Home is where you go to get away from it all. You have worked hard to get your home just the way you want it, and you certainly don’t want to share it with unwelcome guests! Unfortunately, bugs don’t wait for a written invitation. They move right in and set up housekeeping whether you like it or not. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take that will make your little corner of the world less appealing to pests. These strategies won’t take away from the comfort or beauty of the home, either! In fact, some of them can make your home even more beautiful!
Remove Bugs From Home
Remove Bugs From Home

1. Make Your Home Less Inviting to Hungry Bugs

Assess your home and yard carefully. Are there things laying around that could be an invitation for bugs to move in and take up residence? Make sure your food is out of reach in airtight, bug proof containers. Wash your dirty dishes promptly and take the trash out every day. Keep your outside trash cans covered and place them far away from your seating areas. If you are eating outdoors, keep your food covered with plastic wrap or invest in some screen covers to keep the bugs off your food. When you’re done eating, clear the dishes as soon as possible.

2. Know When to Pull Out the Big Guns

When it comes to bugs, being proactive is always a good idea. Having a regular pest control plan is a great place to start. Set up a regular schedule with a pest control company. The can effectively remove bugs from your home and yard while taking steps to keep them from coming back. There are some proactive steps you can take on your own, too. Yard foggers are great for clearing bugs out of the area before an outdoor get together. Perimeter sprays can also be used inside and outside of the home to keep bugs out. There are plenty of natural pest control sprays on the market these days, so there’s no need to be concerned about introducing dangerous chemicals into your environment.

3. Welcome Nature’s Bug Predators

Did you know that one bat can eat as many as 1,000 mosquitos every hour? In fact, birds love to eat bugs, too. Strategically placing a bat house and some bird feeders in your yard can encourage these natural bug predators to stick around and eat the bugs. Not only that, but they will also add beauty to your yard, too!

4. Remove Standing Water from Your Yard

Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water, so removing any sources of standing water from your yard is a crucial step for keeping the mosquitos under control. Keep your gutters cleaned out, so water doesn’t sit in them and if you have a birdbath, put a mosquito dunk in it to keep the mosquitos from using it as a breeding ground. Biological mosquito dunks are safe to use around pets and wildlife.

5. Maintain Your Lawn and Landscaping

Overgrown vegetation makes the perfect hiding spot for bugs. Keep your grass and landscaping neat and tidy to discourage pests. If you have bushes or trees that are touching your home’s foundation or hanging over the roof, trim them back. Don’t let weeds grow uncontrolled in your landscape plantings.

6. Moving Air Keeps Bugs from Lingering

A gentle breeze can encourage bugs like mosquitos and flies to move on. Add fans to your outdoor seating areas to create a breeze and add beauty to your décor. Nowadays, even portable fans come in beautiful designer options.

7. Repel Bugs with Pretty Plants

Did you know that certain plants can help to repel bugs? Add lots of pretty planters to your outdoor seating areas and around your exterior doors. Fill them with bug repelling plants such as rosemary, sage, basil, lemon balm, mint, lavender, and marigolds. Be sure to include these plants in your foundation plantings, too. Many of them are very beautiful and can be used in the kitchen, so they serve more than one purpose!

8. Essential Oils and Scented Candles Can Be Effective Bug Repellants

Using essential oil diffusers and scented candles around your home can add beauty to your home while repelling bugs at the same time. Look for scents that you love, but bugs don’t, like eucalyptus, bergamot, geranium, rose, lemongrass, and lavender. For the patio or porch, citronella makes a great choice.

9. Make Your Home Less Appealing to Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one pest you really don’t want taking up residence in your home. You should inspect your bedroom often for any sign of bed bugs, especially if you live in a condo or apartment building. Scrutinize your baggage when you travel, too, because you don’t want them hitching a ride to your house. Put bed bug proof covers on your mattresses, box springs, and pillows to keep bed bugs out. If you do see evidence of bed bugs in your home, call in a pro right away. They are really tough to get rid of on your own and the longer they’re there, the harder they are to get rid of.

10. Seal Off Entry Points into Your House

Bugs will work hard to find a way to get into your home. Each fall and spring, do an inspection of your house to find any possible entry points and seal them off. Take a walk around the exterior of your house and find any crevices or cracks they can use as an entry point. Look for holes and gaps around your window screens and exterior doors. Check carefully for worn out, brittle, or cracked caulking around places where pipes and wires enter your home. Look for cracks in your home’s foundation, too.

If there are gaps around your doors or windows, consider using caulking or weather stripping to seal them up nice and tight. Cracks in your foundation should be closed up with concrete, spray foam, or caulk. For gaps an holes around where pipes, utility wires, or vents come in, caulking can be used to seal them up tight, too.

Incorporating these 10 easy tips into your regular home maintenance routine can really make a difference when it comes to keeping bugs out of your home and yard. Following this advice can ensure a bug-free and beautiful home and yard all year round!