Fall Lawn Care to Help Keep Pests Away

How raking keeps pests away

If youโ€™ve been following us, you already know fall is the most active season for pests. Unfortunately, weโ€™re not just talking about indoor pests, either. All kinds of pests become particularly active as winter approaches–including the yard destroyers. A lot of people tend to scale back their yard maintenance as summer ends. Unfortunately, this can have disastrous consequences–and ones that last longer than a season.

Luckily, just like all pest problems, these consequences are preventable. Here are the top four simple lawn maintenance routines you should keep up this fall. If youโ€™ve already stopped doing these things, donโ€™t panic! Just get back on them before winterโ€™s first frost, and youโ€™ll go a long way toward preventing pest infestations.

Keep mowing

For whatever reason, many homeowners think they should stop mowing their lawns once summerโ€™s over. Some stop mowing almost completely as early as September! Grass doesnโ€™t stop growing as early as we tend to think it does. In fact, most yards keep on keeping on until frost. Your yard isnโ€™t the only thing โ€œkeeping on,โ€ either. All the pests that love long grass are hanging in there, too. If anything, theyโ€™re more active than ever.

Bugs like the Japanese beetle, European chafer, and Chinch bug all feed on long grasses. Japanese beetles also deposit their larvae, so it can feed on overgrown root systems. If you donโ€™t stop pests like this, theyโ€™ll return to trouble you next spring and beyond. Grass does grow less quickly in fall, so you wonโ€™t have to mow as often. When you mow, make sure you set your mower to the appropriate length. Mowing too low could create its own problems.

rake up and remove leaves

Rake up (and remove!) leaves

Fallen leaves are a pest paradise. All kinds of pests feed on them, and theyโ€™re usually a great source of moisture, too. If you let leaves blow across your yard, pests could follow them all the way to your home. They also serve as cover for autumn infiltrators like roaches, boxelders, and even rodents. Beetles, spiders, and even termites–as in, wood-eating termites–are attracted to leaves. Whether theyโ€™re wet or soggy, leaves draw in pests from all over.

Itโ€™s not enough to simply gather leaves into a pile, either. In fact, if anything piles of leaves just allow pests to congregate in larger numbers. Laying out leaves in bags around the side of the house wonโ€™t cut it, either. When stink bugs or boxelders congregate in leaf piles, they give off a pheromone that attracts other bugs nearby. After gathering up leaves, put them in a plastic bag and take it to your local compost. Raking regularly will significantly help keep bugs at bay.

Declutter

Obviously, falling leaves arenโ€™t the only clutter fall tends to bring down on your yard. As trees go dormant and winds pick up, all kinds of natural debris tends to swirl around. Chances are, a lot of it ends up in your yard. It gets stuck to fences, crumples up under decks, or gets hung up on ornamental plants and ornaments. Twigs, seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, bark, and garbage all have a way ofโ€ฆ just collecting in your yard in fall.

However it got there and whatever it is, you should remove it from your yard. The more cluttered and messy your yard, the more inviting it is to pests. Rodents, beetles, stink bugs, and all kinds of other fall โ€œfavoritesโ€ love sneaking around under cover. The problem is, all those pests rarely stay outside. Once things cool down, theyโ€™ll be looking for somewhere warm. Somewhere like your home, conveniently located right there. You donโ€™t want that, so you should keep your yard as clean as you can.

Keep weeding

Keep weeding

Yeah, we know this one isnโ€™t fair. Remember how we said grass doesnโ€™t stop growing just because itโ€™s fall? Well, weeds really donโ€™t stop growing in fall. Itโ€™s like they were looking for one last chance to make trouble for you. Weeding is arguably more important in fall than ever, because your yard is vulnerable. If you donโ€™t pull out weeds now, they could do some serious damage before frost. Then thereโ€™s the pest problem. Always, the pest problem.

Different kinds of weeds attract all kinds of different pests. Everything, from flies to beetles to termites (again, ugh) are attracted to weeds as a food or moisture source. Even bees and wasps may be particularly attracted to pollen-producing weeds as a last-minute snack. You should keep weeding as long as you keep mowing: right up until frost. Youโ€™ll help preserve your lawnโ€™s health and fend off pests at the same time.

โ€Œ

Yeah, we know this sounds like a lot of work. And we know itโ€™s probably not how you pictured spending your fall. Look at it this way: you worked hard taking care of your yard all summer. You shouldnโ€™t let all that hard work go to waste in a couple short weeks. If you care for your yard now, it wonโ€™t just prevent pests this fall–itโ€™ll save winter and spring, too.

If any of those outdoor pests decide to invite themselves inside, give Griffin a call anytime. Our experts will wipe out indoor pests and make sure you have a safe and secure winter and spring.

The Pests in Your Basement this Fall

Seal openings in your home to keep pests out.

