10 tips to keep bugs out of your house.
Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, your home is your sanctuary. It’s a place to relax after a long day of work, have family dinners and entertain your friends. You don’t want uninvited insects crashing your party, nibbling on crumbs, raising their young — and feasting on the wood in your walls (or your own blood … shudder). Luckily, a little bit of prevention goes a long way to maintain a pest-free home.
How to keep bugs out of your home.
Insects and other pests have a way of invading your house throughout the year. Here’s how to prevent bugs from coming into your home.
1. Fix leaks and reduce standing water. Dripping faucets, leaks under sinks or in the walls, and even pooled water in the yard are all basically homing beacons for bugs. Keep insects from seeking out these damp areas in your home and lawn by plugging up any water leaks, turning containers that catch rain water upside down, repairing leaks in the roof (or replacing your roof entirely if needed), and promptly fixing those incessant faucet drips. If you’re not sure how to properly address a leak, contact your local plumber or handyman.
2. Seal up your home. If insects want in, they first have to find their entry points. Inspect your home for cracks and holes around door frames and windows, identify and replace any rotten fascia boards and check for damaged weather stripping. When you find a weak spot, invest in new weather stripping and caulk for a DIY fix (or hire a pro who can do this for you).
3. Clean up. Keep kitchen surfaces and floors wiped down, swept up and crumb-free to avoid attracting ants, flies and other critters.
Related: 25 things in your home you (probably) forgot to clean.
4. Declutter. Spend time decluttering low-traffic spaces like attics, garage storage areas and basements. Stacks of old newspapers and magazines, bags of clothes and other junk are the perfect places for pests and insects to hide.
5. Stay on top of lawn, garden and tree care. Trim trees so that the branches don’t touch your home’s exterior or roof. Collect leaves around your home, and clean out your gutters regularly — especially after a storm.
6. Take out the trash. Garbage attracts all sorts of disgusting critters and bugs. Take out your trash promptly, and place it in an outdoor garbage can with a secure lid.
7. Pay attention to your bed. Frequently wash your bedding, sheets and pillowcases when faced with a potential bed bug, flea or dust mite issue. For bed bugs in particular, be sure to inspect your mattress and box springs, too.
8. Store away all food (including pet food). Practice good habits by always making sure your cereal boxes, jars and food containers are sealed and stored away properly. And if you have pets, make sure you always put away uneaten dog or cat food — never leave it sitting out all day and night.
9. Inspect your pets’ fur. Make sure your pets receive any flea and tick care or prevention they might need. During flea and tick season, examine your pets’ fur for scratching, scabs, red skin and other signs of these annoying pests.
10. Stay vigilant. Throughout the year, keep a lookout for signs of a possible insect infestation. These signs may include insect droppings, bites on your skin, holes in the walls and floors and scurrying, scratching sounds. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s time to act by trying a DIY method or hiring a local pest control service.
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