New houses typically have fewer pest issues thanks to fewer “cracks and crevices” that often appear around older homes, but sometimes that newness can lead to homeowners becoming a little too comfortable and missing opportunities to set up pest prevention techniques.

In fact, moving in to a new house is the perfect time to take a few extra steps and ensure it remains as pest free as possible for as long as possible.

No home can be completely without pests. Bugs, particularly around the Austin area, are everywhere.

But one of the best things you can do is ensure that your landscaping immediately around the home is set up for “pestless success.”

A good landscaper, if you use one, should know what to plant and where to plant to avoid some of the more common problems. They may even be able to recommend plants that could deter certain pests.

But even if you don’t have access to that expertise or experience, you can DIY your lawn and set it up for fewer bug issues.

First, avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to the home. Sometimes you may want that privacy, aesthetic or just shade along certain areas. However, trees and bushes right up against the house can invite a number of pests. Ants, as one example, will crawl along bushes and tree limbs right on to the house. As they grow, those limbs and branches will often touch the house. That can lead to easier bug access, not to mention potential structural wear and damage from the branches.

Another culprit for pests entering is too much mulch right around the foundation. Having a landscaped front area is great, but having mulch up too high or having too much of it too close to the home can lead to moisture retention in those areas. That may encourage pests, like roaches, to move in towards the house.

Do you plan to keep firewood handy for the colder months in Austin? Be sure to keep it further away from the house, and elevated off the ground. Pests love firewood including our usual ant suspects, along with scorpions in a few parts of town. Keeping that firewood away and off the ground gives you a bit more buffer.

Finally, after that first rain, look around the yard particularly close to the foundation where there may be drainage issues. A new home and lot should be graded well, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure. Any areas where there is standing water can be a trouble spot for a number of pests from roaches to mosquitoes.

If you have any pest control needs, give us a call at 512-443-0123 or use our online form for an email quote.