Wildlife in Your Garden. Welcome It or Prevent It, We’ve Got the Scoop

Pests – especially in summer – can take on many forms, from outdoor bugs … to being bugged indoors incessantly about what’s for dinner… 

We’re focusing on garden variety pests – the pros and cons of all things that fly, slither and hop, and how to manage them in order to keep your garden for invited guests only.

We’ve enlisted the local experts at Blackhawk Hardware, including Sally O’Hare, Blackhawk Hardware’s Garden Center Manager, who has seen it all, and is ready to equip us with the knowledge we need to identify friend or foe and how to make the latter go.

Mosquitos

So, let’s start with what we know and that is… mo-squit-os.

No argument here that there is zero to buzz about when it comes to these foes. Ready to ruin just about any moment, mosquitos are known to be more prevalent at sunrise and sunset. 

Standing water is your greatest enemy when it comes to fighting mosquitos. Sally recommends reducing standing water in your gutters, pots and birdbaths. Mosquitos are attracted to stagnant water and lay their eggs in it – you need to break the cycle!

However, for the backyard gardener this can be a bit of a paradox – because you also want to make sure you’re leaving a shallow source of water for pollinators including birds, bees, and butterflies. Refreshing the water frequently is the key.

Another option Sally offers are mosquito dunks. They look like small, beige donuts – they float on standing water, and as they slowly dissolve, they release a bacterium which is toxic to all species of mosquito larvae.

Of course, you can always try the tried-and-true citronella candles, incense and lanterns. Or a zapper.

Fire Ants

Speaking of bities, fire ants are something we often see in our area. If you’ve ever been in a tussle with this tiny but mighty stinging species you know they mean serious business. They build large dome-shaped mounds, and summertime is their jam… they invite approximately 200,000 of their closest friends to the party.

The angry ants are attracted to food and oily textures – so once you’ve ruled out access to those, Sally recommends using something that is strong enough to eliminate the entire ant colony – “When making a selection focus on ‘fire ant killer’ specifically – combos such as ‘ant and insect killer’ are often not strong enough.”

Snakes & Slugs 

Not all that slithers should be assigned to Slytherin House… snakes in fact keep many other pests at bay including mice, grubs and slugs. Most snakes in our area are not venomous with the exception of the copperhead – here’s a quick read on identifying snakes from the Discovery Place Nature team. 

While the coppery-tan color should be your first clue that you may be dealing with the poisonous copperhead – don’t mistake it with the similar looking non-venomous corn snake.

Your second cue to start backing up slowly is the eyes. Copperheads have yellow eyes with a black vertical and elliptical pupil, (think: cat eyes). 

Sally recommends Victor Snake-A-Way for Copperheads.

Slugs – if you’re trying to get your summer plantings going slugs are a non-starter. Especially damaging to seedlings and leaves, slugs and their snail friends also are complex creatures when it comes to pros and cons.

Pros: they break down your garden debris (read: natural nitrogen-rich fertilizer that is good for your soil and soul), and they’re a tasty treat for beneficial birds, frogs and others.

Remember, slugs love dark and moist environments – if you are encountering a lot – especially at night you may have a damp problem.

Just need them gone? Sally suggests Diatomaceous Earth (crushed fossils), Sluggo or Slug Gone wool pellets.

What About Squirrels & Moles?

Squirrels… whether you love or hate them may hinge on your garden aspirations, but either way don’t let them drive you nuts.

The main issue: squirrels can cause damage to property including electrical wiring in their efforts to find food and build a home. 

Like their furry friends, moles, they are diggers – squirrels dig mostly to plant seeds and nuts, while moles tend to have a heftier agenda, and their tunneling to and fro can disturb turf and plants. 

Castor oil has been proven to help with moles, and Sally says you may also need to consider traps and bait.

To say farewell to squirrels, Sally recommends squirrel resistant feeders noting that Squirrel Buster by Brome is her favorite. Where you place the feeder is also important – on average a squirrel can stick a landing from 10 feet away, so pay attention to the distance from any potential jumping off spots.

Our furry friends are also not fans of spicy food or owls. Sally suggests spicing things up with a hot seed blend like Coles Cajun Cardinal, and setting up an owl house/ statue.

Feathered Friends

Rolling out the welcome mat to birds is one of the best ways to keep pests at bay. 

Planting native species is the place to start – remember natural areas are good too “Especially those that allow for leaf litter, which creates a home for small insects that birds love to eat,” says Sally.

Sally also recommends planting thorny bushes for protection areas and shrubs that produce berries, and reducing the use of herbicides and pesticides.

If you can, provide shelter with a birdhouse and make sure there is access to good quality food and clean water.

In summary the garden gurus at Blackhawk Hardware recommend you get out ahead of the problem early. Good prep and planning equal less nests and landings. The top three:

• Keep an eye on your garden and plants. Sometimes it’s hard to notice small changes from day-to-day, so try to pick one or two things that you can monitor such as new black spots or yellow tips on plants – both of which can be signs of pests.
• The old adage if you see something, say something is true – though in regard to your backyard you need to opt for ‘do something’…. If you see an infestation, take action ASAP as it will only get worse.
• Plant ‘pest prevention’ with companion plants that commonly discourage pesky critters including: mint, lavender, rosemary, scented geraniums, garlic, basil and marigold.