Critters, Crawlies... Continued From Page 12





some pest problems are often localized and need   determining what pest problems you have and what the appropriate way to treat them would be.


Before You Resort to Poison...


While pest control (sprays, bait, etc) can be appropriate in certain circumstances, it should not be the default when approaching how to properly care for your landscape. Too much pest control can actually harm your soil, plant material and cause


you to spend more upkeep, time, and money towards a healthy balance for your property.


Too much pest control can actually harm your soil, plant material and cause you to spend more upkeep, time, and money.


Question:


 top of it. What can do I?


Answer:


What steps can you take to decrease the chances of getting the larvae in


your turf, to begin with? Is there standing water? Do you maintain your turf on a regular basis? Are  with neem oil or some other natural product? Sometimes that natural way does not work and more aggressive approaches are needed (i.e. imidacloprid).


14 Community Associations Journal | April 2022


The more sunlight you can bring into your property, the less likely critters and pests are to encroach and cause unwanted damage.


Question:


Moss, mold and other fungi appear to be growing regularly around my property. Is this normal, and if not, how do I deal with it appropriately?


Answer:


The above-mentioned “pests” typically grow best under moist


conditions. Unfortunately, we live in an area that tends to be moist for most of the year. Do you have heavily shaded areas? Do you have standing water that attracts growth or other unwanted pests and critters? Is there moisture contact with your building, due to the landscape that can be avoided? The more sunlight you can bring into your property, the less likely critters and pests are to encroach and cause unwanted damage.


Question:


I have a rat problem and the traps I set for them aren’t working. They are getting into my attic. How do I get rid of them?


Answer:


Do you have ivy on your property or dense bushes? Do you have


branches that are brushing up against the house/ building? You can start by removing the dense foliage or dark places where they like to hide. Branches that are also brushing up against the building should be cut, where possible, minimally two inches from the building.


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