Landscape Maintenance and Plantings for Vacation Rentals and Wedding Venues: Mitigating Ticks, Mosquitoes, and Pests

Landscape maintenance and plantings are critical not only for aesthetic appeal but also for guest safety and comfort. For vacation rentals and wedding venues, managing outdoor spaces to mitigate pests like ticks and mosquitoes is essential. Not only do these pests pose health risks, but they can also negatively impact the guest experience, especially during outdoor events or leisurely stays.

At Wild Birch Design, we integrate pest control strategies into our landscape design and maintenance plans to ensure that your outdoor spaces remain safe, welcoming, and pest-free for your guests. By understanding the best times of year to take action and the plants that can help deter these pests, we provide effective and natural solutions.

Best Times to Take Action

Ticks and mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious health risks, including Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Vermont, in particular, has seen a steady increase in Lyme disease cases, with ticks being most active from spring through fall. Warmer winters have also been contributing to an extended tick season, as ticks are able to survive in milder conditions, leading to higher populations earlier in the season.

Here’s when you should focus on pest control and maintenance:

Spring (April–May): This is the time to begin preemptive measures, especially for ticks. Begin by cleaning up leaf litter and tall grasses, as ticks thrive in these areas. You can also start implementing organic sprays, strategic mowing practices or natural pest repellents around your venue or vacation rental’s grounds.

Early Summer (June–July): As mosquitoes become more active, it’s important to focus on creating a pest-free environment by mitigation or treating standing water like ponds or wet zones. Mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant water, so ensure any water features or ponds are regularly maintained. During this time, it’s also essential to apply targeted treatments to vegetation to deter mosquitoes.

Fall (September–October): Ticks begin to move into shaded areas often with leaf litter for coverage, and mosquitoes tend to linger through the warmer fall days. This is a great time for a seasonal cleanup in high use areas and restorative practices in less accessed places like fields and unused woods. Applying essential oils like eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender to outdoor seating areas or event spaces can help ward off pests as well. Bug zappers, traps, heaters and bright lights at dawn or dusk draw mosquitos in, be intentional with your mitigation strategies.

We recommend working with your local university extension office for best practices safe for the environment and your guests.

Effective Planting Choices for Vermont and New England

Incorporating the right plants into your landscape is a natural and effective way to repel mosquitoes and ticks. There are several native plants and herbs that thrive in New England’s climate, and that also serve as natural pest deterrents:

Mosquito + Tick Repelling Plants: Consider planting mosquito-repellent perennials such as most ferns, bee balm, asters, Lupine, Serviceberry, lavender, and annuals like marigolds, basil, and lemongrass. These plants emit natural oils that mosquitoes find unappealing. Placing them near seating areas or outdoor dining spaces can add a beautiful, functional touch to your venue.

Tick-Repellent Plants: Ticks are less likely to thrive in areas with certain plants. Incorporating plants like ferns, high bush blueberries, rosemary, garlic, or peppermint can help naturally repel ticks. Keeping your lawn or landscape trimmed, with these plants strategically placed in garden beds or along walkways, can also discourage ticks from encroaching on your property. The University of Vermont Extension encourages the use of these plants to help mitigate tick populations in landscapes.

Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants: In New England, removing non-native invasive species and planting native species that are adapted to the local environment, can help create an eco-friendly landscape that discourages pests without the need for chemical treatments.  The invasive non-native perennial Japanese barberry harbor 12x more ticks than spaces without according to the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. Get them out of here!

Native plants provide a diverse habitat for birds and other wildlife. Owls and hawks, eat ticks, other bugs, and mice, lowering the tick population. Additionally, with a varied growth form, native plant communities create an environment that is less protective of mice and ticks.

Habitat Modification for Pest Control in Vermont and New England

Beyond the strategic planting of pest-repellent plants, habitat modification is a crucial step to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from thriving on your property. These steps are especially important in areas like Vermont’s forests and fields, where these pests tend to breed:

Eliminate Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. A key strategy for Vermont and New England property owners is to check for areas of standing water, like in birdbaths, ponds, and flowerpots, and clean them regularly. Adding fish to water features can also help control mosquito larvae.

Clear Overgrowth: Ticks thrive in long grass, leaf litter and thick brush. Keep your lawn well-mowed, trim back overgrown vegetation, and remove leaf litter, where ticks often hide. This reduces places for ticks to thrive and minimizes the likelihood of them transferring onto guests.

Buffer Zones: Establish specific outdoor areas for guests, such as patios or event spaces, away from dense shrubbery or wooded areas. Creating meandering paths and clear boundaries can reduce the chances of guests encountering ticks or mosquitoes. You can also use mulch, stone, or other materials to separate these spaces from high-risk areas with trails through the woods, meadow or on the water.

Working with Pest Control Professionals in New England

While planting the right vegetation and modifying your landscape can go a long way in mitigating pests, working with an integrated pest management expert ensures a more comprehensive and long-term solution. In Vermont and New England, working with a local integrated pest management company allows high risk properties to apply natural or organic pest treatments during peak seasons to prevent pest populations from spiraling out of control.

Pest management services can implement targeted treatments for ticks and mosquitoes while adhering to Vermont’s environmental standards, which emphasize organic and eco-friendly practices. These treatments can be customized for your property’s specific needs, ensuring that you remain proactive in pest management.

Enhancing the Guest Experience

At Wild Birch Design, we understand that the outdoors are an essential part of your guests' experience. Whether it's a vacation rental nestled in Vermont's Green Mountains or a wedding venue surrounded by scenic New England views, we ensure that your outdoor spaces are not only visually appealing but safe from pests.

Investing in pest management, landscape maintenance, and strategic planting enhances the guest experience by providing a welcoming atmosphere where guests can enjoy the outdoors in comfort. When pests are not a concern, your guests can focus on what matters most: making lasting memories.

For vacation rentals and wedding venues in Vermont and New England, prioritizing pest control is a simple but effective way to enhance your brand's reputation, attract repeat visitors, and keep your property in top shape year-round.

Ready to create a pest-free outdoor space for your property?

Let's create a beautiful, functional, and safe environment for your guests. The Design Lab is your opportunity to explore seasonal landscape management strategies. We'll work together to uncover ways elevate your space and guest experience in our ever changing climate.

Design Lab with Kate

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