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What Are the Best Tips for Backyard Bug Control?

By Henry Gaudet
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,911
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Backyard bug control becomes much easier by making the yard less attractive to insects. Limiting access to food, water and shelter for insects will make insects less likely to be drawn to a backyard. Growing plants that tend to repel insects will also help to keep them away.

One of the simplest steps for backyard bug control is the removal of water sources. Standing water in bird baths, buckets or children’s swimming pools will often attract insects. Mosquitoes in particular are drawn to standing water and will lay eggs there to multiply. Emptying these potential attractors will help keep the backyard bug population down.

Not every source of water can be removed completely, but backyard bug control measures can still be taken to keep insects away. For instance, standing water sources like rain barrels perform an important function and cannot simply be removed, but covering the barrel’s top with mesh such as window screen will hamper access. A small electric pump can agitate a decorative pond enough to make it unsuitable for mosquito eggs.

Keeping tidy lawns and hedges is another simple step in effective backyard bug control. Overgrowth such as long grass provides shelter for insects, giving them shade and a convenient place to hide from predators, such as birds, that would help naturally control the population. Long grass also holds moisture, giving bugs a good source of water and making the lawn an especially attractive home. Regular mowing takes away these benefits and makes the backyard a less hospitable environment for bugs and insects.

Leaving trash cans uncovered or partially covered will invite many pests, including insects, into the back garden. Flies often use exposed trash as a breeding ground. For backyard bug control, garbage should be bagged and tied shut before placing in the trash can. Lids should be closed fully to deny all pests access to this potential food source.

Picnics and barbecues mean that food sources are often present in backyards as well. Covering food when possible will minimize the attraction. Citronella candles and oils can be used near food to help repel insects. Alternately, perfumes, floral scented sprays and candles can often attract insects as well and should be avoided for backyard events.

Many plants can be grown as natural insect repellents. Extracts of many of these plants are used for commercial insect repellent products like sprays and candles. Marigolds, citronella grass, catnip, and rosemary all have insect repellent properties to keep bugs away, helping to provide round the clock backyard bug control and to ensure that the yard does not become an insect colony.

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Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Feryll — On May 10, 2014

When I was a kid, we had a really bad flea infestation in our yard one year. Because of the weather that year, the flea population was out of control.

It was impossible to keep the fleas off our dogs, who were indoor and outdoor pets. Eventually, the fleas were in the house as well as in the yard. I can remember wearing white socks and looking down to see them covered with little black dot, which were fleas.

We took the usually steps as far as flea collars, powders and spraying the inside of the house. Then we learned that we could treat the yard.

My dad bought some liquid flea killer from the hardware store and mixed it with water. He sprayed the yard once a month and we could see a considerable reduction in the number of fleas in the yard and in the house.

By mobilian33 — On May 09, 2014

Another natural way of keeping bugs out of your back yard is to use a lawnmower with a grass catcher. When you cut your grass and allow the clippings to remain on your lawn, you are creating the perfect hiding place for bugs.

Raking the clippings is just as good, but this method requires much more work.

By Drentel — On May 08, 2014

Many bugs live in your lawn, so using an insecticide treatment on your grass can go a long way toward decreasing your backyard bug population.

You can use a general use product that will kill a large variety of bugs. However, some bugs are good for your lawn and some help control other more harmful bugs, so you might want to consult an expert to determine what you need for your backyard.

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