Nobody wants to creep, crawling things working their way into their home! The good news is, there are several DIY tips you can utilize to keep pests out. Even better, there are no harsh chemicals required!
Don’t Invite Them to Stay
Sure, we’ve all heard that cockroaches can survive the end of the world as we know it, but that doesn’t mean they appear out of thin air! Your first line of defense is to keep your eyes open for signs of invaders so that you can stop them before they take up residence in your house.
Believe it or not, ants send out scouts to scope out your home before they move in. That means, if you see one or two ants in your house, you better pay attention because there will be more to follow. To make sure home doesn’t look inviting to ants, keep food in airtight containers and take your trash out daily. Don’t leave dirty dishes laying around in the sink. If they can’t find food in your house, they’ve got no reason to stay!
Learn Where They Like to Hang Out
Ants and termites love to hang out in stacks of firewood, and they’ll use it to hitch a ride into your house, so keep it at least 20 feet away from home. Do you have a bird bath, fire pit, or tire swing in your yard? These things all collect water, and standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Bird baths should be cleaned regularly, and any other standing water should be dumped out. Your landscaping could be rolling out the red carpet, too. Keep branches and bushes trimmed away from the foundation and roof of your house so that bugs don’t decide to take up residence there and slowly move into your home.
Keep Them Outside Where They Belong
One of the most important steps you can take is to seal off the outside of your home so bugs can’t find a way. The primary trouble spots are vents, pipes, chimneys, windows, and doors. Inspect the outside of your home for any cracks or crevices that bugs might use to find a way. Seal foundation cracks with concrete or caulking. Be sure there are no gaps around vents, pipes, or wires that go into your home. If there are, they can be sealed up with caulking or spray foam. Huge gaps can be filled in with steel wool. For doors and windows, weather stripping is your best friend. Also, make sure your window and door screens are in good repair and fit tightly.
A Clean Home Is A Bug-Free Home
Bugs love messes! If you keep your house, clean pests won’t be interested in taking up residence. The kitchen is a crucial area. Be careful not to leave crumbs or other yummy treats laying around. Vacuuming frequently is also necessary. Believe it or not, cockroaches are attracted to paper, and they like dark places. Boxes of magazines or books and other clutter laying around are just like an invitation for trouble.
Starve Them Out
Bugs generally come into your home looking for something to eat. Put the snacks away, and they’ll move on to the next house offering a free buffet. Keep all of your food in tightly sealed containers or put away in the refrigerator. Bugs love fresh fruit, so skip the fruit bowl and keep the fruit in the fridge, too. When your pet is done with his dinner, wash out his basin right away. Otherwise, your pet is likely to start his ant farm.
They’re Thirsty, Too
Standing water is just as bad inside the house as it is outside. It serves as a drinking fountain and a breeding ground. Check beneath your sinks for leaky pipes. Look for any signs of dampness in your basement or attic. Find the cause and seal it up tight. Cockroaches are drawn to water, and you don’t want them moving into your house.
Repel Ants Naturally
Ants are a common problem in the summertime, and your first reaction is probably to grab some toxic spray. What if I told you there’s a better way? These days, we’re all looking for natural solutions, and there are a few things that will do the job. Vinegar has a smell that ants can’t stand, so use it to clean your counters and cabinets. A good spraying with soapy water will kill ants quick and erase their trail their friends would follow to your kitchen. Hit up your spice rack and put out a light dusting of pepper, mint, chili powder, or cinnamon anywhere you’ve seen ants hanging around. Those will all make them move along pretty quick.
Knock Cockroaches Dead with this Easy Trick
This one’s a little sneaky, but oh so rewarding! Grab something the cockroaches like to eat. Sugar or cocoa powder are both excellent choices. Mix in some Borax and sprinkle it around anywhere you’ve seen cockroaches. The Borax will kill them when they eat it. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Know When It’s Time to Call in the Big Guns
Sometimes it takes more than some caulking and Borax to get rid of bugs. Take bed bugs, for example. The experts at Broadway Exterminating in NYC say they are one of the most challenging pests to get rid of, and it’s very labor intensive. Bringing in a professional exterminator may be required in this situation. They’ll use the latest technologies, including methods that produce extreme heat or cold, to get rid of bed bugs for good. And it’s not just bedding bugs that are impossible to get rid! Termites are also virtually impossible to get rid of on your own, too. If you see signs of termites, like piles of discarded wings or rotten wood around your house, it’s time to call in the pros!
Keeping your home pest free is a constant battle, especially in the summertime. Don’t be afraid to call in the pros to help you win the war! After all, a bug-free home is important for your family’s comfort and safety.
