross their paths. Residual insecticides are perfect for areas like swing sets, patios, and porches—where people, and spiders, might hang out.

Recognizing the signs of pest infestations and acting early might help you to protect your garden, enjoy your yard, and fend off unplanned expenses. 

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