•The major factor in controlling pests on your property is to make the environment unfriendly to them. A clean and neat landscape, well cared for, is usually not conducive to harboring most types of pests. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Here are some common guidelines for outdoor pest control:
• Keep plants trimmed off the ground and not touching the house.
• Clear debris in the yard. This alone will solve many problems. Insects such as earwigs, sow bugs, ant colonies, snails, rodents and snakes use debris areas to breed and nest.
• Pets should be fed, and then the dishes picked up, especially at night. Pet food is a big food source for many wild animals that bring fleas and ticks to your home.
• Water bowls must be emptied or brought inside at night. Most wild animals and many insects are nocturnal, and this is their nightly water source.
• Garbage cans must have lids and be kept shut, even while inside your garage. Oriental cockroaches (water bugs), flies, mice and many other pests depend on your garbage to survive.
• Leaky faucets and irrigation pipes must be fixed to prevent wet and puddle areas around your home.
• Seal the tiny cracks that leak air out of your home. Insects and spiders easily find these openings and gain entrance.
• Make sure the weather stripping on your garage and outside doors seals properly.

The way you deal with your landscape and the perimeter of your home makes a difference in controlling pest problems. All pests need food, water, and shelter. Where is the best shelter on your property? Your home, and they would love to share it with you!!!

The main key to remember is that insects are small animals that are part of the lesser food chain. The way you deal with your landscape and the perimeter of your home makes a difference. Pests need food, water, and shelter. Your home is the best shelter on your property, and insects usually love to get inside.