6 tips for pest-free outdoor living environment

What are the common outdoor pests?

Pests can be found everywhere, at any corner, hiding spaces, indoors and outdoors. However, some pests have more outdoor risks and will become an indoor problem if the matter is not dealt with. Rentokil shares what are some common outdoor pests that you will often see, preventive measures and why should you take pest control action promptly.

Mosquitoes and midges

Due to their need for carbon dioxide, shady areas, vegetation sites and more importantly, seeking hosts for their blood meals, it is no wonder why mosquitoes and midges are outdoor driven pests. Their need for water for breeding and reproduction, and in search of human warm and lactic acid to obtain their blood meal, they are usually buzzing around garden, grass patches, sanctuary and lifestyle venues, such as outdoor dining. This also explains why we often get mosquito bites when we do morning exercises or having a nice meal by the outdoor garden.

Read more: What you need to know about mosquito bites

Termites

Their need for wood and cellulose materials are the main reasons from lurking at the outside, and invading homes for more shelter and food on the inside. Dead logs, infested wood planks, damp and moist fences and the wooden floor structure are reasons why they exist indoors. Due to their ability to travel and their diligent working of 24/7, they can infest your home internally in no time. Some of the common outdoor termite species are the Dampwood and Subterranean termites. While they are similar in some ways, treatment and habitats may differ. It is important to adopt proper termite inspection to receive the right termite control.

Rats and Mice

These rodents are no surprise as they form a common media topic on how their presence has disrupted the daily activities. Firstly, they roam along drains and garbage areas in search of food and send shocking incidents to the public encountering them. Secondly, they climb on tight thin beams and hide along ceilings and roofs, but their descent may trigger some trauma among the phobic group. Thirdly, their bacteria-causing diseases and food contamination risks are enough to be listed as the top annoying pests to avoid. Finally, while they are often lurking outdoors, we may not encounter them that easily due to their incredible hiding capabilities and nocturnal nature. Read more to find out why rats are incredibly intelligent and capable pests to deal with.

Bees, Wasps and Hornets

Another common flying pest species that roams from locations to locations, these are additionally harmful because of their stinger nature. Typically when they are provoked or harm, it may trigger their aggressive defence and harm the public as a result. The general rule to deal with these pests is to leave the nest alone, leave quietly from the scene and seek proper pest eradication help. Equip yourself with a useful checklist of dealing with bees, wasps and hornets. More importantly, to know what to do if one of these pests has stung you.

Birds

Birds have formed a common presence in our daily activities. This includes commuting to work, having a meal at an open space food eatery, or taking a stroll in the park. Because of their cross infestation habits, birds fly and travel, land on surfaces to feed on food or rest. Birds can be harmful because of their droppings and urine stains and may spread harmful diseases. It is recommended not to feed any to these stray birds and seek a professional pest control company when removal is required.

Harm and damages caused by outdoor pests

We will all agree with fear and stress with pest presence is among the many harm and damages they can cause emotionally and psychologically. However, they bring many more harm, be it medically, structurally and financially. Here is a list of reasons why pest control solutions should be prioritised in eliminating pest infestation in your outdoor home, and indirectly to your home internally.

• Mosquito breeding in stagnant and non-treated water can develop mosquitoes in an adult as fast as seven to ten days.
• Dengue fever in Singapore is a rising health disease and threat caused by female Aedes Mosquitoes
• Potential stings and bites among bees, wasps and hornets if situation has aggravated the stingers to take action
• Formation of rat burrows and rat infestation within the vicinity that causes a spread to the surrounding environment
• Food contamination and transmission of diseases caused by rats, birds, mosquitoes and even cockroaches or ants
• Weakening of home structure and damage of the property due to chew-off wood and feeding on cellulose materials
• Potential short circuit and fire hazard should rats enter home and gnaw on electrical wires and conduits

What attracts pests to your outdoor space?

