What's Lurking in Your Leaf Piles?
Fall is just around the corner and that means tree leaves will begin to change colors and start to fall. When the leaves start to fall, giant piles are created and what’s more fun than jumping into those giant piles of leaves? While they may seem harmless, leaf piles can be dangerous. The best pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks knows that piles of leaves can supply hiding places for all kinds of creatures, from centipedes to snakes. Most insects and other pests you may find in piles of leaves are relatively harmless, but some are not. Best Pest Control has listed some types of pests you may find in piles of leaves.
Centipedes
These pests are motivated by their hunger. They go wherever their hunger leads them. Centipedes are nocturnal. They like to stay hidden and stay close to the ground. Because of this, piles of leaves provide them with irresistible cover. Some centipedes are also equipped with powerful venom that can cause pain and in some cases an allergic reaction in some people.
Ticks
While summer is definitely tick season, ticks can still pose a threat during the cooler months, especially when the leaves begin to fall. Deer ticks, also known as Black-legged ticks, are known carriers of the pathogens that can cause Lyme disease. If a tick attaches itself to you and goes undiscovered for a period of time, that can be enough to transmit any number of tick-borne diseases. To help prevent ticks in your yard, make sure that your yard doesn’t attract these pesky bugs. To do that, keep your grass trimmed and do not let leaves accumulate. Some ticks may seek protection from the elements in dense woody, leaf-cluttered areas.
Spiders
Spiders are predators and habitually take up residence where they know they'll have easy access to prey. That main source of prey comes from other insects. So, they may find their way into leaf piles while preying on those insects or could be raked into the pile. If you’re concerned about spiders in your yard, you may want to bag or dispose of piles of leaves as soon as possible. Doing so can help limit your exposure to common garden spiders.Garden spiders are considered beneficial and you should avoid killing if possible. However, you’ll want to avoid potentially dangerous species such as the black widow and brown recluse.
Snakes
Venomous snakes, such as copperheads, can be found in leaf piles. If you live in an area where venomous snakes are common, you should be extra cautious when cleaning up piles of fallen leaves. The last thing you want to come across when cleaning up leaves is a snake, poisonous or not.
Raking and quickly bagging up leaves can be a form of pest control for your yard. The key is to clean up your yard quickly. When cleaning up leaf piles that have been sitting out for more than a day, you should wear gloves and use caution. Bugs and other pests may have set up camp in there. If you need help with pests in or around your home, the best pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help. Best Pest Control technicians are trained to tackle all sorts of pest problems. To learn more about our services, visit our website or call us at 573-348-1600.
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