The Home Maintenance Mistake That Is Inviting More Pests Into Your Yard & Home

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If you're wondering why irritating pests might come into your yard more often, the answer could be in your gutters. Not cleaning gutters and creating good drainage is a lawn maintenance error that can result in a major pest problem. When gutters are filled with damp organic material such as leaves and debris, it makes a cozy shelter for pests, including cockroaches, ants, termites, and rodents. Then, as the rain doesn't flow properly through the gutters due to a blockage, this collects moisture that many of these pests love and seek. This stagnant water is often a breeding ground for mosquitoes. As they make their home in your gutters, these insects can also attract larger pests in search of a tasty meal. Installing downspouts and regularly cleaning your gutters can reduce pest chances.

You may already know that frequently neglecting to clean your gutters can cause foundation issues, water damage, and other concerns, but gutter pests aren't just bothersome — they can wreak havoc in your home. Ants such as carpenter ants may make their way inside, potentially weakening the property's wooden structures. Even more risky is termite damage, which can destroy various wood elements in your home, including the cabinets, doors, and ceilings. Many other insects, such as roaches, can bring disease and contaminate your food, plus are just unpleasant to have around. If you want to prevent potential infestations of any of these annoying pests, here's how to improve drainage and make the gutters less inviting.

Improving the drainage of your gutters makes a big difference for pest deterrence. Two clear signs you may need a downspout is if rain continually flows over your gutters or if it puddles around your foundation. Downspouts help collect the water and let it flow away from your home. As the water doesn't collect in the gutters, it makes the environment less welcoming to pests.  While improving drainage is good, you can't skip the actual debris removal either, even if it's pretty grimy. 

Fortunately, it's easy to clean your gutters, and doing so will decrease the chances of pests nesting in them. You can either hire a service or do it yourself. You'll need a sturdy ladder, a good pair of gloves, and some time. Starting at the downspout (if present), use your hands or a gutter cleaning tool such as a Vivid Works gutter scoop and dig out the contents. Once you've removed the material, gently rinse anything that remains with your garden hose. Position yourself at the end, and work your way towards the downspout, being careful not to spray your home's shingles. If you don't have a ladder and need to clean your gutters, one alternative is to use a leaf blower with an attachment. Avoid using it in cases with a lot of impacted leaves and twigs. This also isn't the cleanest method, but it'll work in a pinch. Most experts advise cleaning gutters out twice a year, but they may need more frequent cleaning if you live in an area with a lot of trees, heavy rain, ice, and snow.