The Good Life – July-August 2014

Bugs Be Gone!
Your Guide to Keeping Backyard
Pests Under Control
Let’s be blunt: nothing
ruins an evening spent
outdoors faster than being
swarmed with mosquitoes and
other summertime pests. Bug zappers,
smelly bug sprays, foggers and candles
are the most common and widely used
defenses. However, there are some
simple steps you can take that will
help strengthen your defenses
against summer’s peskiest
critters.
Mosquitoes
Limit the amount of standing
water in your yard.
The most common
attractants for mosquitoes
and other pests are the
pools of water that
form in backyards, often
from over watering the
grass or from heavy rain.
Even a small puddle, no more
than a few inches deep, can be
large enough for mosquitoes to
lay eggs in. The same is true of
large collections of water, such as
kiddie pools and water barrels. Drain
items that contain water after usage, or
store with a cover, in order to deny pests
access to the water within.
Keep your grass and plants trimmed.
Mosquitoes rest in shrubs, grass and plants. They rest mainly during
the day and become most active at dusk. Places in your yard like tall
grass and areas shaded by trees are going to have higher concentrations
of mosquitoes. Trimming your grass and plants weekly helps limit the
amount of overall resting space available to pests and also denies them
a cool spot to rest during the heat of the day.
Refrain from wearing fragrances outdoors.
Mosquitoes are attracted to bright colors and strong
fragrances. Opt for scent-free personal care products
and perfumes. Also, when selecting a bug repellent,
choose a scent-free version. They are just as effective
as scented sprays, and you won’t smell like
chemicals!
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