A Guide to Keeping Your Home Bug-Free During the Summer

Insects, creepy crawlies, bugs, otherworldly spawn – whatever you wanna call them, they’re nasty, often gross, quite disturbing, and just all around unpleasant to be around. What’s worse is whenever one finds its way into your humble abode, either looking for food or, worse – trying to lay its eggs. Ewww!

Since summer is approaching, more and more insects are bound to show up with each passing day. These tiny little creeps can quickly make their way into your home through any means. No, really. Even the smallest gap can become a passageway for these things.

Besides, not only can they be irritating, but they can also carry viruses and bacteria that can harm you and your family. As such, we’ve gathered some helpful tips on how to keep bugs out of your home and enjoy a pest-free (and bite-free) summer.

Keeping it Spiffy Clean

One of the most effective ways of preventing bugs from coming into your home is to keep it clean. Bugs are attracted to food sources, regardless of how disgusting said sources may be or if they could even be considered food. As such, ensuring your kitchen and dining areas are 100% spotless is essential! Or, well, 90% at the very least…

Wipe down tables, countertops, and other smooth surfaces regularly, and make sure to store food in airtight containers. Remember to take out the garbage regularly and immediately clean up any spills, crumbs, or mysterious goop and gunk.

Keeping your floors clean is also essential, especially if you have furry pals like cats, dogs, rabbits, etc. Vacuum and sweep regularly, and clean up any pet hair or food that’s on the floor or furniture. Bugs can be quite attracted to pet food, so store it in a sealed container instead of a bag.

Sealing it Tightly

To expand on what we said in the beginning, insects and rodents can quickly and easily enter your home through various openings, including pipes and vents. Although these openings may appear small, they can serve as a gateway for pests to “infiltrate” your living areas. Roaches are often the number one example of this.

Sealing gaps or cracks around utility pipes, vents, and other areas is key in preventing these pests from entering your home. Sealing these openings with caulk or foam insulation stops pests from getting in and even enhances energy efficiency to boot!

Moreover, guarantee that any vents or exhaust fans in your home are covered with proper screens/covers to prevent pests from using them as pathways. Regularly checking these areas and performing necessary maintenance can significantly boost your home’s “bug security,” so to speak.

Treating it With Natural Repellants

If you're looking for a natural way to keep bugs out of your home, try using oils found in, where else, nature! Certain scents, such as peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus, naturally repel bugs thanks to their chemical properties. Mix a few drops of the specific oil with water and spray it around your home, focusing on entry points such as windows and doors.

Another natural repellent is diatomaceous earth (also known as diatomite and celite), a fine powder from fossilized algae. Sprinkle it around your home, focusing on areas where bugs are likely to enter, such as around doors, windows, and structural gaps. Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating bugs, so it's recommended to use caution when using it around pets or children.

Hire a Pest Control Professional

If your bug problem can be considered severe, it may be time to call in the big guys – professionals! A pest control expert can identify the type of insect or arachnid in your home and develop a plan to eliminate them, along with the source. They can also provide preventative measures to keep bugs from returning in the future.

When hiring a pest control professional, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable company with actual reports on them, especially one that uses environmentally-friendly products and guarantees its services. It's also a good idea to ask for other people’s references and read online reviews to ensure you choose a company that provides top-notch services.

In conclusion, while bugs can be a common problem during hotter seasons, there are still ways to keep them out of your home. By keeping your home clean, sealing entry points, using natural repellents, and – in extreme scenarios – hiring a pest control professional, you can enjoy a bug-free summer and keep your family healthy and safe, with next to zero possibilities of insect-related jumpscares!