As winter begins to finally wind down and spring is just around the corner, many homeowners are already thinking about their spring gardening. A heavy Utah winter should give way to a lush spring season, and many gardeners have already begun planning their layout and gathering materials.
At A-1 Exterminators, we’re here to help with all pest control needs as you move from primarily indoor areas to a combination of indoor and outdoor locations during the spring. One common issue that we’ve noted for families with small children in this scenario: Various garden critters may be present that they aren’t familiar with, including harmful pests. Your kids just want to have a fun time when they’re out in the yard, and they mat not understand that pests can carry disease and also may bite them. With this in mind, let’s go over a few simple gardening methods for keeping your children safe from any pest risks.
Flower Pots
One of the best ways to prevent pests in certain flower or garden areas period, not just for children necessarily, is to use flower pots. These are raised, solid pieces that prevent even the sneakiest of pests from finding their way in, often deterring all but the most aggressive pests.
Simultaneously, though, this same theme can keep your kids protected from pest risks. By teaching them early on that flower pots are not to be disturbed, you can ensure your best plants will stay safe from both pests and the curious fingers of your children – and that your kids won’t be contacting a number of potentially risky pets. For even further security here, you can consider placing the pots themselves on further elevated surfaces.
Utilizing Fencing
If you want to take things a step further and insulate your garden from the kids altogether, both to keep them safe from pests and to leave the garden undisturbed, you can utilize some basic fencing. Consider a mesh fence that separates the garden from the rest of the yard – this will help here and may also prevent certain larger critters like rabbits or rodents from invading in search of some food.
Repellants
There are a wide variety of garden- and kid-friendly pest repellants out there, including natural options like essential oils and many candle types. In certain cases, you may have to look to specific bug sprays as well. It’s important to remember that while some repellants do contain chemicals, they’re made using conscientious standards and generally are not harmful to animals.
Education
Finally, educating your children on common pests and their risks is good for both their protection and their overall knowledge base. As kids reach an age where they can grasp these kinds of concepts, you can even teach them about much of the outdoor wildlife ecosystem.
For more on protecting children from pests during gardening season, or to learn about any of our pest exterminator services, contact the pros at A-1 Exterminators today.
