Pest Management Tips

One natural way to keep Japanese beetles from wreaking havoc on your lawn and garden is to attract birds that eat them, including robins, cardinals and catbirds. Adding a bird feeder or birdbath will encourage these natural pest controllers to frequent your property and feast on harmful bugs.

A sacrificial crop, which is sometimes called a trap crop, is a group of plants that are highly attractive to nuisance insects like Japanese beetles, such as evening prim rose, borage or African marigold. Planting a small group of these in another part of your yard can keep beetles away from valuable plants.

If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “Does neem oil kill Japanese beetles?,” you’ll be happy to know it does. Neem is a natural insecticide and fungicide that eliminates adult beetles without using harsh chemicals.

Japanese beetle traps are an easy way to remedy severe infestations, catching up to 75 percent of the beetles that come onto your property. These traps are especially effective when combined with other insect-management methods.

Because Japanese beetles are naturally repelled by the smell of other dead insects, allowing the ones you’ve captured to sit in the traps can deter future beetles.

Ever wondered what those tiny red bugs outside are called? Those might be tiny red mites, specifically clover mites. These eight-legged members of the arachnid family are very small but can be seen with the naked eye. Clover mites are called so because they often feed on clover, but they also eat the sap from many different types of grasses, shrubs and ornamental plants. If you have a clover mite infestation, you may notice silver streaks on your plants.

Like many other insects, clover mites often attempt to come indoors when the temperature outside is too warm or cold. They’re also attracted to moisture. So, if you have any soft, water-damaged wood on your home’s exterior, this can create an entry point for clover mites.

Clover mites are strictly vegetarian, so they aren’t dangerous to humans. However, they can damage your plants, so it’s important to watch for signs of them and keep them under control.

If you see lots of tiny red specks crawling around inside your home or in your yard, or notice silver streaks on your plants and grass, you have clover mites. Luckily you can treat the area with a clover mite spray, which is easy to find and simple to use. Just follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for treatment and safety. But, if you have a severe problem, you may need to contact a pest management professional.

If spiders are a big problem in your home, you can purchase a specially formulated pesticide. However, be aware that many common insecticides are not effective for spiders. You’ll need to check the label.

If you want to discourage spiders from coming into your home but don’t want to kill them, you can make your own indoor spider spray as a safe, natural deterrent. Mix a few drops of citrus, lavender or eucalyptus essential oil with water in spray bottle and regularly mist areas that are prone to spider webs. Because oil and water don’t mix, be sure to shake the bottle well before each use. You can also use diatomaceous earth to kill spiders, but it can be harmful to pets and small children. If you have either living in your home, consider an alternative method.

One of the best ways to keep spiders from making their home inside your home is to get rid of anything that attracts them. Spiders like to build webs in hidden places, so keep clutter off the floors of your home, basement and garage. Stacks of paper and cardboard boxes are favorite dwelling places for spiders, so use plastic storage containers and clean around them regularly. Also, vines that grow on or around the exterior of your home can attract spiders. So, if you have some creeping vines, check around nearby doors and windows for cracks and seal them if necessary.