CHARLOTTE – Spring is coming soon, and the changing seasons mean a change in your home and garden landscaping routines. Warmer weather brings on increased insect activity, reveals any damage that may have come from winter freezes, and requires much more dedication to landscape maintenance. Here are some tips from local experts on keeping your outdoor spaces healthy, safe, and beautiful as spring approaches.

Phil and Pam Carter write that it’s important to make landscaping plans and order supplies early in the season, so that product availability doesn’t run low by the time you are ready to build your landscape. They also note that this is a great time of year to apply weed controlling agents, inspect trees and other plants for damage, and clean up planting beds. These mulch experts recommend a layer of mulch around one inch thick for planting beds and around trees to retain moisture and protect root systems when the weather becomes more drastic. When daytime temperatures reach near 70 degrees, it’s a great time to plant warm-weather grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and carpet grass, taking advantage of spring sun and rain.

Outdoor electrical equipment can become subject to the harshness of winter weather and could use an inspection as spring rolls around. Greg Bartholomy, of GB Electrical Services, writes that spring is the right time to check outdoor system panels for sturdiness and to make sure that covers are securely fastened to keep unwanted pests out. Lighting and wiring are other areas of concern that Bartholomy brings up, noting that these can be subject to damage from animals and winter weather. Outdoor outlets and pool motors, Bartholomy writes, should be checked early in the season as well.

Insects, rodents, and other nasty pests are on the move as days get longer. It’s important to take care of debris, lawn growth, standing water, and other insect-attracting problems that pile up in the spring. The process of keeping bugs at bay includes regular lawn mowing, moving wood and other decay from around your house, and trimming shrubs and bushes. It’s important to conduct regular leak checks and clean gutters regularly to prevent insect infestation as well. While these methods will help, contacting a professional pest control service is necessary in many cases, especially in humid areas. When fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and ants become more active, Tactical Pest and Termite Solutions provides monthly treatments from April through October to keep them at bay.

For more information on how to keep your home and garden healthy, safe, and beautiful, keep an eye out for upcoming columns from the experts in this article. To learn more about these experts and the valuable services that their companies offer this community, visit their websites at tactical-pest.com, metrolinamulch.com, and getthebestelectric.com.