Helpful Guide To Cleaning The Home and Keeping It Bug Free

Summer is heating up, and although you’re probably spending more time outside, you might notice that bugs are spending more time inside your home. Bugs come into your home for all kinds of reasons - some of which might be unbeknownst to you.

It can be frustrating to have bugs in your house, and in many cases, dangerous. Bugs aren’t exactly clean, and they can spread all kinds of nasty diseases.

Here are some tips and strategies for a bug-free home  - so that you can keep bugs out for the entire year.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Bugs sometimes seem like they appear out of nowhere, but luckily, that’s rarely the case. You can usually detect warning signs and potential problems before they arise - but you need to be vigilant about spotting them before they become an issue.

A few tips?

For starters, some bugs (like ants) will send out scouts before they actually invade a home. Spotting just one or two bugs inside a house can often mean that more are on the way - so don’t let one or two slide. They’re simply checking out your home to see if it meets their standards - and if it does, more will be on the way soon.

Don’t keep your fact-finding missions indoors, either. You’ll also want to head outside to figure out where bugs are coming in - and why. For example, firewood tends to be attractive to all kinds of pests, including ants, termites, and spiders. Make sure all piles are stored at least 20 feet from your home so they won’t come indoors.

When it comes to flies and mosquitoes, standing water is your nemesis. Get rid of any areas where water tends to pool. Level out puddles and keep shrubs and branches groomed away from walls. You should also empty out birdbaths, play sets with tire swings that collect the rain, fire pits, and treehouses.

All of these present potential breeding grounds for pests, so make sure they are positioned as far away from your house as possible.

Secure The Outside

Once you know what your “problem spots” are, it’s time to shore things up and secure your home’s defenses against bugs. The easiest and most effective way to eliminate a pest problem is to start outside and work your way in.

Look for any openings around your home that might be allowing pests in. Common entry points include pipes, windows, chimneys, vents, and gaps around roof shingles. Seal those up to the best of your abilities. You might need to repair torn window screens or replace loose bits of weather-stripping.

If there are any open spaces near vents or pipes, consider filling those in with steel wool or caulk. Remember - even the tiniest gaps and cracks are often large enough to invite and allow pests inside.

Cleanliness is Key

A clean house isn’t just good for you and attractive to your guests - it’s also essential if you want to keep bugs out. Keeping your home neat and tidy is an easy way to keep pests at bay, so make sure you take the time to tidy up.

Kitchens and bathrooms tend to be the most common hiding spots for pests. You’ll want to make sure all crumbs are wiped up and that all surfaces are sanitized. Don’t forget those often-neglected areas, such as beneath the cupboards or behind the refrigerator, too.

Don’t want to toss the trash? Make sure you cover and seal your bins each day. You should also vacuum regularly (at least once a week) or sweep to make sure there aren’t any “goodies’ lying around on the floor for pests to munch on.

Remember to wipe down and empty the cupboards on a regular basis, too. This will eliminate any bugs that might be hiding out inside. Whenever you dig through your pantry in search of baking ingredients, check expiration dates and eliminate any packaging that is damaged or expired. 

Even if your house is super sanitized, it’s important to remember that dirt and food particles aren’t the only things that draw pests indoors - they also love clutter. Cockroaches, in particular, are drawn to dark spots and the smell of paper. Get rid of any clutter, particular stacks of bags, boxes, or magazines.

Don’t forget to clean those bathrooms with non-toxic all-purpose cleaning kits, either. Make sure you tidy up any leaks and scrub out beneath your bathroom cabinets and sinks. These tend to hold moisture and also stay quite dark, two variables that bugs love. Wipe down your bathroom on a regular basis and consider using a scented cleaner that bugs hate - like lemongrass.

Kitchens and bathrooms aren’t the only spots you need to pay attention to. You might also want to brush up the bedrooms.

You might like to keep your windows open while you sleep during the summer months, and that’s a great habit - it’s good for your health. However, you need to take some extra precautions to make sure you aren’t inviting bugs into your bed, too. Make sure your screens are all in good shape to keep bugs out, and consider setting up a trap. You don’t have to rely on chemical insecticides, either.

There are some traps, like multi-spectrum light traps, that use simulated body heat and light to lure in and capture flying pests. These traps are most effective at night, when it’s dark, and will get rid of bugs while you’re fast asleep. There are no side effects on pets or people, either, so they’re totally safe to use in the house.

Don’t Make Your House a Bug Buffet

The best way to get rid of - and to prevent - bugs in your house is to avoid attracting them there in the first place. Make your home as undesirable as you can. Put the snacks away to avoid attracting pests - store them in sealed containers or in the refrigerator whenever possible.

Rethink the way you organize your pantry, too. Storing food in containers made out of glass or BPA plastic is a great way to not only keep your food fresh longer, but to keep snacks away from bugs, too. Sounds like a win-win! 

Plus, this is a great way to preserve the shelf-life of your food and make it look more appetizing in your cupboards, too.

