Cicadas are one of those completely benign insects that really get people stirred up. Known for their loud chirping locust-like noises, they arrive in swarms around the end of June or beginning of July, leaving their crusty shells among the ground.
Almost everyone knows the story about cicadas: they have a lifespan of up to 17 years and emerge from underground to mate and then die. The nymphs that hatch from cicada eggs fall from the trees where they have been laid and burrow into the soil. Under the ground, they live on the sap from tree roots until they are ready to emerge 13 to 17 years later.
It is the fact that they live underground that makes cicada pest control almost impossible. Unlike other insects that migrate, cicadas are already present in your yard. When they do emerge, they are known to cause scarring the bark of trees and shrubs when the females they lay their eggs.
Cicadas pose no real threat no people, but the real nuisance and danger that cicadas introduce is wasps. Wasps are cicada killers and when the food source is plentiful, you can find yourself in danger of being stung. When cicada season arrives, remember that these insects are only here for a few months and aren’t going to hurt you. Though they may seem menacing, they’re quite docile. However, if you notice an influx of wasps, contact your local Spokane landscaping company.
Many homeowners may not be aware that there are effective Spokane landscaping methods for garter snakes. Even better, there are some humane ways to eliminate garter snakes without having to kill them.
Garter snakes are the most commonly found garden snake that homeowners and Spokane landscapers encounter. They are abundant in all areas and climates from Central American to Canada. Most pest control experts will tell you that having a garter snake around isn’t necessarily a bad thing; you may have to make a decision of which is the greater evil: snakes or rodents? Garter snakes are not poisonous and only pose a real threat to mice, rats, voles, crickets, slugs, snails and other snakes which may be poisonous. However, if you have pets or children to worry about, there are some methods you can use to get rid of these slithering serpents.
Your local Spokane landscaping company can capture and remove garter snakes with glue boards. Although the snake will be stuck, it won’t be harmed. A simple dose of vegetable oil will free the snake again. There are also a few ways you can try to prevent snakes, the most effective being your mowing habits. Pest control experts recommend keeping your grass short. Tall grass makes a perfect spot for garter snakes to lay in waiting for their next meal. You may also want to keep wood piles and other yard debris such as leaves as far away from your home as possible, as these are also favored hiding spots for snakes.
Another solution is eliminating the food source. Your local Spokane landscaping company can help you eliminate rodents and other bugs that attract snakes. If there isn’t anything for them to eat, they will happily move on to another area where food is more abundant.
For all of your garter snake and rodent problems, call your local pest control company.
