It’s easy to overlook some of the neglected spots on your own property, but when you can get past them, your neighbors on the other side of the fence may be disappointed. Subtle landscape maintenance can quickly turn into problems if not addressed. In addition to ruining your curb appeal, these issues can attract pests like mosquitoes and rodents and cause costly and unsightly damage to your yard and surrounding structures. Five yard problems you’ll want to avoid to keep peace with your neighbors while warding off unwelcome pests and protecting your property.
1. Overgrown grass and weeds
Overgrown grass and dense weeds are common eyesores in messy yards. “Not only does it make the yard look messy, but it’s also a breeding ground for ticks and fleas and a great hiding place for rodents,” says real estate expert and CEO and co-founder Ryan Carrigan. Come on Buddha in Athens, Georgia.
According to Kerrigan, the reason an overgrown yard annoys neighbors is because ticks and fleas spread, so if they have animals, neighbors will experience the problem as well. Another reason it hurts is that weeds and their seeds don’t respect the boundaries of the yard they occupy. “Weeds like dandelions and crabgrass spread like wildfire, and before your neighbor knows it, their yard is infested,” says Carrigan.
He recommends good practice Yardwork Etiquette Stick to a consistent mowing schedule to keep your grass tidy and remove weeds from your garden promptly.
2. Old and neglected mulch
Green grass can be a common eyesore, says Tyler Menka, president of The best bark mulch in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, because after 2 or 3 years the green grass loses its color and turns a flat, washed-out gray. “Grass clippings, leaves, sticks and dust work their way into mulch over time, and the fine particles that give fresh mulch its smooth appearance rot or sink into the soil, leaving behind a rough, uneven layer with no clean edges,” Mainka explains. Allowing this to happen makes it look like you’ve skipped landscape maintenance, which can upset your neighbors because the look drags down the aesthetics of your entire street.
In addition to curb appeal, matted mulch traps moisture and gives rodents an insulated tunnel space with cover from predators, and rodents use it as a direct bridge to the nest, Mainka says. Avoid piling mulch against your home’s foundation, as this can trap moisture and accelerate wood rot. “The 6-inch allowance isn’t just good practice; it’s reflected in residential building codes and what flags pest control inspectors when mulch touches siding,” Mainka notes. “Keep the layer between 2 and 3 inches and pull it back from the base.”
3. Standing water
Collecting water in areas such as bird baths, clogged drains and ponds can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Matt Bigach, cofounder of Nexus Homebuyers In Knoxville, Tennessee, where he buys distressed properties and repairs them before putting them back on the market, he walks hundreds of yards during inspections each year and always finds standing water first. “It creates more problems than people realize,” he says. “Rainwater collects in clogged gutters, low areas in lawns and forgotten kiddie pools, giving mosquitoes plenty of time to breed.”
In his experience, low-lying yards near property lines tend to become swamps every time it rains. “That water usually flows directly next to the neighbor, and thus a Conflict between two neighbors Those who were once good friends start,” warns Bigach.
To remedy this situation, you may need to regrade your yard or install gutters so that water can flow properly. Also, be sure to maintain all water-related areas of your property, such as cleaning gutters twice a year and installing a pump to keep water flowing in your birdbath.
4. Damaged fences and sheds
Something as simple as a fence or Gardening supplies storage shed Headache may also occur. Leaning fences and rotting shed walls can be cosmetic problems, but they almost always turn into pest problems, Bigach says. “Rotten wood creates an easy entry point for rodents to enter the nest and build a messy nest for months without anyone knowing,” he explains.
He has seen neighbors fight over a section of fence that has collapsed, because people are so concerned about what they see from their own yards on a daily basis. Avoid stressful conflicts with your neighbors by repairing any damaged structures on your property. “When rotting boards and bent fence posts are replaced, however, pests aren’t given a chance to get in, and it’s often not as expensive as people think when they get a few quotes.”
5. Dead or dying trees and excess branches
Dead and overhanging tree branches are also a big no-no, Kerrigan says. “Dead branches are essentially ticking time bombs; when they fall, they can cause massive damage to the areas around them.” This eyesore can hurt a neighborhood’s overall curb appeal, plus it can be a liability if a Trees or branches fall Over a shared fence or neighbor’s shed.
Prevent the problem by trimming your tree annually. “Early pruning of dead limbs or removal of an obviously dead tree will help protect your roof and other structures,” says Bigach. “It usually costs a lot less than waiting for the storm to make the decision for you.”
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