Things You Are Doing to Attract Insects and Pests to Property

This page is a general DIY guide that explains some of the reasons insects and other pests are invading your home or yard. By using the recommended products and methods you can ensure complete pest control and prevent future infestations.

Though mother nature is home to numerous flying and crawling insects it is still frustrating for homeowners to run into these bothersome pests. Whether mowing your yard or going on walks with your pets or friends pests such as mosquitoes or ants can quickly render your time and mood. Unfortunately, these pests are often attracted to the same things that homeowners are doing or using.

Depending on the pests, there could be a wide range of possibilties for a property infestation. However, most pests are adapated with several attributes that allow them to survive in any environment. In this article, you will learn how to avoid the most common things around your that attracts insects and other pests. 

Available Food Lying Around

This is one of the top reasons for a recurring insect and pest problem such as rodents, raccoons, or opossums. These pests enjoy the leftovers of the smallest piece of food left behind in outdoor and indoor locations. This could include leftover bird seed from your bird feeders or feed left on the ground for poultry.

If these conditions are not present then it could be that you are inadvertently feeding other pests from leaving uneaten pet food out throughout the day and night. Rodents such as mice and rats are scavengers that will squeeze through the smallest of opening through a cage or door to reach your pets uneaten food.

Some insect species like flies and cockroaches and other types of pests depend on their sense of smell to find veritable food sources. Open trash containers, piles of unclean dishes, and leftover food crumbs provide an enticing invitation to pests.

Regular cleanups including vacuuming and storage of uneaten or open foods such as bread or dog food will be needed. We recommend storing these food materials within tightly-sealed plastic containers to deter pests from chewing through the food products. Other food sources such as trash will need to kept bagged and sealed within a closed trash container. Remember to store all outdoor trashcans several feed away from your home to avoid pests from traveling inside your home.

Stagnant Water

Any water that does not move and remains in place attracts numerous types of pests. The most popular pests that are the results of moisture issues would be the cockroach and mosquito. Stagnant water sources can be seen as rain puddles, water in potted plants or tires, ponds, water fountains, pools, and other objects in your yard that collects water. Inside your home be sure to look around plumbing, underneath sinks, behind and under kitchen appliances, attics, and basements as humidity or other moisture issues are most commonly found in these locations.

To fight against mosquitoes and other outdoor insects, remove standing water by overturning objects collecting water. For unleveled pieces of land collecting water and other areas where water cannot easily be removed should be treated with a larvicide.

We recommend using BTI Mosquito Dunks, which is a biodegradable floating larvicide that will dissolve in water. The application rate for BTI Mosquito Dunk is 1 dunk per 100 sq. ft. of water surface. Once dissolved into the water this product works to eliminate mosquito and fly larvae within 48 hours of application.

Repair of the sources creating indoor moisture issues is recommended to deter insects from traveling inside of homes. If left untreated, then this not only increases the chances of pests invading inside of your home, but also the possibilities of fungal or other disease growth.

Clutter

From rodents, ants, and cockroaches these pests tend to inhibit homes with small to large amounts of clutter such as carboard boxes against the wall to piles of dirty clothes left on the floor or in hamper. These conditions creates the appearance of less homeowner activity and a method of safe traveling or habitats for pests.

Whether these sources contain food or not they are attractive to pests that may seek materials needed for nests such as paper or fabric needed for rodent nests. Therefore it is necessary to pull storage boxes and other objects from against the surface of the walls. This helps to limit covered areas for pests to travel and hide. It would also be best to switch from cardboard boxes to plastic storage bins to keep pests from chewing through them for nests.

To eliminate insect and rodent pests in indoor locations then you can use a glue board such as Solutions Professional Rat and Mouse Glue Tray. This glue board contains a peanut butter scented aroma to encourage pests to the product to then become entangled. Once captured these pests cannot easily escape leading to elimination from dehydration or suffocation.

Place these large and durable glue traps along the edges of walls, baseboards, in-between storage containers, underneath sinks and appliances, and other areas where insects and rodents may use for travel. Replace every 3 days or as needed until insect and rodent activity is ceased.

Cracks, Crevices, and Gaps

Insects and other types of pests are constantly seeking places that are dry and have available food and habitat sources. The presence of open spaces found within cracks, crevices, and gaps suggest to these pests the possibility of a sheltered and safe environment for them. These sites can also lead the pest to the interior structure of your home which then leads to an unwanted home invasion.

If these spaces are larger then this can lead to other types of pest infestations such as rodents or squirrels. Make sure to travel around your homes foundation to inspect for these conditions. If found then properly seal these holes, cracks, and crevices, with copper mesh and caulk. We suggest the use of copper mesh as pests that gnaw will quickly become irritated or deterred from the unchewable material.

Unkept Yard

Part of what makes a pest thrive in outdoor locations is their ability to determine suitable homes. Like homeowners, pests such as cockroaches or ants seek homes with an overabundance of shelter and moisture which is what piles of wood, leaves, and tall grass blades suggest.

Keeping your yard clean of these factors, especially areas against the foundation of homes where pests may lurk and may lead to an indoor infestation. Begin by pruning overgrown plant leaves and branches as this produces enough shade for moisture to build in turf for pests. Then clear your property of fallen leaves and sticks through raking then disposing of it in a closed trash container.

Mow your turf when it reaches a height of 3 inches to remove sheltered pathways for pest travels and conditions for habitat creation by the pest. This method also allows for increase in pesticide application and longer residual activity. We suggest an application of a residual liquid insecticide to fight against insect activity and decrease the chances of an interior insect activity.

Supreme IT is a long-lasting residual insecticide that eliminates and prevents over 70 types of insects for up to 90 days after application. For a general application, you will want to use 1 oz. of Supreme IT per gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft. Determine how much Supreme IT to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To find this measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet and multiply (length X width = square footage).

Once calculated, you will then use a handheld pump sprayer or backpack sprayer for application. Fill your selected sprayer halfway with water, then add the measured amount of Supreme IT, and then pour in the remaining half of water. Close the sprayer tank lid and shake until evenly mixed. Spray the top and bottom of leaves until wet, but not to the point of run-off.

Key Takeaways

What Type of Pests Come Into Yards?

• The most common types of property pests is mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, rats, and mice. The next type of pests most likely to invade your home or yard is squirrels, raccons, and opossums.

What Attracts Bugs, Rodents, and Other Pests to People?

• Insects and Pests are most attracted to peoples homes due to the amount of food, moisture, and sources of habitat such as piles of leaves or clutter.

Does Clean Homes Attract Pests?

• Unfortunately, all kinds of pests from cockroaches to mice do not differentiate between a clean or cluttered home. If uncluttered, then pests could be attracted to the current yards state such as overgrown grass or leaves and may suggest a potential moisture issue within homes.