We all know pests enjoy lurking in our cosy home especially if there is food, water and shelter. Kitchen, dining hall, bathroom and balcony are some of their favourite haunts. However, there is as much food source available indoors and as well as outdoors. Here are some reasons why pests are often seen lying around in your outdoor space:

• Abundance of water availability through weather, car washing, plant watering and spills
• Taps and water hose leaks and spills, and after use excess leaving puddles around
• Carbon dioxide and human warm that attracts pests such as mosquitoes
• Hiding opportunities among shady corners, clutters, piles and junks outdoor
• Burrows and nests that pests dig, hide and reproduce without notice
• Food waste, scrapes and debris uncleared or non-disposed garbage
• Poorly maintained drain and sewers that promotes pest harbourage
• Clear and standing water that allows mosquito breeding to take place

However, these outdoor pests can interchangeably become your indoor pest companion, because of pest entry and cross infestation. There are many ways and opportunities for outdoor pests to invade your home if without adequate and proper proofing, protection and pest control measures. Here are some ways pests find their way into our home.

• Pest like mozzies can fly in through open windows, doors and balconies
• Crawling in through gaps, crevices and holes that results from integrity issues
• Latch onto yourself, belonging, items or pests and bringing them in
• Openings such as door gaps, ventilators, exhaust pipes and chimneys
• Entering through sewers and piping, via grease trap and manhole opening

Six useful outdoor pest prevention tips

Use an insect repellent

Apply an insect repellent when outdoors. Ticks and mosquitoes carry diseases and can pose serious health risks. Whether you apply it to your skin or clothing, creating a protective barrier between you and disease-carrying mosquitoes and ticks will decrease your risk of bites while enjoying the outdoor activities. In addition, you can adopt safety measures such as wearing light colour clothes and avoiding being outside during “peak” mosquito hours, which is usually from dusk until dawn.

Remove standing water

Mosquitoes only need a tablespoon, twenty-cent coin or more of water to breed. Pools, ponds, birdbaths and planters may add to the enjoyment and ambiance of your yard. However, they also offer the perfect breeding ground for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. Any stagnant water in your yard should be treated or changed often to avoid an infestation, especially since they can lay up to 100 eggs at a time and have them hatch in as little as five days. This includes your pets’ water dishes. Removing standing water will lessen mosquito populations in your yard and decrease your chances of getting mosquito bites. Above all, water is not only an attractant for breeding mosquitoes, but the main cause of pest infestation including cockroaches, ants, termites and rats.

Keep your lawn trimmed

Mosquitoes and ticks like to hang out in cool, damp and shady vegetation. Removing overgrown vegetation around your property and keeping a well-manicured lawn does not only look good, it removes resting and hiding areas for ticks and mosquitoes. Ticks may not be able to fly, but they do tend to perch on tall grasses, waiting for a passer-by (animal or person) to latch onto. Keeping your lawn short and vegetation thinned out is an easy way to prevent mosquitoes and ticks from lingering in your yard. This also prevents pests from hiding among shady corners, shrubs, and overgrown weeds such as snakes and rats.

Keep an eye out for anthills

An anthill in your yard could result in an infestation in your home. You may notice a small anthill in your yard while mowing your lawn or weeding your garden and think nothing of it. However, under that mound of dirt or sand lies a colony made up of hundreds, maybe thousands, of ants. A colony that if disturbed, may defend their nest by inflicting a painful bite. Even ants that do not bite are a nuisance, as they tend to invade homes in search of food. With their ability to quickly spread and divide into more colonies, it is best to treat anthills as soon as you spot one. Prevention is key for avoiding an ant infestation in your home. However, there is a difference between anthill and termite nest. It is important to perform the right pest identification in order to receive the right pest treatment.

