How to Make Your Residence a Bug-Free Zone

How to Make Your Residence a Bug-Free Zone

With the recent cold weather more insects are trying to sneak stealthily into your nice, warm home to become your unofficial roommates. There are steps you can take to rid your house, well mostly, of insects, but it takes hard work, determination, and a true hatred of the tiny pests. This is war, so pull up your big girl (or boy) panties and get a move on.

You first need to conduct a thorough examination of the outside of your home and yard. Remove piles of bricks, leaves, rocks, or firewood that is lying near the foundation. These are ideal hiding places for creepy crawlies.  If you have trees or shrubs, make sure the branches are at least 12-18 inches away from your house. No plants that attract insects can be near the foundation of your house. That includes any kind of mulch, straw, etc.

Once the are around your house is clear do a thorough search for any cracks or holes that might let insects in and fill them. Don’t forget to check spaces where pipes and wires enter your house. Make sure your windows and doors seal tightly when closed also. Examine your vents and chimneys to make sure they’re not serving as ways for pests to get in.

Now comes the inside of your house. Make sure any food is refrigerated or stored in a tightly sealed container. This is just basic common sense – keep your house clean. Your trash cans should seal tightly when closed. Look out for piles of newspapers, magazines, and any other similar material as they can hide pests, especially silverfish. Repair leaky pipes or faucets. Make sure you don’t have any water sitting around in bowls or pots. They attract insects and create a perfect environment for mold.

There you have it! Keep your nest clean and tidy, and for the most part you won’t have to deal with pests. It’s just common sense when you think about it.

Have you found pests in your home? What do you do to get rid of unwanted visitors in your house?