Did you know that a single female fruit fly can lay several hundred eggs on the surface of fermenting fruit? Yuck. that not only is unappetizing to think about the next time you reach for a snack, but it can make your fruit spoil faster, too.

Oops - too late? If fruit flies are already a problem in your kitchen, get rid of the spoiled fruit fast. Dispose of the rotting bits in outdoor trash cans to prevent the eggs from hatching inside the trash bins in your home, and keep fruit in the fridge to prevent this disgusting occurrence.

Even something as benign as the countertop fruit bowl in the kitchen can invite unwanted houseguests. Stash the fruit in the fridge instead. Don’t forget about Fido, either. Keep the pet bowls clean to avoid attracting pests with the daily dose of kibble.

There Are even some seasonal items that could attract pests. From decorative Indian corn to fragrant potpourri, all kinds of decor is known to draw in pests. Try to unpack these items outside your home and store them in airtight containers when they aren’t in use. Inspect them for bugs before you bring them inside or use plastic decor when that’s not an option.

Stay Dry

When you’re considering the things that attract bugs into your home, food might be obvious. However, have you given water a thought? That’s another important variable that many people forget when it comes to getting bugs out of the house.

Water can encourage pests just as much as food can. Wet areas not only serve as a breeding ground for pests, but they provide bugs with water they need to reproduce, too. Dirty dishes and standing water are obvious, but consider going beyond the obvious, too.

Certain spots, like pipes behind the sink and in the bathroom, can leak and attract pests. If that’s the case, call the plumber immediately.

You’ll also want to scope out places like attics and basements, which tend to be damp and can attract pests. Any excess moisture should be dealt with by initiating the proper repairs or by setting up a dehumidifier.

Remember, there are some pests, like cockroaches, that are constantly on the lookout for water. That’s why they are called waterbugs, after all!

Get Ants Out Naturally

Ants are some of the most common household pests - but luckily, they’re pretty easy to deal with, too. To get rid of ants, you don't necessarily have to reach for a can of Raid. There are plenty of natural treatments you can try that are not only safe for use around your family and pets but also are inexpensive.

For example, ants hate certain smells, like vinegar. Vinegar is a great disinfectant and also repels ants and other pests. You can even use something as simple as a spray of soapy water, which kills ants and also wipes away the hormones they release in a chemical trail to repel other pests.

Some other hacks to consider? Ants hate black pepper, red chili powder, mint, turmeric, and cinnamon. Just bust out that trusty spice rack when you’re trying to get rid of ants - you don’t need to bake a cake. You just need to get rid of the ants! 

You can also leave out fresh cucumber peels. Do this in areas that tend to experience a lot of ant traffic, and you’ll get rid of them in no time. Cucumbers will also make the rest of your home smell nice, too. 

There are other ant baits you can try, too, including things like apple cider vinegar and neem oil.

Kill Cockroaches

Cockroaches are some of the most despicable household pests. Not only are they downright unpleasant to look at, but they can spread all kinds of diseases, too. Cockroaches are known to spread both salmonella and e.Coli. Luckily, you can easily get rid of them with a simple solution.

Mix together two ingredients that roaches love, such as cocoa powder and sugar, with a deadly additive - like diatomaceous earth or Borax. Both of these are easy to find and mostly safe to use. Diatomaceous earth in particular is a great choice if you have pets. This compound consists simply of the ground-up exoskeletons of fossilized microorganisms.s it is nontoxic to both pets and people.

Call Professional Services

In some cases, you may have implemented all of these steps above and still found that you cannot vanquish your pest problem. If that’s the case, you’ll want to consult the professionals. 

Some pests in particular are stubborn and can be almost impossible to eliminate on your own. One example is bed bugs. Bed bugs are nearly impossible to get rid of without heat treatment. The same goes for termites - these pests can cause extensive and expensive damage. If you notice piles of discarded wings or termite droppings (also known as “frass”) lying around, you need to get an exterminator on the phone - stat. 

If you find a serious infestation of any kind, consulting a pest control professional is best. That’s especially true if you want to use any kind of chemical to get rid of the bugs in your house. Many of these have potentially harmful side effects, so it’s important to be aware of what you are getting into ahead of time.

Keep Bugs Out Of Your Home For Good With These Helpful Tips

Side of fruit flies? No thank you.

Bugs can be a serious nuisance, especially when they take up residence in your home. They can spread diseases and make your home look dirty - but luckily, there’s no reason why you have to put up with them.

Follow the simple tips above for preventing bugs and cleaning around the house, and you’ll be able to keep bugs out of your home for good.

Rebekah Pierce is a professional social blogger and has worked on several online publications including Citrus Sleep. Rebekah is an experienced content writer and copyeditor. You will find many of her works throughout CitrusSleep.com that cover a wide array of subjects including sleep education, natural, sleep products, electronics, fashion and many more. She is passionate about her work and family.

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