5 Natural Ways to Rid Your Outdoor Living Area of Summer Pests

Mosquitoes bugging you? Flies pestering you?

It is summertime in the Kerrville and San Antonio area and we are enjoying entertaining and being outdoors. But, there are insects to deal with. Ever wondered what you can do to avoid bites and waving your arms around like crazy attempting to keep flies off the freshly grilled burgers?

There are choices in how to rid your outdoor living area from annoying pests. Chemical pesticides are an option, but they are expensive and may kill what we consider to be pests. Some bugs are actually beneficial to our environment. These pesticides may also be harmful to our pets and even small children.

Lavender at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center

Rather than resort to chemically treating our patios, yards and gardens, Burroughs Landscaping suggests a natural way to enjoy your summer minus the worry of irritating bites and ruined food.

Consider planting garden herbs in containers close to and around patio doors, gardens, grills; anywhere you plan to spend time with friends and family outdoors this summer. Basil, Lavender, Rosemary, Mint and Lemon Grass are herbs that provide protection from insects, exhibit beauty and can be used to spice up your favorite dishes.

Did you know that basil repels mosquitoes and flies? Create beds or plant basil in pots around outdoor eating areas and near doorways. Basil is an excellent choice for Texas Hill Country as it thrives in full sun. Especially if planted in pots, a splash of water daily will keep this durable herb healthy. The peppery, tangy herb will provide a nice aroma as well as spice up Italian and Asian dishes. If you don’t cook with basil, butterflies will love to visit, providing extra color and entertainment.

Lavender works much the same as basil. Beds or pots of lavender around doorways keeps mosquitoes, flies, fleas and even scorpions away. Along with keeping pests away, lavender adds color to your landscape as well as an exhilarating aroma. Sachets of lavender can help keep moths away in drawers and closets as well.

Rosemary is another choice to keep insects away from your outdoor living area. Sun-loving and requiring little water, rosemary will add some color to your Texas HillCountry landscape with small clusters of light lavender/blue flowers through the fall and into the winter. Rosemary produces oil that repels mosquitoes and scorpions. Also, placing a spring of rosemary on food while it is on the grill will add flavor as well as the scented smoke keeping mosquitoes and flies at a distance. Grow lavender in pots or mix into landscaping beds and borders.

Mint repels fleas, ants and flies. Growing in pots may be the best option for this herb, as it is prone to be invasive. Rub mint on your skin to avoid being bitten.

Lemon grass and lemon balm contain citronella oil which is used for insect repellent and candles. This low maintenance plant with long gray-green leaf blades will prevent mosquitoes in and around your outdoor living area. Deer resistant, lemon grass is an annual, ornamental grass. Low maintenance, yet requiring moisture, partial shade is the perfect location for this carefree grass that can also be used in preparing Asian dishes.

This summer, rather than spending money on costly pesticides,  Burroughs Landscaping suggests considering using herbs to deter insects from disturbing your cookouts and outdoor entertaining in your natural landscape.

Burroughs Landscaping offers outstanding service and innovative ideas with landscaping tailored to Xeriscaping in Hill Country Texas. The experienced team enjoys landscaping in Kerrville, Hunt, Ingram, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Bandera, Comfort, San Antonio and Mountain Home. Burroughs works with home owners, builders and general contractors and considers the location, topography, aesthetics and aspirations of each client.

The Century Plant

Landscaping can be more enjoyable when it requires less maintenance.  Using plants that are native to your regional climate are easier to care for and resist pests and diseases. Native plants have naturally adapted to their environment over thousands of years so they won't need as much fertilizer and water as non-native plants.

The Century Plant is a perfect plant to add to your landscaping design plans. This iconic agave thrives in full sun or part shade and is a native Texas plant.  This rugged beauty is celebrated by landscapers for its ease of care and durability.  It is also known as the American Agave and has been utilized as a cornerstone resource by indigenous people from its point of origin in the highlands of Mexico to the unforgiving terrain of Arizona and parts of Texas.  This agave century plant has beautiful leaves that can grow to a length of six feet.  These leaves can be a bluish-gray color and have thorns at the bottom so be sure and keep them away from pedestrian areas.

Once established the century plant needs essentially no attention.  It can live up to 25 years and produces only a single set of blooms during its lifetime. The name century comes form the fact that is a slow growth plant and it takes years to bloom, although it doesn't take 100 years! The blooming consists of a cluster flowers on top of the huge central stalk resembling a candelabrum and is a memorable sight if you are lucky to see it!

Burroughs Landscaping will be happy to meet with you to design your landscape plan to fit your needs and wants. Specializing in landscaping tailored the needs of the Hill Country including xeriscaping.

Burroughs Landscaping offers outstanding service and innovative ideas with landscaping tailored to Xeriscaping in Hill Country Texas. The experienced team enjoys landscaping in Kerrville, Hunt, Ingram, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Bandera, Comfort, San Antonio and Mountain Home. Burroughs works with home owners, builders and general contractors and considers the location, topography, aesthetics and aspirations of each client.

Burroughs Landscaping Receives Comanche Trace Tour of Homes Best Landscaping Award

Burroughs Landscaping is proud to be the recipient of the 2016 Comanche Trace Tour of Homes Best Landscaping award.  Comanche Trace is a beautiful development with amazing views of the Guadalupe River valley and the inherent beauty of the Texas Hill Country.  This development boasts a championship golf course, trails for jogging, walking and hiking, catch & release fishing lake, swimming pool, fitness center and many more amenities.

Burroughs Landscaping's plan for the modern hill country style home located at 1021 Pinnacle View Drive included incorporating the back patio as well as the front and side yards. The amazing views of the golf course, lake, and surrounding hills makes this house a perfect place to relax and unwind. 

Burroughs Landscaping is happy to assist you in designing an award winning plan that is a perfect fit for your yard and lifestyle. Xeriscaping plans include drought-tolerate plants that save water and establishes a waste-efficient landscape.   


Burroughs Landscaping plans include popular choices such as evergreen trees, flowering shrubs, native plants from the Texas Hill Country as well as beautiful rock and cacti.  Give the friendly staff at Burroughs Landscaping a call today!

 

Burroughs Landscaping offers outstanding service and innovative ideas with landscaping tailored to Xeriscaping in Hill Country Texas. The experienced team enjoys landscaping in Kerrville, Hunt, Ingram, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Bandera, Comfort, San Antonio and Mountain Home. Burroughs works with home owners, builders and general contractors and considers the location, topography, aesthetics and aspirations of each client.