Spending time outside is great until pests start showing up. Unfortunately, your backyard is the perfect place for bugs to hangout, and their presence can make it difficult to enjoy spending time outside. To control and prevent pest problems, you can treat your space with insecticides. Check out when you should treat your outdoor space for bugs.
Treating an Active Infestation
Spotting bugs in your yard is normal, but you don’t want pests taking over your space. If you’re dealing with an active infestation, you’ll want to treat your yard for bugs. Backyard pests can be a problem from spring to fall, but they’re most active in summer. There are different insecticides available to help you control the various pests that can be a problem.
Application Tips:
- If needing to treat your lawn, a plant-based hose-end insecticide spray can help. Our Yard Bug Spray kills pests on contact and provides residual repellency. During application, spray in a sweeping motion and keep moving to cover as much ground as possible.
- For ant nests, an insecticide dust can be used to treat the nest. Cover the mound with the dust, and gently puff the dust into the nest entrance.
- If you find a wasp nest, you can carefully treat the nest with our Wasp & Hornet Killer. It’s best to apply at dusk or dawn when the insects are less active and in the nest. The foaming jet spray will reach up to 18 feet, so you can keep your distance from the nest. Be sure to spray the nest opening and coat the nest.
Protecting Your Garden
Gardens are a great addition to yards, but they can also attract pests. Aphids, scale insects, and mites are a few pests that can harm plants. They feed on plant juices, which can weaken your plants. If you have a garden, you’ll want to take steps to protect it from hungry pests.
Application Tips:
- Spray plants with our 3-in-1 Garden Spray to control and prevent plant pests. Be sure to spray all areas of the plant, including the underside of leaves, until the spray runs off the tips of leaves. Make contact with as many pests as possible.
- It’s best to spray plants in the morning or evening when it’s cooler. If you’re concerned about plant sensitivity, test treat a small area of the plant first before spraying the entire plant.
- If you’re dealing with Japanese beetles, you’ll want to avoid using a spray with certain essential oils since these pests can be attracted to these oils. Instead, spray plants with our Beetle & Boxelder Bug Killer. Thoroughly wet all parts of the plants, but don’t wet to the point of runoff or drip.
Protecting Your Outdoor Gatherings
Having uninvited guests crash your outdoor parties can quickly ruin the fun. Mosquitoes are likely to make an appearance in hopes of finding a blood meal. To avoid these party crashers, you’ll want to bug-proof your space before the event. Using a Mosquito Fogger can help to keep these pests away.
Application Tips:
- To create a mosquito repellent zone, spray around the areas where you will be spending time. Focus on spots where mosquitoes are likely to hang out including vegetation and under decks and porches.
- Spray in a slow sweeping motion toward the area to be treated. It’s best to treat the area when the air is calm, but if a breeze is present, spray in the same direction as the wind.
- Our Mosquito Fogger provides up to seven days of residual protection. You can repeat the application as necessary. After rainfall, you’ll also need to reapply.
Preventative Treatment in Spring & Fall
Preventing a pest infestation is easier than controlling an active infestation. To minimize bug activity, you can do a preventative perimeter treatment. You’ll want to treat your yard in spring when pests are just emerging as well as in fall when pests are likely to head indoors to escape the cold weather.
Application Tips:
- In early spring, spray the perimeter of your yard and your lawn with our Yard Bug Spray. The spray’s repellent properties act as a protective barrier that will help to deter pests.
- In early fall, you’ll want to focus on the perimeter of your house. Apply the spray in a 2 to 3 foot band around the foundation of your home to keep bugs from entering your house.
- You can also apply our Home Bug Spray near doors, windows, and other common entry points. This will help to prevent pests from sneaking into your home.
Bugs may love your backyard, but you don’t have to share your space with them. Treating your outdoor space can help to keep pests from bugging you. Whether you’re fighting an active infestation or trying to avoid a run-in with pests, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.