Keep Bugs Away From Your Outdoor Living Space

Tips to stay pest-free in your Marysville WA yard - Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestBugs and pests are a common part of outdoor life. If you’re spending more time outdoors this year than ever, you’ve likely noticed the influx of insects! Especially here in Washington, pests are at full-force in the summer and early fall. But they don’t have to ruin your time spent outside. To avoid mosquitoes in your birdbath, ants on your barbecue, or wasps in your deck, it’s important to learn how to make your yard less attractive to pests. At Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest, we are committed to ensuring our customers live pest-free—both inside and outside their home. Keep reading to learn more about our best bug-free outdoor living tips and tricks.

Top Tips to Prevent Pests in Your Yard

Most pests are simply a nuisance. House flies surrounding your outdoor trash cans or spiders crawling around in your garden are to be expected. But what about mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas? Because these pests in particular can be dangerous for you and your family, it’s important to learn what to do to prevent them. Our top tips to keep pests away from your outdoor living space are:

  1. Remove standing water. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to breed.
  2. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Overgrown grass provides mosquitoes and ticks with shelter.
  3. Be on the lookout for ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
  4. Thoroughly inspect wood structures. Your deck or porch may be vulnerable to termite or carpenter bees.
  5. Regularly clean up your outdoor space. Crumbs or spilled liquids will attract ants and other insects.
  6. Burn a few citronella candles. While not a long-term solution, this will repel mosquitoes.
  7. Try replacing light bulbs. Yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights will not attract as many insects.
  8. Apply an insect repellent. Any repellent with DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  9. Wear appropriate clothing. If you are going to be outdoors for a longer period of time, consider wearing long sleeves or pants to keep pests from biting.
  10. Use a tight-fitting lid on your trash can. Food items in an unsealed container will attract all types of pests.
  11. Store firewood away from the home. Piles of wood are a magnet for multiple kinds of pests.
  12. Plant a garden. Certain plants and herbs, including marigolds, mint, and basil, act as a natural insect repellent.

Hep With Outdoor Pests

To avoid a pest infestation inside, you need to prevent them outside first! If you are looking to implement pest prevention into your yard maintenance routine, the pest control and lawn care experts at Western are happy to help. Call our team today to learn more!

Are Cockroaches a Summer Pest Problem?

Summer roaches are a big pest problem here in Marysville WA. Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt PestIn Washington, we are used to dealing with many types of pests in the summer months. Our warm weather and mild climate makes us a prime target for pests! Few pests are as problematic this time of year as the cockroach. While roaches are able to survive year-round in a number of conditions, summer is when they thrive. The rising temperatures encourage roaches to forage for food and breed at a more rapid rate, which is why infestations are more likely than ever during the summer months. To avoid dealing with the frustration of a roach problem, the team at Western Exterminator, formerly Pratt Pest are here to help.

Why Are Summertime Roach Infestations so Common?

Cockroaches are a year-round pest problem for homes and businesses alike. That said, the summer months are when they are most likely to be active. Almost all cockroach species are known to be drawn toward warm or even damp environments. This is why they are most commonly seen in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and crawl spaces. This is also why they are more likely to infest homes in the summertime.

A lot of cockroaches will be less active in the winter to wait out the warming temperatures during the summer months. For this reason, summer roach infestations are one of the most common pest problems we get a call for this time of year.

Here’s How to Prevent Cockroaches

No one wants to deal with a cockroach problem, especially in the summertime. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to prevent these pests. Some of our top cockroach prevention tips are as follows.

  • Seal cracks and crevices in your property. Also install screens over doors and windows.
  • Regularly clean your bathrooms and kitchens. Promptly wipe up messes, crumbs, and spills.
  • Securely seal food and store in the refrigerator. Use tight-fitting lids on trash cans.
  • Promptly fix leaky/broken pipes to avoid excess moisture problems inside the property.
  • Pick up all pet food and pet food bowls after mealtimes—never leave food out overnight.

Seasonal Cockroach Control

If you have spotted a roach or two in your Marysville WA property this summer, it’s very likely there are more nearby. Cockroach populations this time of year can be enormous, making it important to always enlist the help of a professional cockroach exterminator. For more information on how Western can keep roaches out of your home or business, contact our cockroach control experts today!