Gardens add beauty to any rental property. On top of that, a garden can offer tenants a place to relax or even grow flowers. However, gardens also run the risk of attracting unwanted pests that could bother renters or damage the property. As a landlord trying to maintain appealing outdoor spaces for your tenants, you may need help with the best ways to prevent and control garden pests safely and effectively.
The good news is that there are environmentally responsible options available to deter common garden invaders. Read on to learn some of the safest methods for keeping your garden pest-free.
Identifying Common Garden Pests
The first step toward prevention and control is learning to recognize the usual suspects that can infest rental property gardens and landscaping. Typical pest problems fall into a few major categories such as:
- Insects
Watch out for common plant-eating insects like aphids, snails, beetles, caterpillars, and whiteflies that damage vegetable plants and ornamentals. Ants often follow to feed on honeydew secreted by sap-sucking insects, allowing them to proliferate. Other nuisance insects like mosquitoes and flies can bother outdoor enjoyment.
- Weeds
Weeds compete with desired plants for water, space, and nutrients. Aggressive weeds like bindweed, thistle, poison ivy, crabgrass, and dandelions are adept at spreading seeds and encroaching where they are not wanted.
- Wildlife
Deer, rabbits, voles, squirrels, and birds can ravage gardens by feeding on plants or digging and disturbing roots. Raccoons, skunks, rodents, and other wildlife also forage and can even take up residence on rental properties.
- Plant Diseases
Bacterial, fungal, and viral plant diseases can leave gardens looking unsightly. Blight, rust, powdery mildew, molds, and other common plant diseases can quickly damage plant health and vigor.
Northern Virginia property managers suggest that landlords familiarize themselves with common pest signs like aphids on leaves or slug trails. Then, you will be able to decide what action you should take to get rid of the problem.
Safe Pest Control Options for Gardens
The most effective pest management programs rely on multiple complementary tactics to control garden invaders without harming people or the environment. Here are some of the safest pest control options that you can try.
- Physical Barriers
Fences, netting, woven ground cover, and tree wraps create physical barriers preventing animals from entering spaces or reaching plants. Traps also physically capture and remove pests. While humane traps are ideal for large animals, adhesive traps, pheromone traps, light traps, and baited enclosed traps can catch insects, rats, voles, and other unwelcome visitors.
- Biological Controls
Encouraging natural predators by providing food, water, and habitat keeps desired insects, birds, and beneficial microbes thriving in the ecosystem. Introducing predator insects or bacteria targeting problematic species allows nature to run its course. Also, nurturing healthy soil and plant diversity enables vegetation to withstand and outcompete pests.
- Custom Maintenance
Diligent garden care disrupts pest life cycles. Weed, prune, and remove debris, denying pests food and shelter. Check for early signs of infestation. Clean tools and equipment between gardens to avoid spreading issues. Proper irrigation, fertilization, and mulching strengthen plants. Turn the soil to expose insects so birds can feed.
- Eco-Friendly Pesticides
As a last resort, consider using eco-friendly or minimum-risk pesticides. Neem oil, pyrethrins, insecticidal soaps, diatomaceous earth, and microbial inoculants control pests without extensive toxicity when applied carefully according to label guidelines from manufacturers.
Rather than relying on one approach, integrate multiple prevention and suppression tactics compatible with the property and rental landscape needs. Evaluate and adjust to find the right non-toxic pest management recipe that maintains healthy, attractive gardens for the enjoyment of tenants.
Building Pest-Resistant Gardens
While quick fixes temporarily help you get rid of pesky garden invaders, you need to look for long-term solutions. Landlords willing to invest effort on the front end will reap rewards, reducing headaches associated with recurring pest outbreaks. Here are a few tips that you can follow to build a pest-resistant garden.
- Site Evaluation
Conduct a site evaluation assessing sunlight, drainage, soil conditions, microclimates, and problem areas needing amendment. Address issues prior to installing new beds or plants. Test soil balancing nutrients based on test results.
- Plant Diversity
Incorporate a variety of plants with different growth habits and maturation rates to avoid mass susceptibility. Mix edibles with ornamentals – bushes, cane fruits, trees, vines, ground cover, annuals, and perennials. Interplant with pest-fighting herbs and flowers.
- Right Plant, Right Place
When adding or replacing vegetation, select pest—and disease-resistant species well-suited to the sunlight, soil, moisture, and hardiness zone. Provide ample spacing for root and canopy development. When possible, grow locally adapted heirloom varieties.
- Smart Design
Arrange plants with compatibilities in mind. Keep susceptible plants isolated from likely sources of infestations. Remove alternate hosts and diseased vegetation. Incorporate structural deterrents needed, like small garden fences or trellises.
- Healthy Soil
Build raised garden beds with enriched organic soil. Compost boosts beneficial microbes, suppressing soil-borne diseases. Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which destroy microbial life. Use cover crops, rotate annually, and mulch for sustainably fertile soil.
- Care and Upkeep
Check regularly for early signs of problems. Weed and prune to increase air circulation in your garden. Clean up fallen debris sheltering overwintering pests and promptly treat or remove diseased plants. Establish an irrigation schedule optimal for plant health.
Communication and Guidelines for Tenants
Clear communication with tenants about pest control in rentals can help keep gardens healthy and address any issues before they escalate. Here’s how you can do it:
- Rental Agreements
In rental contracts, specify responsible use instructions for garden areas and consequences for neglect. Addendums can outline relevant pest prevention policies, like prohibiting certain plant types prone to issues.
- Education
Inform tenants about typical garden pests and the conditions that encourage them like overwatering, piled debris, overripened fruit, or bird feeders. Share ways they can actively assist prevention efforts such as garden sanitation, drainage improvements, monitoring for problems, and avoidance of pesticide usage.
- Feedback Channels
Establish convenient reporting procedures for pest sightings and infestation signs. Provide contact details to submit complaints via email, tenant portals, maintenance request forms, or phone. Maintain a protocol for rapid response, including inspection and planned action.
- Resolution Updates
Follow up on each garden pest complaint with transparency about investigation findings and next measures for resolution. Convey written or in-person progress reports to affected tenants detailing the status of pest control initiatives in their garden spaces until elimination is achieved.
Final Words
Now you know how to keep the gardens of your rental properties free from pests. Make sure to look for long-term and sustainable solutions that can help you keep your properties free from pests at all times. Keeping the gardens of your rental properties free from pests helps protect your investment by improving its outdoor curb appeal and ensuring tenant satisfaction in the long run.