Fall is prime pest season. All kinds of pests know winter is coming, and theyโ€™re scrambling to sneak into a warm place. Basements are a pestโ€™s favorite hiding place. Theyโ€™re dark, damp, temperature-controlled, and secluded. Youโ€™ll deal with more pests in fall than you do during other seasons. Youโ€™ll find more pests in your basement than you will in the rest of your home. Youโ€ฆ probably see where this is going.

Itโ€™s unavoidable: all kinds of pests are going to try to get into your basement this fall. Theyโ€™ll sneak, squeeze, and scramble in from any tiny opening they get as if their lives depend on it. Just because you canโ€™t stop them from trying doesnโ€™t mean you have to let them succeed, however. If you take action now, even the most audacious autumn pests wonโ€™t be able to bug you this fall. Hereโ€™s what youโ€™re up against, and how to come out on top.

Silverfish

Silverfish are small, wingless insects with silver-grey, segmented bodies and bristled tails. They require highly humid environments to survive, so theyโ€™re a common basement-dweller all year long. During fall, theyโ€™re particularly attracted to your basement as a source of warmth. Silverfish prefer environments that are 70 to 80โ„‰. They feed on starchy materials like wood, paper, glue, and linen. The silverfish in your basement probably huddle beneath a food source in a particularly damp, warm area.

If silverfish canโ€™t access moisture, theyโ€™ll dry out and die. Try to figure out where the high humidity in your basement comes from. Look for drafts coming from windows, door frames, hatches, or vents. Make sure your sump pump works properly and doesnโ€™t leak. While youโ€™re at it, look for plumbing leaks and other sources of stray humidity, too. Controlling humidity wonโ€™t just help with silverfish; itโ€™ll help repeal all kinds of other pests, too. Pests like…

cockroaches in your basement this fall

Roaches

Like silverfish, roaches are very attracted to humidity. Theyโ€™ll often seek out kitchens, bathrooms, or basements in order to access the moisture they need to survive. The most problematic roach in Michigan–the German cockroach–also highly prefers warm temperatures. Like rodents (weโ€™ll get to them), theyโ€™re very good at following the warmth back to its source. Once inside, roaches tend to hide near food sources during the day and come out to forage at night.

Unlike silverfish, roaches donโ€™t stick to one area in your basement. Instead, theyโ€™ll migrate throughout your home. Since theyโ€™ll go anywhere, youโ€™ll have to check everywhere. Look for plumbing leaks under sinks, against basement walls, and near utility lines. Roaches love hiding near leaks and food, so depriving them of cover helps, too. Elevate boxes and other storage materials and keep them in dedicated, organized spaces. The clearer and cleaner the floor, the fewer places roaches will have to hide.

Spiders

Michiganโ€™s many spider species have similar habits: they follow the food. The best way for spiders to feed in fall is by following their prey into overwintering locations. Whether you have orb-weaving or hunting spiders, chances are theyโ€™re in your home chasing prey. Michiganโ€™s spiders canโ€™t survive winter without taking drastic steps, so infiltrating your home kills two birds with one stone. Spiders are highly proficient climbers, so they can find access points from any angle or elevation.

Spiders generally build their nests near bug โ€œhighwaysโ€ in your home, where theyโ€™re most likely to catch prey. In fact, by tracking down webs you can track down these โ€œbug highwaysโ€ and do something about them. Look for access points such as small cracks and crevices near the cobwebs in your home. Patching these gaps denies pests a way in and spiders a food source at the same time. Keeping your basement clean and cobweb-free will help disrupt spider hunting, too.

mice and rats in your basement this fall

Rodents

Rats and mice are the fall pest to watch for. Rodents are extremely attuned to changes in temperature and air pressure. As soon as they feel summer temperatures changing, they start preparing for winter. They have to: rodents and mice need to spend winter in warm places in order to survive. As such, rats and mice spend pretty much all fall looking for ways into warm structures. Unfortunately, theyโ€™reโ€ฆ very good at it.

Rodents can actually track warm drafts or food smells around a homeโ€™s perimeter until they find small openings. Rodents primarily find openings near utility lines, window and door frames, and vents. Check around these areas and seal them off with caulk or steel wool as necessary. Replace old weatherstripping and worn vent covers. Finally, vacuum, mop, and sweep your home diligently all fall and winter. Itโ€™s difficult to keep rodents from smelling your food, but you can keep them from getting it.

โ€Œ

Even in the midst of pest season, itโ€™s important to remember: keeping your basement pest-free is never impossible. It might seem like thereโ€™s โ€œalways another way in,โ€ but thereโ€™s not. If you keep following pest control tips like these, you can make your basement a pest-free zone.

If you ever need help removing your current pests or keeping future ones out, give Griffin a call. Weโ€™ll help make sure you can enjoy your fall to the fullest–without worrying about pests in your basement.

