14 Outdoor Décor Trends That Are Attracting Pests to Your Yard

This post may contain affiliate links.

Adding decor to your outdoor spaces is an excellent way to expand the charm of your home, creating a relaxing or entertaining space. There are so many options when it comes to creating an outdoor oasis from stylish lighting to vibrant planters. While we may be establishing the stage for memorable evenings and great parties, we may also be inviting some unexpected guests to your yard – pests!

Read on to learn which items can be attracting pests with a “Welcome” sign, and how to replace them with décor that’s beautiful without inviting bugs and animals to crash your party.

Over Stuffed Outdoor Cushions and Rugs

Outdoor seating is often thick, and plush cushions, rugs, chairs and sofas are great for cozy family and guest seating. Unfortunately, those soft layers and crevices are just as cozy for pests such as ants and even very small rodents. While water resistant, outdoor fabrics are rarely pest resistant, especially when you have food crumbs or spills. Thin, easy to clean cushions and rugs can help reduce the appeal for pests, and regularly cleaning and airing them will keep things tidy and bug free.

Outdoor Dining Areas

Entertaining in an inviting outdoor dining area is a great way to do so, but it also attracts pests. Ants, flies and rodents will quickly find food scraps and spills and turn your lovely dinner party into a pest parade. To reduce this risk, make sure your dining area is kept clean and cover food when not in use, so you don’t serve a side of bugs with your meal.

Unsealed Wooden Structures

Wooden decks, pergolas and gazebos are beautiful, natural touches that can transform an outdoor area. Unsealed or untreated wood can attract termites, ants and other wood loving pests. They’ll burrow in and potentially cause long-term damage to your home, and these tiny invaders will find cracks and crevices irresistible. Seal regularly any wooden structures, and check for signs of pest activity. That way, you can get the rustic look without bringing in little tiny termites to live in your walls.

Bird Feeders Too Close to the House

If you’re a bird watcher, bird feeders are a charming addition. But they’ll also bring other less welcome guests like rodents and raccoons. They might get a bit too close for comfort, and placing them near your home might encourage them. Keep feeders away from windows and doors, pick up any scattered seeds regularly. That way, you can have feathered visitors without having an unintended crowd.

Lawns and Flowerbeds That Are Overwatered

The dream is a lush, green lawn, but overwatering it can lead to a damp paradise for pests including mosquitoes and gnats. Fungus gnats and other bugs can be attracted to overly wet soil, as can fungus. Water your lawn just enough to keep it healthy and look for soil that drains well. This allows your yard to stay green without unintentionally becoming a bug friendly habitat.

String Lights Left Out All Year Round

In the evening, twinkle string lights make patios and yards look magical. However, if left out year round (especially in humid or rainy conditions) they can attract insects and even be a sheltering space for spiders. Go with solar powered or battery operated lights you can easily bring indoors when not in use. Not only will doing this preserve the lights, but it will also avoid inviting bugs into your yard.

Lush, Dense Shrubbery and Trees Close to the House

Elevate Your Curb Appeal: 17 Luxe Landscaping Tips — Photo Credit: iriana88w/123rf

Rich greenery around your yard can be lovely, providing some cozy atmosphere and some much needed shade, but dense shrubbery and trees that grow close to the house and make a natural bridge for pests. These shaded spots are too inviting for squirrels, spiders, and ants who will often use branches and overhanging leaves as pathways into your home. Trimming shrubs and moving them a little further from your house can keep the green look that you love and limit critters’ access points.

Fruit Trees Without Netting

Fruit trees are a must for fresh, homegrown treats, and to add beauty to any outdoor space. But ripe fruit can also be a beacon for pests, such as squirrels, raccoons and wasps. Fruit is not always safe from these hungry guests, but netting can help, and picking up fallen fruit on a regular basis can also help to keep swarms of insects away looking for a sweet snack.

Poor drainage Potted Plants and Flower Pots

Mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in pots that hold onto excess water. Even just a small amount of standing water can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and if your planters don’t drain well, you may be creating a mosquito haven without realizing it. Choose pots with the right number of drainage holes, and put saucers underneath to catch excess water, but empty them after watering.

Small Crevices in Garden Décor

Photo Credit: Linda McKusick/Shutterstock

Garden statues, gnomes and other décor items can add personality to your yard but if they have small holes or crevices they can be a home for pests. Often these hidden spaces are just the perfect spot for small insects such as ants and spiders. Solid, smooth décor items are a better choice for bugs. Keeping things simple can be a great way to keep the creepy crawlies out of your outdoor haven.

Wind Chimes and Hanging Lanterns

15 Items That Should Never Be on Your Front Door — Photo Credit: Pexels

Lanterns and wind chimes are pretty things to have around the outside, but they also are an insect gathering place, particularly if left dangling under lights or moist areas. Particularly inviting are lanterns that collect rainwater, since mosquitoes are likely to find them. To prevent this, empty out any standing water from your lanterns and hang wind chimes away from where they’ll become bug traps. In this way, you can enjoy the ambiance and relaxing sounds while keeping buzzing company away.

Fire Pits

A fire pit is nothing but a relaxation point where you can gather around with friends and family. But the flames can be hot enough to attract some insects, such as wasps and bees, which might be scouting for a sweet drink. Citronella candles, or moving the fire pit away from flowering plants that might lure in these buzzing party crashers, will help avoid uninvited visitors.

Vertical Gardens

Vertical gardens are becoming a popular new way to make the most of space and show off beautiful greenery. But pests like aphids and spider mites love dense foliage, and these gardens can attract them. Regularly inspect your plants and think about mixing companion planting tactics to keep pests at bay while still encouraging healthy growth to fight this.

Standing Water in Decorative Fountains

15 Serene Water Features to Transform Your Backyard Oasis — Image Credit:KEVAL PADHIYAR/Pexels

I have to admit that a bubbling fountain is an addition to any yard that doesn’t require much work, and offers peace and calm. However, if it doesn’t have a continuous water flow or proper filtration, it can very quickly become a mosquito breeding ground. Mosquitoes love stagnant water, and your nice fountain becomes a breeding ground for itchy biters. If you can, choose fountains with pumps that keep the water moving and add fish, because they will eat larvae and help reduce mosquito populations.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.