Nobody wants spiders scurrying in corners; ants climbing in millimeter sized columns across your bench tops.
Not exactly ideal houseguests.
But the good news is that you don’t have to be the best, most neat, and well-organized person in the world.
There are so many simple, practical ways to make your space insect-unfriendly.
Here’s how to make a start on your new insect-free life.
Seal Up Any Sneaky Bug Entry Points
Bugs are world-class at hiding, often finding their way into the smallest crevices of your home. Take a look around inside and outside for any entry points they might use to get in. These are the places to focus on:
- Windows
- Doors
- Utility pipes
- Vents
- Places where walls meet ceilings or floors
- Any cracks or gaps in your home’s outer walls
Seal up any sneaky bug access routes with caulk, weather-stripping or expanding foam. Feel for drafts? Air can get in – insects can get in, too! If you can slide a piece of paper into a jam or a crack, expect bugs to be able to slide their bodies in there, too.
So check thoroughly now, and then keep looking and sealing up anything you find. The tighter your home, the less bugs actually get in!
Install Tight Fitting Screens
Screens open up a room to fresh air while keeping bugs out. See that yours are in good repair and fit well into the jambs and heads of your windows and doors.
- Use fiberglass, metal or vinyl screen material
- Opt for a tight mesh count of 18×16 or smaller
- For super tiny insects, go for stainless steel mesh around 18×20 count
- Repair any rips, holes or gaps immediately
Well-fitted screens are an excellent line of defense against bug invaders!
Weatherstrip Some More!
With screens, though, some can slip in through the cracks if you leave the doors and windows open.
- Use vinyl, rubber, felt or a combined material
- Apply weather-stripping around the entire perimeter of doors and windows
- Choose styles that compress and seal tightly when closed
- Check for gaps and reapply weather-stripping as needed
Take the time to do this right – and check weather-stripping regularly for open gaps and bad seals. Cutting off any perimeter cracks keeps bugs outside!
Install Door Sweeps
Have you ever watched a bug with a flattened body bend itself to get into the tiniest of areas, perhaps an opening of no more than ⅛ of an inch? This is how insects get inside. A door sweep is used to block the crack at the base of a door in which insects can make their way indoors.
- Choose sweeps with bristles, vinyl fins or dense sealing fabric
- Make sure they fit snugly from door edge to floor
- Check garage doors carefully – the sweep needs to accommodate uneven concrete
A good sweep embraces frames a door like a door hugger; his bottom edge is pressed against (set tight) the threshold so you can give the door a good shake and the sweep doesn’t budge an inch. Bugs beware: no more Pad Dinhi, no more fleas, no more mosquitoes.
Light Up Your Yard Only Where Needed
Leaving lights on all night will attract clouds of insects. Switch off outdoor lights except those needed for navigation and safety.
- Use downward facing or directional bulbs
- Focus lights only on frequented spaces like entries, decks and patios
- Try amber or yellow bulbs that draw fewer insects
- Install motion activated lighting that only turns on when it senses movement
Shine light exactly where you need it, and keep the rest of your yard dark. It’s a matter of mathematical proportionality: fewer lights means fewer bugs attracted, by a greater margin, to the door!
Make Your Yard Less Bug-Friendly
Some plants or lawn areas buzz with insects like an outdoor bug barbecue Don’t become part of the meal by:
- Keeping flowering plants away from your home’s exterior
- Trimming back vegetation touching the house
- Eliminating any standing water – empty birdbaths, fix leaky hoses, etc.
- Maintaining the lawn – mow, rake leaves, remove debris piles
- Removing wood stacks, compost bins and any rotting vegetation far from your home
A dry, clean place is far less attractive to hungry and sheltered bugs.
Store Food in Sealed Containers
Like Winnie the Pooh following his nose to sweet honey, bugs go directly to whatever source of food they sniff out. Outsmart them by:
- Store all flours, cereals, rice, etc in your pantry in plastic or glass – no bags or cardboard!
- Using airtight lids on all people food, pet food, garbage cans and recycling bins
- Emptying trash, recyclables, and compost frequently
- Rinsing food debris from dishes, counters and recycling immediately after use
- Never leaving out uncovered human or pet foods
Prevent bug appetites from pilfering your goodies by storing them in odor-blocking containers. No insect can smell your food.
Caulk and Seal Exterior Cracks
- Inspect where walls meet foundations, fixtures and vents for potential entry gaps
- Check spaces between siding boards, bricks or construction materials
- Use caulk or spray foam to completely seal all cracks and crevices you find
- Inspect sealed areas after freezing weather which can re-open gaps
Hunt for those access cracks on the outside edge. Try closing them up completely and the bugs can’t wiggle in.
Deploy Smelly Insect Repellent Plants
Plants help us protect our gardens with unpleasant smells, oils and textures – so why not create an outdoor stink barrier?
Some excellent choices:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Marigolds
- Basil
- Chrysanthemums
- Garlic
- Catnip
Set them about entryways, patios, planting beds and perimeters of your yard. Smelly plants at work!
Call In the Pros When Needed
Sometimes insect problems just become an issue. Maybe you’ve seen one or two, maybe it’s an allergy issue or there’s been an absolute infestation. No shame in having pest control people coming with the heavy artillery!
Some instances when pros are worthwhile:
- Severe allergies to chemicals or stings
- Dangerous pests like nests of wasps
- DIY approaches failed and problem got worse
- Unsure of infestation source
- Lack proper protective gear and tools
- Want ongoing preventative treatments
Serious infestations demand a higher level of home design, equipment, and experience.
Then, once you know your strengths and weaknesses, recognize when you need to call in the big guns and launch a chemical offensive against those bugs!