4 Critters That Will Make Themselves at Home in Your Yard if You Let Them

Once you’ve got your yard and landscaping looking the way you planned, you want it to stay that way for the whole season. However, within a matter of weeks, a few stray critters in your yard could cause an incredible amount of damage. From insects  animals, there are a lot of pests that might harm your garden. That is just one of the reasons why you must constantly be on the lookout for any signs that you might have a pest problem on your property.

Moles

Even though moles aren’t dangerous, they can cause quite a bit of damage to your yard and plants if you don’t take care of them right away. In addition to distressing your lawn, they might also kill off trees and bushes by creating tunnels around the roots. Traps are a good option for moles, but some experts suggest using liquid or granular castor oil as well to deter these pests.

Grubs

Grubs are the larval form of beetles, and there are many different species of this insect. While every species is slightly different, most grubs survive by eating on grass roots. When infestations are particularly bad, you might notice sunken areas of your lawn. To completely exterminate unwanted grubs and beetles, you will need to contact a pest control company to explore your options. Attempting to get rid of grubs on your own can be a time-consuming and complicated process.

Chinch Bugs

When it comes to outdoor pests, very few critters are as damaging as chinch beetles. In order to eat, these bugs inject toxins into the roots of grass blades so that they can uproot them. Chinch beetles typically prefer sunny lawns that are going to keep them warm, but they can be found anywhere. Pest control experts usually take care of chinch bugs with insecticidal soap or spray.

Mole Crickets

This is another devastating pest that can destroy an entire lawn in a matter of months. Much like some of these other critters, mole crickets feed on grass blades, tree roots, and other organic materials. One of the most common signs of mole crickets is irregular brown patches out in your lawn. If the infestation is large, then you might notice that your lawn feels spongy under your feet as well. Mole crickets can usually be taken care of with basic insecticidal products, but you might need to have a landscaper repair your lawn.

While there are a few steps that you can take on your own to keep your property pest-free, you should still consider working with the professionals. A pest control company will be able to help you come up with a comprehensive and long-term plan for keeping rodents, bugs, and other critters out of your yard. They may have traps they can use or stronger or more specific insecticides they can use.

You put a lot of work into making your yard look its best. Don’t let pests undo all your hard work. Learn to recognize the signs of the most common pests in your area and how to get rid of them. Alternatively, talk to a local pest control company about eradicating the pests.

Kara Masterson

Kara is a freelance writer from West Jordan who graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Afton Jackson

    Thank you for warning me about chinch bugs and how they can be some of the most dangerous pests out there. The fact that they prefer sunny lawns really makes me worried since our area rarely gets any rain at all, so I should be on the lookout for them for sure. I’ll call a pest control expert in the area and have them prepare my lawn with some preventive measures so these chinch bugs don’t bother us.

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