Many homeowners look forward to the cooler temperatures of fall and winter for the reprieve they bring from insects, but cooler weather doesn’t mean your yard is pest-free. Lawn diseases, rodents, and some insects are lying in wait until the warmer weather returns.
Learn how to keep winter pests out of your yard by removing habitat and food to ensure your lawn stays healthy and vibrant when spring arrives.
Rake leaves
While it’s hotly debated whether it’s good to let leaves stay on the lawn throughout the winter — because they do provide some benefits — the truth is, a thick layer of rotting leaves is the perfect shelter for bugs and other pests all winter long. To keep your yard free of pests, you’ll want to remove most leaves from the lawn and away from your foundation.
After raking or using a leaf blower to collect them, there are many things you can do with the leaves instead of having the city pick them up for disposal. You can turn them into mulch, use leaf mold to improve the soil, or compost them in your yard.
Short on time? Many landscaping companies offer leaf removal services in the fall. Leaf removal costs $155 – $460, depending on your location and the project size.
Trim trees and shrubs
Pull out your pruning tools, such as the ladder, hand saw, and loppers because you should trim any vines, bushes, and tree branches within 6 feet of your home or roof. Rodents and insects can use these branches as a superhighway into your home, making a lovely nest in your attic until winter recedes.
Pro tip: Always cut branches at a 45-degree angle that slopes downward from the trunk (or stem) so water doesn’t sit on the wound and trigger rot or disease.
For those who would rather leave this job to the experts:
- Tree trimming services cost between $255 and $655, with a national average cost of $420.
- Hedge trimming costs around $429, but most homeowners pay between $200 and $600.
- Bush trimming costs around $275, but most homeowners pay between $110 and $440.
Cut grass short
As the grass stops growing for the season, make sure to mow it one last time, cutting it shorter, before putting the mower away for winter.
According to Dr. Kevin Frank at Michigan State University, you should cut cool-season grasses one-half inch below your standard grass height for the last mow of the season. This slightly lower mowing height helps clean up the turf and plant debris and discourages rodents from setting up camp in your lawn.
Low mowing also discourages pink snow mold and gray snow mold. These molds thrive in cold, wet, matted lawns and typically appear in spring once the snow melts. Long grass encourages those conditions, whereas short grass reduces them.
Clean up debris
With the leaves picked up and branches trimmed back, you should also turn your attention to cleaning up any debris that is scattered about. Clean dead plants out of flowerbeds, pick up downed branches and limbs, and get rid of broken toys, patio furniture, and other trash.
Get rid of water
Like you, insects and other pests need water to survive, so they’re naturally drawn to areas with a water source. Therefore, if you have standing water outside or active leaks in your home, you run a higher risk of pest problems. You’ll see more pests indoors because of the moisture and because the leaky spot often gives them an easy way to get in.
To minimize problems, you’ll want to implement lawn drainage solutions like making sure the ground slopes away from the foundation, installing french drains, or adding downspout extensions to keep water away from the foundation. You’ll also want to repair any active leaks in the roof, gutters, walls, around windows, etc.
Keep gutters clear
Gutters are made to collect rainwater, but they often collect a lot more than that. Debris can build up in your gutters and make a nice home for box elder bugs and spiders to ride out the cold winter temperatures. You can clean the debris out safely using a ladder or from the ground.
Plus, keeping your gutters clear will help direct rainwater away from your home’s foundation instead of overflowing onto the soil around it. When the soil around your perimeter is moist, it makes a perfect home for bugs.
Put food away
Make sure there isn’t food available for pests to pillage, both inside and out. Throughout the winter, they’ll be searching for food sources to keep them alive until spring, so don’t give them what they’re looking for! If there isn’t any food for them, they’ll be more likely to move on to another yard.
Keep all food stored properly, including pet food. Do not leave dirty dishes stacked in your sink or scattered around the house.
Keep trash sealed
Any trash cans left outside or in your garage should be tightly covered and sealed. It’s also helpful to bag all trash before it goes in the can instead of tossing it in freely. When trash is left in the open, it becomes a food source and a literal breeding ground for pests — all pests.
Use natural pest deterrents
Before winter rolls in full force, use natural pest control or preventatives to help keep rodents and insects out of your yard and home. You can apply products like Molemax to the grass (especially the outer perimeter), sprinkle diatomaceous earth along your foundation, or spray a mix of lemon oil, soap, and water along entryways and windowsills.
Invite natural predators
Natural predators, such as birds and beneficial insects, are among the most effective pest preventers year-round. To tackle specific pests, attract beneficial birds to your yard with houses and feeders, and introduce lawn and garden-friendly insects to combat plant-eating pests.
FAQs about keeping winter pests out of your yard
Do you need to spray outside for bugs during the winter?
Whether or not you spray outside for insect pests depends heavily on your local climate. Most insects become less active or dormant in cold weather, so regular spraying is often unnecessary. However, if you’ve had issues with pests like spiders, ants, or overwintering insects trying to enter your home, a targeted perimeter treatment might be beneficial to prevent infestations. Plus, you may need to keep spraying if you live in a year-round warm-weather climate.
When is the best time to start spraying for bugs?
You should spray for bugs in early spring as the temperature starts warming up. At this time, pest numbers are usually low, and a preemptive spray is a fantastic way to prevent hatches and keep a problem at bay.
How do bugs survive harsh winters?
Bugs that stay outside during the winter are amazing creatures and have adapted to have fantastic survival mechanisms. Some are freeze-tolerant — they produce ice nucleating proteins in their bodies to “control” the freezing process, allowing them to survive the formation of internal ice crystals. Other bugs are freeze-avoidant — they accumulate antifreeze made up of carbohydrates called “cryoprotectants” in their cells before winter. The cryoprotectants prevent ice crystals from forming by lowering the freezing point of their body fluids.
How much does professional yard cleaning cost?
The average cost for a yard cleanup is $318, but homeowners can expect to pay between $174 and $436. The average costs for a yard cleanup may include leaf mulching, flower bed and garden cleanup, trash or furniture removal, and leaf removal services. The bigger the yard, the more you are likely to pay, and the same goes for the extent of work performed.
Lawn Love can help with winter pest prevention
Bugs and other pests may not be as visible throughout the winter months, but they’re still out there, and if you have a welcoming environment in your yard, you’re inviting them in. Protect yourself and your family and keep your spring yard looking great with these simple steps to get rid of habitat, food, and water.
If you need help making your lawn less hospitable to pests, Lawn Love is always here to help! We can connect you with local lawn professionals to assist with leaf removal, yard cleanup, or gutter cleaning, knocking tasks off your to-do list!
Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other retailer affiliate programs. Lawn Love earns revenue from products promoted in this article.
Main Photo Credit: L Galbraith | Adobe Stock Free | License
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