Insects are very adaptive and find plenty of ways to survive in the winter months. Some, like cicadas, bury themselves underground, and others bury themselves under piles of leaves and brush. Others burrow into tree bark, like the Emerald Ash Borer pictured, and others, like Japanese Beetles, lay their eggs in the fall that hatch in the spring. Some percentage of insects do indeed die off and there are many beneficial insects that we want to make it through the winter. For example, bees play a huge role in plant pollination, as well as ladybugs and dragonflies, which eat many of the pesky yard insects we don’t like. Earthworms are also essential for nutritious, aerated soil for our turf and plants. Most insects go dormant in the winter months and look for a place to hide, here are some simple ways to control the insect populations around your home with some housecleaning in the fall and winter:
– Soggy piles of leaves collect mold and mildew that attract many types of insects. Clean these leaves off of your lawn and landscape in the fall to eliminate this problem.
– Cleaning your gutters, which also harbor soggy leaves and organic material that usually remain unseen.
– Prune your plants to manageable levels. Letting your landscape plants get huge makes it more likely that insects will use them as a shelter.
– Police the fallen fruit area around the base of fruit trees, which attract a wide variety of insects.
– Control the amount of mulch around your trees and shrubs. Mulch that is too thick is not only bad for your trees and plants but it is also a safe haven for rodents and insects.
We hope these tips were helpful to you and if you wish to have these services done for you, just call or message us at Minks.
Happy wintering!