By Lannan M. O’Brien

When the weather is warm, the last place you want to be is stuck inside—and for those of us who enjoy gardening, landscaping or simply lounging in the sun, our backyards should be a private oasis. But if you’ve experienced problems with insects and other pests on your property, it may have caused you to retreat indoors. 

Many critters can be a nuisance, but they shouldn’t prevent you from spending time in your yard. We spoke with local pest control experts for tips on how to manage them so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces.

Ticks

Cape residents are all too aware of the dangers of tick bites. Taking precautions like wearing long-sleeved clothing and using DEET insect repellent while on walks in the woods, but what if you find ticks in your own yard? A frequent problem encountered by Pat Mercer, owner of Cape Cod Tick & Mosquito, is unmowed lawns. “We love the look of wild landscapes, but they’re a haven for insects,” he said, referring to the growing environmentally friendly trend. Taller grasses are a habitat for mice, Mercer explained, and mice often carry ticks. 

Of course, yard maintenance is important, but seasonal changes out of our control can also impact tick activity. An annual hard frost is required for ticks to go dormant in the winter, allowing them to become active again in the spring. “A big part of the tick problem this year especially is the mild winter we had,” Mr. Mercer said. The weather change caused them to feed all winter, and then become active again after many homeowners received their spring treatments. “There’s not really much we can do. So if we missed some ticks in the spring, we’ll run out there and respray the property at no charge.” 

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are another story. Becoming active in early May, these pests feed every two weeks and they require water to reproduce—which means a dry period followed by a heavy rain often leads to an increase in mosquitoes. Homeowners should consider where mosquitoes could be laying their eggs and address those areas first, Mr. Mercer advised. For instance, remove standing water from your property, and keep an eye on any dips in the landscape. These insects have good instincts, too: “They’ll lay eggs on a bottle cap or an upturned leaf knowing that it’s going to fill with water,” Mr. Mercer said. For fall treatments, or for general information about Cape Cod Tick & Mosquito’s services, visit
www.capecodtick.com.

Raccoons And Rodents

Particularly in the fall, locals might experience issues with wildlife like raccoons, mice, squirrels and other rodents. In Rodney Willette’s experience at Sandwich-based All Calls Pest Control, the most common entryways for animals are chimneys and attics, the latter via roof vents. Homeowners might have pest problems, Mr. Willette said. “If they don’t have a cap on their chimney or wire the louvers.” He added that roofers often do not install ridge vents, or may use vent caps made of light material, both of which can invite unwelcome guests. Mr. Willette advised against attempting to solve issues with rodents (or insects, for that matter) independently, since finding the right products for each job is a task in itself. “I recommend that we do the job,” he said. Mr. Willette and his son, Erik Willette, operate the business together. Information about their services is available at ​​www.allcallspest.com.

Other Insects

In late summer and fall, Mike Travers of Sandwich-based EcoGeek Pest Control said, homeowners should expect to see stinging insects (for example, bees, wasps, hornets and yellowjackets), carpenter ants, spiders, cluster flies and boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles. As the weather begins to cool, many of these insects congregate near buildings and attempt to enter homes as they search for “overwintering sites.”

General Pest Management Tips

In order to be proactive and prevent future problems, Mr. Travers echoed the importance of removing standing water, sealing entry points and maintaining your yard. He also offered the following tips for general pest management:

Prune vegetation: “Trim bushes, trees and shrubs away from the house and ensure they don’t touch exterior walls. This prevents pests from using branches as bridges to access the home.”

Store firewood properly: “If you have firewood, store it away from the house and above the ground. This helps prevent infestations of wood-boring insects and rodents.”

Keep garbage secure: “Use tightly sealed trash bins and dispose of garbage regularly to avoid attracting pests like ants, flies and raccoons.”

Use outdoor lighting wisely: “Consider using yellow or sodium vapor lights instead of white lights. White lights can attract flying insects at night.”

Monitor plant health: “Regularly inspect plants for signs of pest infestations or diseases. Early detection allows for more targeted and less harmful treatments.”

Practice smart gardening: “Select pest-resistant plants and utilize natural predators like ladybugs and praying mantises to control insect populations.”

Implement natural repellents: “Use natural repellents like citronella candles or essential oils to discourage insects from congregating in specific areas.”

Winter Pest Control Measures

There are additional measures that homeowners can take over the winter in order to avoid pest problems come spring. Mr. Travers advised clearing plant debris, including fallen leaves, plants and vegetables; removing any garden structures where pests could hide; checking for insect eggs; and winterizing compost bins. Additionally, homeowners may consider introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or nematodes to the garden during the offseason for pest control in the spring. “By adopting these practices, homeowners can create an environment that discourages pests and minimizes the need for chemical interventions, promoting a healthier and more pest-resistant yard throughout the year,” he said. For information about EcoGeek Pest Control’s services, visit
www.ecogeekpestcontrol.com.