How to Keep a House Bug-Free During the Summer Months

Every homeowner desires to have a bug-free home. Unfortunately, insects are more prevalent during the summer and can become quite a nuisance. While many commercial products help control these pests, you can also do some simple things to keep your home free of bugs.

What matters most is that you are proactive in your approach to keeping them away. This blog explains a few tips to keep in mind that will help you have a bug-free home all summer long.

 

 

Keep Your Home Dry

Keeping moisture out of your place is simply keeping bugs at bay. Mostly, you have to ensure no water leaks around the house. Check all hoses and pipes and make sure they are not dripping. If they are, get them fixed right away.

In addition, keep an eye out for any condensation that might be building up on windows or other areas. Wipe it down as soon as you see it so that mold and mildew don’t have a chance to form.

Another way to keep your home dry is to use a dehumidifier. This will help control the humidity level in your house and make it less attractive to bugs.

Consider using fans as well, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are more humid than the rest of the house, so running a fan will help keep the air moving and dry.

In addition to keeping your home dry, you also want to ensure it is well-ventilated. This will help keep bugs from being able to hide in small, dark places. Open windows when weather permits, and use exhaust fans when cooking or showering to help remove moisture from the air.

 

Add Screens to Your Home

The screens are not just for windows. You can also get screens for your doors and other openings to the outside. This will help keep bugs from coming into your home.

If you have a fireplace, consider getting a screen for that too. It’s also a good idea to keep your windows closed when possible, especially when bugs are most active at night.

When buying these screens, ensure that they fit snugly in the opening and that there are no gaps. You can also get screens that are specifically designed to keep bugs out.

These might be a little more expensive, but they will be worth it if they help to keep your home bug-free.

You can buy retractable bug screens that allow you to open your windows and doors without worrying about bugs getting in.

Screens will retract into a housing when they are not in use so that they won’t impede the opening or closing of your doors and windows. To gain the benefits of installing retractable bug screens, you must work with competent installers.

It would help if you had experts who could take accurate measurements so the screens fit snugly in their housing units. The screens should also be easy to operate, so you can easily open and close them.

 

Keep the House Clean

Wipe down counters and sweep or vacuum floors regularly. Take the trash out often, and don’t leave food in the open. Store food in airtight containers and keep it in the fridge or pantry where bugs can’t.

Sometimes, pests can still find their way in, no matter how clean you keep your house. If this happens, don’t despair. There are still things that you can do to get rid of them. You need to be patient and consistent in your efforts, but eventually, they will disappear.

Developing a good cleaning routine is the first step to having a bug-free home. But there are other things that you can do as well. You want a plan to address both the inside and outside of your home.

 

Seal Up Cracks and Holes

This seems like a no-brainer, but many people don’t realize how easy it is for bugs to enter their homes through the slightest openings. Even the tiniest opening can be an invitation for insects.

So, take a walk around your house and look for any cracks or holes that need to be filled. Caulk any cracks in the foundation or exterior walls. Fill holes around pipes and other penetrations.

Make sure that doors and windows fit snugly in their frames and that there are no gaps around them. Besides, you might need to replace weather-stripping around doors and windows.

This material helps to create a seal around the edges of doors and windows. It’s usually made of foam or rubber and can be found at most hardware stores.

 

Use Natural Repellents

Citronella candles are a popular choice for outdoor areas like patios and decks. You can also plant herbs like basil, mint, and lavender around your home. These plants not only smell good, but they can also help keep bugs away.

Another natural repellent that you can use is essential oils. Oils like eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint are all effective at repelling insects. You can diffuse them or make your spray by mixing the oil with water. 

Just be sure to test it on a small area first to ensure that it doesn’t damage the surface on which you spray it. There are many other natural repellents that you can use as well. Do some research to find what works best for you and your home.

 

Change Your Lighting

Many insects are attracted to light, so switching to LED bulbs can help reduce the number of bugs drawn to your house. You might also consider using yellow or red bulbs instead of white or blue ones. These colors are not as attractive to insects.

Another thing you can do is change the location of your outdoor lights. Move them away from the house if you have them right next to your door.

You might also want to consider using motion sensor lights, so they only come on when someone is outside. This will help reduce the amount of light that attracts bugs to your home.

By taking these steps, you can help keep your home bug-free during the summer months. Enjoy your time outdoors without having to worry about being bitten by bugs. These tips will also help to keep your home more comfortable by keeping the bugs out.

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