Preparing for Fall Pests

Preparing for fall pests

Earlier this month, we listed four of the most common pest infestations that happen in late summer. Each of these pests had something in common: they were all trying to get out of the cold. Unfortunately, these pests donโ€™t stop trying to sneak their way to warmth just because it’s fall. In fact, they only try harder.

Fall is the perfect time for preventative pest maintenance because itโ€™s warm enough that you can still go outside and get work done without freezing. The earlier you pest-proof your home, the fewer pests will be able to use your home as their own personal winter vacation pad. Here are four simple things you could do this fall to minimize your risk of a winter-long pest infestation. Winter is rough enough on its own!

Yard Work

doing yard work this fall will help prevent pest infestation

If your yard gets bogged down in long, dying grass, fallen leaves, or untrimmed bushes and shrubs, opportunistic pests WILL find it. It would be bad enough if hordes of pests just hung around eating your yard and making themselves a nuisance, but they wonโ€™t just stay there. When it starts getting colder, theyโ€™ll be all-too-happy to move right in.

Rake up fallen leaves to avoid having soggy piles build up in your yard. Mow your lawn short until it stops growing, and donโ€™t forget to trim your bushes. Pests often use decorative yard plants as ladders, so itโ€™s a good idea to keep a border of at least 3 feet between the edges of your home and plant life. As winds pick up and temperatures drop, pick up fallen debris from nearby trees and shrubs. Finally, make sure your yard isnโ€™t absorbing too much moisture. There should never been puddles of stagnant water on your property.

Border Maintenance

reinforcing borders and other entrances to your home will help prevent pest infestation this fall

While youโ€™re outside, take the time to walk the perimeter of your home. Look for any small cracks or gaps pests could use to get inside. These cracks wonโ€™t always look the way youโ€™d expect. One common way pests get into homes is by crawling up utility lines like pipes and electrical wires. They follow the line and squeeze through small gaps where the utilities enter the home. Pests like spiders and cockroaches can even crawl through plumbing vents and chimneys on the roof.

First, caulk over the gaps around utility lines. Then, check each window and door frame and sill. Replace old weatherstripping, make sure doors and windows are seated correctly, and check for drafts. Window frames tend to be particularly vulnerable, so check them thoroughly and repair them as necessary. Donโ€™t forget about windows in the basement or attic, either. Make sure youโ€™ve got all the entrances covered–big and small, high and low–and youโ€™ll go a long way toward a pest-free winter.

Decluttering

cleaning up your basement can help prevent pest infestations this fall

Clutter doesnโ€™t just help pests while theyโ€™re outside. The messier your home is, the more places pests have to hide and nest. Cluttered, junk-filled basements provide all kinds of the dark, confined, humid places that pests love, and theyโ€™re really good at seeking them out. Itโ€™s easy to let things pile up in your basement, attic, or storage place, especially in the winter. Remember, however: the longer you go without cleaning, the more comfortable pests will feel living in your home.

Everyone knows about โ€œspring cleaningโ€, but no one ever talks about โ€œfall clean upโ€. You should change that. Go through your basement, attic, closets, and other storage places this fall. Clean out anything you donโ€™t need. Organize everything youโ€™re keeping and make sure itโ€™s in a safe, secure place. Pests are shy by necessity, so the harder it is to find shelter in your home, the less theyโ€™ll want to stay. We guess you could say youโ€™re making your home โ€œscaryโ€ clean!

Good Habits

Developing good anti-pest habits will help prevent infestation this fall

Probably the most important thing you can do to keep pests away is to develop some good anti-pest habits. Itโ€™s not enough to spend a couple days in fall over-preparing for pests like a student cramming the night before a test. Youโ€™ll experience much more success (and fewer pests!) if you keep up with your anti-pest regimen all fall and winter long.

First, donโ€™t let clothes, food, boxes, or other junk pile up in your basement, mud room, or garage. Take the garbage out to the dumpster as soon as itโ€™s full, and keep it in plastic bags. Dispose of anything pungent or compostable in the dumpster right away, instead of letting it sit in the dumpster. Get routine maintenance problems like plumbing leaks dealt with as quickly as possible. Pick up yard clutter in the snow every now and then, even if itโ€™s cold out. Store firewood away from the house, never up against it.

 

Fall is pest season crunch time. Our rodential rivals and insectoid irritants will be doing absolutely everything they can to stay warm over the winter, so weโ€™ve got to do everything we can to keep them out.

Following steps like these during your โ€œfall cleanupโ€ (yes, weโ€™re making it a thing) will go a long way toward keeping even the most desperate and creative of pests out of your home. And remember, in the unfortunate event you do end up with an infestation, donโ€™t panic! Just give Griffin a call. Weโ€™ll seal things up and get pests out.