As the weather warms up and flowers begin to bloom, it’s time for all of us to think about how to keep our homes bug-free in the coming months.
At Spectrum Pest Control, we know how to get rid of bugs. However, we know that you’d rather not have the bug problem in the first place! Here are seven easy tips you can use to keep your home free of bugs.
How to Keep Bugs Out of the House
1. Repair Screens and Check for Openings
The first thing you should do is check all of the screens in your house to make sure they are in good condition. Even a small hole or tear can be enough to admit bugs.
It’s also a good idea to look for openings in the foundation and cracks in the walls that insects can get into. Make a list of the openings you find and then repair them before the bugs have time to make an entrance. Depending on your situation, you may also want to put a screen over the chimney and at any other entry point to your home that might be unprotected. Sealing all the entrances of your home is the best way to bug-proof your house!
2. Store Food Properly
It doesn’t take an expert exterminator to know that bugs are attracted to food. They have to eat too, and the food you have in your home may be far more accessible than what they can find outside.
Get in the habit of wrapping food and putting it away when you’re not using it. Invest in some bug-proof containers for things like flour and sugar. It’s also beneficial to take pet food out of the bag it comes in and put it in an airtight plastic bin. Store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator to discourage fruit flies.
Finally, make sure to dispose of food scraps and waste properly. Get a trash can with a tight lid and make sure to keep it on at all times. If you have an in-home compost bin, keep that tightly covered as well.
3. Declutter Your Home
It is much easier for pests to get a foothold in your home if you give them a place to set up shop. Here are a few household objects bugs like to hang out in:
- Piles of newspaper or magazines
- Boxes of firewood
- Dirty clothes
- Food wrappers
- And more!
4. Keep the House Clean
Insects are naturally attracted to spills, crumbs, and dirt. If your house is at all messy then you might find it difficult to keep bugs at bay. And sometimes, messes can accumulate where you don’t see them – especially if you have pets or small children.
Take some time this spring to clean your floors thoroughly, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping as needed. Get in the habit of rinsing dishes and putting them into the dishwasher as soon as you are done with a meal. If you don’t have a dishwasher, wash dishes in the sink immediately. Bugs are attracted to leftover food and you don’t want to give them a reason to visit.
5. Eliminate Water Sources
Anybody who lives in a dry climate can tell you that bugs are attracted to water, and particularly so when there is a shortage outside. To give you an idea of why this matters, consider this: a cockroach can live for as long as a month without food but only a day or two with no water. Bug-proofing your home is impossible with standing water in and around your house!
Spring is a good time to double check your gutters and make sure they are working properly, directing rain water away from your house. Examine all of your appliances for leaks.
6. Switch to Halogen Lights
You have probably noticed that bugs tend to congregate around porch lights and other exterior lights – and they’re attracted to indoor lights too. One thing you may not know is that halogen lights are less attractive to bugs than other lights. Try looking for bulbs with a pink, yellow, or orange tinge to them. Those are not as appealing as other colors and may help to keep bugs away from your door.
7. Inspect Items You Bring Home
Finally, bear in mind that a trip to the grocery store might be an opportunity for bugs to sneak into your home. Take a minute to examine the items you buy to make sure they are free of bugs. Insects can sometimes hide out in produce as well as in bags of dried food such as flour, rice, and sugar.
If Pests Have Already Become a Problem – Call Spectrum Pest Control
Nobody wants bugs inside the house. Taking these seven preventive measures now can save you a world of trouble when the warm weather returns. And in the event that you do end up with a bug problem, remember that Spectrum Pest Control is here to help!
