Rural properties tend to see more ticks, mosquitoes from irrigation and low ground, rodents drawn to grain and outbuildings, and wildlife that brings pests along. Rural properties do, however, face fewer of the pest problems that come from dense urban living.
In a lot of ways, pests are “worse” in farm country. But it’s not quite that simple. Urban living comes with its own pest problems that aren’t as bad out in more rural areas.
Ticks might be the place where farming communities have it worst. Rural properties frequently border woods, brushy fence lines, tall grass, and CRP or fallow ground. Ticks love that. There is also plenty of wildlife that ticks can use as hosts like deer, and mice. That’s enough to bring ticks right up into your yard. With Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses spreading into Illinois, it’s something to keep an eye on.
Mosquitoes have their own rural drivers. Irrigation, farm ponds, drainage ditches, low field areas that hold water, and livestock watering setups all create standing water for breeding. A farmstead can create plenty of mosquitoes even away from a city’s storm drains and containers.
Rodents and structural pests also come with the territory. Grain, feed, barns, sheds, and outbuildings offer food and shelter that draw mice and rats, and the wildlife moving through rural land brings fleas, ticks, and other hitchhikers toward the home.
But the good part is that rural areas are often better drained and less crowded. The pests, if nothing else, tend to be more spread out.
For rural homeowners, the first priority should be removing sources of standing water. Mosquitoes use that to breed. Beyond that, keep an eye on outbuildings and make sure you don’t have pests encroaching on them. It’s also smart to maintain a clear buffer between the yard and wild edges of your property so your living areas are less prone to pests. If you have trouble with pest control, you can always call a professional.