Check wood structures

Large bees flying around could signify a carpenter bee nest. Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumblebees. The main difference is a carpenter bee has a shiny black and hairless abdomen. On the other hand, a bumblebee has a fuzzy abdomen. Although they are pollinators, carpenter bees can cause extensive damage to structures, as they bore holes through soft, untreated woods to build nests in. However, they are different from wasps and hornets even though they belong to the stinger family. If you can pinpoint the entry to the nesting site, plug it up. However, you may want to engage a professional pest control specialist who specialises in these dangerous and niche controls.

In addition, wood presence also signifies potential termite infestation. This is because termites feed on wood and cellulose materials and enter into homes through mud tubes they build for traveling. In addition, they infest on rotten woods, logs and timbers and enter homes due to cross infestation. Subterranean termites in particular work every day eating off your home, and travel sideways and upwards. This means, even if these pests are originally outdoors, they can become your indoor resident very soon.

Watch out for stinging insects

Inspect your home and property for hives and nests. Firstly, flying insects can be tricky to treat since they can build their nests in hard to reach places, not to mention they sting! Secondly, as weather warms, you may notice an increase in activity around your home and yard. This is where workers are collecting food for the larvae. Thirdly, nests may be high in trees, under your eaves or deck, the wall voids of your home or occupying an abandoned rodent borough. Different species require different treatments and come with their own unique challenges. Finally, understanding a stinging insect’s behaviour and habitat is the first step to a successful and effective stinging insect control approach.

Engaging in outdoor pest control

There is a series of outdoor pest control to engage to keep pest infestation at bay. In addition to pest control services, there is also the housekeeping regime, detection and inspection activities and outdoor facility and maintenance to adopt. Here are some outdoor pest treatments provided by Rentokil Singapore.

• Integrated mosquito control comprising fogging, larviciding and placing mosquito traps to control both adult mosquitoes and larvae.
• Digital rodent control where baiting units with sensing technology are placed at strategic key risk areas for accurate manner of detection and control.
• Termite treatment programme by building protective barriers around the home perimeter to control termite colony and prevent damage to the home.
• Pest inspection and detection of your outdoor space and risk assessment of the surrounding
• Pest identification to check what pest species is infesting your outdoor environment
• Outdoor surface shield sanitization and disinfection especially around high-touch points such as benches, playground and outdoor features.

Read more: What you need to know about indoor and outdoor pest control

Frequently asked questions about outdoor pest control

What is the price of outdoor pest control?

The price of pest control is dependent on a few factors. They range from service coverage, frequency, type of pests and active ingredient, type of application and severity of the infestation. In addition, the price factor is determined by innovations and technology utilised for pest eradication. For example, if digitalisation, sensing and eco-green solution are used, or if generic or superior active ingredient is applied. Above all, the type of package that will affect price, if you take on an ad-hoc one-off job service or a long contract basis treatment.

You may also like: How much does it costs to pest-proof your home

When do we call for outdoor pest control?

Pest control should not be viewed as a reactive alternative when infestation turns serious. It should be treated as a proactive action for long-term protection. This is because pests can occur anytime depending on factors. They include sanitation and housekeeping standards, structure integrity, environment and weather and cross infestation means. While some light infestation can be handled with DIY home pest remedies, self-help approaches may not work on time. This is due to pest habitats, efficacy and active ingredient dosages. It is best to leave the job to the professionals if the self-help method does not work after a few tries.

How often should outdoor pest treatments be conducted?

Pest frequencies are recommended after a thorough assessment of the surrounding environment, pest infestation condition and risk factors. Firstly, if a home is going through a heavy infestation, intensive treatments and flush outs are recommended. Secondly, places with epidemics such as dengue cases surge or residing within the dengue cluster would require more treatments for the additional protection. Thirdly, if the home has existing serious infestation, more treatments will be required to keep condition under control. Finally, if the infestation is mild or pest treatments are engaged for maintenance purposes, the specialist will recommend a lower frequency.

Call Rentokil Pest Control at (65) 6347 8138 for professional pest control services today.