To live around the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs means enjoying gorgeous red rock views in your backyard and quick access to some of the best hiking trails in the region. However, residents in these prime areas face ongoing problems that many do not expect until it is too late: wildlife and pest activity that naturally occur on the park’s 1,367 acres intrude into living spaces. Close to undeveloped land means a short walk for rodents, insects, and larger wildlife seeking food, water, and shelter in your home. This is no seasonal infestation, either; it is an ongoing struggle, worsened by Colorado’s brutal winters and arid summers. Make sure you speak to Saela Pest Control for help!
Why Homes Near Garden of the Gods Face Unique Pest Challenges
- Direct Wildlife Corridors Into Residential Areas
Garden of the Gods is a natural home for endless species, and your yard is effectively part of their zone. Where larger beasts roam, pests follow. Deer, raccoons, and smaller mammals ply established routes, rubbing between the park and adjacent neighborhoods. El Paso County sees more than 3,000 wildlife-related incidents each year, and many of them are in interface areas such as Garden of the Gods, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
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Limited Pest Control in Natural Spaces
The park itself takes a hands-off approach to pest management, allowing ecosystems to function naturally. That translates into a large number of mice, pack rats, and insects running amok right around you. When food is limited or the weather is harsh, those populations spill over into neighboring properties where conditions are less perilous.
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Rocky Terrain Creates Hidden Entry Points
The same geology that makes the Garden of the Gods special also creates challenges for residents. Rocky formations, natural cracks, and bumpy terrain near the properties offer unlimited hiding and entry points for infestation.
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Year-Round Outdoor Recreation Attracts Scavengers
Due to Garden of the Gods being a popular spot for hikers, picnickers, and tourists, food waste and trash continue to accumulate in the area. Squirrels, crows, and raccoons are mooching off human food sources, then extending their search to neighbouring homes. They take advantage of your trash cans and outdoor areas, making them easy targets for these opportunistic feeders.
Environmental Factors Driving Pest Activity
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Colorado’s Semi-Arid Climate
With only 16.5 inches of precipitation annually, Colorado Springs is drought-stressed. This factor exaggerates pests’ activity because they become focused on anything that is a water source. Everything from ants to large mammals is drawn to garden hoses, pet water bowls, and air conditioning condensation. This scarcity makes those properties with landscaping particularly susceptible to infestation.
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Temperature Extremes and Shelter-Seeking Behavior
Regular summer temperatures reach above 90°F, and winter nights drop below zero. These temperatures force pests to search for climate-controlled shelters, such as your walls, attics, and basements. Mice can fit through an opening the size of a dime; furthermore, when it gets nasty outside, they are very motivated to find shelter and food.
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Native Vegetation and Food Sources
Seeds and nuts of scrub oak, mountain mahogany, and piñon pine near Garden of the Gods support large rodent populations. In late winter and early spring, when these natural food sources dry up, starving animals will rummage through garages, sheds, and homes, looking for whatever’s available.
Seek Professional Help!
Pest pressure from Garden of the Gods is not a battle to be fought with store-bought traps and hopeful sighs. This location has specific environmental issues that require gray experts to recognize local pest action and seasonal growth. That is where the Colorado Springs pest experts of Saela Pest Control come in, easing the minds of those whose properties back up to the trail. They identify the exact points of entry and attractants in natural area-adjacent homes for targeted solutions rather than blanket treatments.
