There’s nothing quite like the feeling of coming home to a clean and tidy house. But sometimes, no matter how much we clean, it feels like bugs and insects are always lurking around. This can be especially frustrating in the summertime, when doors and windows are left open more often to let in fresh air. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to help bug-proof your home and keep those pesky critters out.
1. Keep Your Home Clean and Clutter-Free
Bugs are attracted to food and water sources, so one of the best ways to keep them out of your home is to eliminate those food and water sources. Regularly cleaning your kitchen and bathroom, and taking out the trash regularly, can help reduce the number of bugs in your home.
Some foods that bugs are especially drawn to include :
• Sugary foods: Ants, roaches, and flies are all attracted to sugar. Keep your counters clean and free of crumbs and seal up any sugar-based products tightly.
• Starchy foods: Bugs like beetles and weevils are attracted to starchy foods like flour, rice, and pasta. Be sure to store these items in airtight containers.
• Meat: Many bugs, including cockroaches and flies, are attracted to meat.
2. Find Potential Entry Points
Bugs can enter your home through a variety of means, so it’s important to regularly inspect your home for any potential entry points. Be sure to check cracks in walls, gaps around doors and windows, and any other openings.
3. Install Magnetic Screen Doors
Screens can help keep bugs out of your home by preventing them from getting inside in the first place.
Magnetic screens for doors are especially effective at keeping bugs out. These also allow you to keep your doors open for ventilation without worrying about bugs coming inside.
4. Don’t Leave Dirty Dishes Lying Around
Wash your dishes promptly after use, and don’t leave them sitting out overnight. Bugs are attracted to dirty dishes, so keeping them clean can help reduce the number of bugs in your home.
5. Vacuum and Mop Regularly
Vacuuming and mopping your floors regularly can also help reduce the number of bugs in your home. Bugs are attracted to food and water, so by vacuuming up any crumbs and mopping up spills, you can make your home less attractive to them.
6. Take Out the Trash Often
Bugs are attracted to garbage, so be sure to take it out regularly. If possible, try to keep your garbage cans outside so that bugs don’t have easy access to them.
7. Call a Pro If Necessary
Exterminators are people who help get rid of bugs, insects, and other pests from homes and businesses. They use a variety of methods to exterminate pests, including chemicals, traps, and sprays.
If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still dealing with a serious bug problem, it may be time to call a professional. They can help identify the source of the problem and get rid of the bugs for good.
Some instances when you might want to call an exterminator include:
• If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation
• If you have a lot of cockroaches
• If ants are coming into your home in large numbers
• If you’re seeing rodents in your home
8. Use Bug Traps
One of the best ways to get rid of bugs is to trap them. This can be done with a variety of different traps, including:
• Glue traps: These are traps that use a sticky substance to trap bugs.
• Electric traps: These are traps that use an electric current to kill bugs.
• Insecticidal traps: These are traps that use a poisonous substance to kill bugs.
• Physical traps: These are traps that physically capture bugs.
You can purchase bug traps at most hardware stores, or you can make your own.
To make your own bug trap, start by finding a container that bugs can easily enter, but won’t be able to fly or crawl out of. Next, add a bait that bugs are attracted to. This could be something sweet like sugar or fruit.
Once you’ve added your bait, cover the container with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Make sure there are a few small holes in the plastic wrap so that bugs can get inside.
Place your trap in an area where you’ve seen bugs, and check it regularly to see if any have been caught. When you find a bug in the trap, remove it and dispose of it properly.
Conclusion
Learning how to get rid of bugs can be a challenge, but it’s important to do if you want to keep your home clean and comfortable. By following the tips above, you can reduce the number of bugs in your home and make your life a lot easier.
