Keeping up a lawn, a hedge, and a garden can cost you a huge amount of work and money. But it’s satisfying to create a finished, welcoming space to entertain friends and family outdoors. However, if you’re not careful, your hollyhocks and hedgerows can send an open invitation to all the intruders in the area. Keep an eye out for these burglar-friendly yard conditions:

Overgrown bushes close to the home, or blocking the street view: This is asking to tell a burglar to just hunker down in the shade and wait until you leave the house. Or worse, to take his sweet time breaking into the window or door at night, without any fear of detection from passers-by. Keep those hedges low, and the home clearly visible, for the best security outlook.

Tall trees with long limbs, next to the second story windows: Almost the same as providing a ladder for intruders, tall trees can lead to second floor break-ins. On a related note, keep second floor windows locked, and wire them into your security system.

Tall grass and weeds: Combine it with a pile of newspapers in the driveway, and you’ve pretty much told the burglar that you’re away on vacation. He won’t mind sneaking in the back door and slowly cleaning out your home while you’re gone. Instead of letting things go while you’re away, hire a neighbor kid or a lawn service to keep things fresh and neat for you. That ought to keep the prowlers guessing.