How to Get Rid of Pesky Uninvited Bugs in Your Home

Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  People have varying reactions to bugs. Some are afraid of them, some like them, some don’t even think about them, but most everyone doesn’t want bugs living rent-free in their home. If you are outside on a muggy day, you wouldn’t be surprised to get bitten by a mosquito, but do you really want to get bitten by a mosquito in your sleep? It is highly unlikely that you will be able to get rid of all insects in your house. Some might sneak in when a window or door is open or through a crack in a screen. However, there are some ways to make them scarce.

The Kitchen

Your kitchen is a haven for bugs if you allow it to be. Keeping your kitchen clean is a daily job and one where it is easy to miss some necessary steps. For instance, how often do you go through your pantry and cabinets and throw out outdated and old food? How often do you move your appliances around to clean under and behind them? Probably not very often. Most people don’t have the time to do such a thorough cleaning and should consider hiring a deep cleaning service once or twice a year. They will clean in places you might never even think of, like inside and outside of your cabinets, high places you can’t reach like ceiling fans, and your vents, door knobs, and switch plates. These are not normally places in your kitchen you think about cleaning on a regular basis, although you should if you want to keep little critters away.

Don’t Feed Them

If you don’t want unwelcome visitors in your home, don’t feed them. It is easy to forget that bugs like your food too when they are given easy access to it. Try to remember to cover your food and not to leave any food out overnight. Also be sure to clean and wipe down your countertops regularly including under toasters and other small appliances.

Windows and Doors

When entering and leaving your home, try not to leave the door open longer than is necessary. Examine the screens on your doors and windows. Repair any holes, gaps, or tears. It only takes a very small opening for tiny bugs to get in, so in case some do get through, you may want to keep some natural mosquito repellant to hand for organic mosquito control.

Outside Your Home

Insects can get into a home if you have deteriorating weather stripping, torn screens, or rotted wood. Replace or repair any of these vulnerable areas. You also want to keep tree branches and bushes away from your home. Keep them trimmed and well-maintained. If you have any rotted wood from wood piles or tree stumps, remove them as well.

We have all heard that standing water around our homes attracts disease-born mosquitos. Other insects, as well as rodents, are attracted to water giving you another reason to pay attention to any water accumulating around your home.

Another suggestion is to drill holes in the bottom of trash cans and recycling bins so that water can drain out. If you have a birdbath, be sure to clean it a least once a week.

Don’t forget about your gutters and be sure to keep them clean. Remove leaves, debris, and grass clippings to minimize the opportunity for pests to create a nest. Keep yard waste, firewood stacks, and compost sites as far away from your home as possible because bugs like to hide in these places.

This might sound simple, but keeping your garbage pails covered can actually help. You should also wash your garbage pails or cans and cover the inside with borax because it is toxic to many bugs.

Seal Them Out

Think about your home and analyze any areas where light and air pass through because bugs can get into your home the same way. The bottom of your doors can be closed to bugs by installing tight-fitting thresholds and door sweeps. You should also fill gaps around the sides and top of your doors by using door seals. If your home has any cracks in the walls or foundation, be sure to seal them up. Appliances vents, utility lines, telephone lines, dryer vents, and gas lines can also have small gaps or cracks and should be sealed to keep bugs out.

Your main goal is to keep the bugs where they should be, outside your home. Do your best to minimize entries into your house and make sure to keep it as clean as you can.

Click the links below for any posts you have missed:

Buying a Baby Shower Gift

Steps to Turn a House into a Home

Tips to Create a Mesmerizing Garden

5 Ways to Cool Your House

10 Spring Cleaning Tips

Six Home Maintenance Tasks

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