When you think about home security, you might think about security systems, wired alarms, and video cameras. With today's technology, you can both see and talk to intruders before they even enter the home. What you may not consider, though, is how landscaping can keep criminals off your property in the first place. Here, we'll look at landscape strategies to deter opportunistic home thieves.

Clear Site Lines

Some people will place shrubs or trees right in front of their home. This ensures privacy, with some going so far as to completely conceal their home and yard from street view. While this may seem like a good security feature (because thieves can't see if a home is worth breaking into or not), it's likely to have the opposite effect.

The more shrubs and trees you have, the harder it will be for a neighbor or passerby to spot suspicious activity. This may make your home more of a target. Instead, establish clear sight lines and ensure your shrubs and trees aren't blocking your doors and windows.

Utilize Thorns

Holly, roses, and brambles are all natural defenses for plants, but they can become defenses for your home as well. The more painful or inconvenient it is to wander through your yard, the more likely the criminal will move on to gentler territory.

Consider planting these bushes in front of as many first-floor windows as possible. (Aim for native plants, because they'll be more likely to withstand the weather and adapt to your soil.) You can also add trellises to keep your plants growing ever higher.

Layer Your Yard With Gravel

Gravel can make noise in a way that standard concrete can't. Using gravel in strategic places, like at your back door or beneath first-floor windows make you or your neighbors aware that someone is lurking around.

Keep Your Trees Trimmed

Climbing a tree to a second-story window may require some extra effort, so you may not consider your trees as entryways. However, if the tree branches look like they lead conveniently up to the top, where residents aren't nearly as likely to remember to latch windows, it makes sense to trim the coverage every few months to avoid this possible point of entry.

Keep in mind that the smallest deterrents, like a recording of a dog barking or a security system sign (even if you don't have a security system) can make a real difference. From floodlights to debris clearing, landscaping can be a key part of home security. If you put up enough barriers, criminals may select an easier home.