While we frequently get excited by the warm weather and opportunities that summer poses, summer also means that many of the bugs that usually reside comfortably outside of your home decide to move inside, seeking the cooler climate of your air conditioned home or apartment. While we are moving into the early fall months, the heat is still persistent, and the bugs are still entering homes. Luckily, there are a number of ways to get rid of bugs in your home without setting off bug bombs, or spending mass amounts of money on exterminators. Here are 5 natural ways to get rid of bugs in your home.
- Don’t Let Them In!
The best way to get rid of bugs in your home is to make sure that they never get into your home in the first place. There are plenty of ways to make sure that bugs don’t enter your home, but it is important that you address all of them.
Your first step is to ensure that you seal up any cracks or openings to your house. Redoing caulk around your home, and utilizing any sealants that you may need can help you make sure that any bugs are not sneaking in through small cracks. Check around your windows and doorways, and make sure there aren’t any holes in your window mesh. This ensures that you spend less time removing bugs from your home, keeping them out from the get go.
Another problem that many of us face is that due to the heat of summer, we may need to open a door or window to get a breeze flowing through. If this is the case, it’s important to install something like a door bug screen to make sure that bugs are not entering your house if you need to open a door or air out your home.
2. Natural Repellants
Even if you’ve done your best to seal your home, there are still instances where bugs will find a way in. Thankfully, there are a number of natural repellents that you can use to build a perimeter around your house.
Mix a little bit of peppermint oil, or eucalyptus oil, water, and white vinegar, and place them in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture around the door frames, window frames, and entry points to your home. Many bugs will avoid this mixture, and are far less likely to enter your home. If there are areas where you notice bugs are regularly entering, then make sure that you spray this mixture in those areas as well.
You can also grow plants such as citronella, mint, or lavender to naturally repel bugs from your home. Using these natural repellents are great first lines of defense against bugs and invasive insects.
3. Don’t Provide Food
One of the biggest natural remedies for bugs is not really a remedy at all, but rather is cleanliness. Many bugs and insects, such as ants, fruit flies, and boxelder bugs enter your home because they have not only found a desirable climate, but have found a sustainable food source. Keeping these food sources away can ensure that these bugs stay out of, and don’t revisit your home.
Make sure that you don’t leave food or crumbs on the floor, as these will easily attract ants. Don’t leave food out on the counter, as this will attract fruit flies, and ensure that you regularly sweep and vacuum your house. Even dust, dog hair, and skin flakes have the potential to attract bugs like boxelder bugs, or elm seed bugs. Keeping a clean space helps to keep bugs at bay.
4. Don’t Leave Them Around
Depending on the bug or insect, dead insects in your home can actually attract more. Take ants for instance. Ants leave a trail behind them when they search for food, this allows other members of the colony to follow. When they die, they release an odor that actually attracts other ants to find them, and even return their body to the colony, or build around them. Bugs like the elm seed bug leave a foul stench upon death, and this smell will not only make your house smell bad, but will also attract more of the same bug.
Because of this, it is important that you vacuum up any bugs or insects within your house, and dispose of them either outside, or in a bowl of soapy water before throwing them away. Doing so removes any stench that may attract other insects, and helps make sure your home isn’t regularly reoccupied by pests.
5. Know When to Seek Help
Lastly, it’s important to know when your natural remedies are not enough. Some pest infestations are worse than others, and may require an exterminator. If your pest infestation is out of control, seek professional help.