Garden pest control needs to include protection against both fleas and ticks. Why? Because they aren’t just irritating elements you run into while you’re tending your yard. They can make you sick. It’s important to find the product best capable of controlling your outdoor risks–without endangering your plants.
Here are a few options to keep an eye on:
Selective products
Pesticides can be used for all insects, for groups of insects like “flying insects” or for specific species. The more you can narrow down a product’s purpose, the more effective it will be. Generally speaking, this will also lower your risks of complications. An all-around pesticide not only poses health risks to you, your family and your guests but may destroy your grass or flowers.
While professionals have access to a wider range of products, gardeners may find a limited selection on the store shelf. If you don’t have luck at the gardening center, try a local pet store or vet clinic. Flea and tick prevention is popular among dog owners. Just make sure to use a product suitable for the outdoors. Flea bombs and the like are ineffective outside, and likely won’t provide any protection at all.
Spot treatments
Traditionally, spot treatments are more effective for garden pests, simply because it’s more likely for infestations to be concentrated in specific areas. There’s no need to cover the whole lawn, and limiting your treatments to where they are needed helps to limit the risks of pesticide use for your grass and your guests.
However, many spot treatment products have specific guidelines to be followed. Granules often need to be watered in, while sprays may lose effectiveness in the rain. Others don’t hold up well in sunny areas and are best used in the shade. To a degree, the best garden pest control for your situation will depend on the elements at play in your lawn, so it pays to do your homework–or to hire it out to someone else.
Natural solutions
If you can’t afford professional treatments or you’re sensitive to pesticides, there are a number of natural ways to try to contain pests. Introducing nematodes into your environment is surprisingly effective and easy to do. These miniscule worms are naked to the human eye and delivered via aerosol. The worms secrete a toxin that attacks both fleas and ticks. Clove extract and peppermint essential oils are also effective in warding off biting insects.
Unfortunately, “natural” does not always mean “safe,” so it’s important to question a natural product’s effectiveness and appropriateness before an application. Sprays containing harsh essential oils may harm your grass, and they can be deadly for your pets. For instance, cats have an extremely low tolerance to tea tree oil with even a drop leading to deadly levels of toxicity.
Need help with garden pest control? Have questions about the best mosquito control methods for your yard? Now is a great time to get answers.Call (678) 648-2556 to contact our friendly professionals at Think Green today to learn more about garden pest control.
