Chemical-Free Ways to Keep Bugs Out of Your House and Yard
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A sink filled with dirty dishes and standing water is an obvious culprit, but look in less obvious spots, as well. And on days you don’t feel like tossing the trash, make sure your bins are covered or even sealed. If there's one way to ruin a lovely time indoors, it's when flies show up.
Clean Up Your Yard
"With trailing growth habits, nasturtiums are great for containers," says Spoonemore. There are lots of small openings in the foundation, walls, and roof of every home to allow various utility lines—telephone, cable, fiber optic, air conditioning, and gas—to pass through. Inspect and seal these holes with silicone caulk to eliminate entry points for pests. It’s no secret that the food scraps in trash cans attract bugs and rodents. Avoid infestations by properly bagging and sealing garbage and storing it in closed containers.
Roof Damage
And if you really have a mean streak, you can even bait ants to kill them. WikiHow has a couple simple methods to trick them into your traps. If there's one house bug that fuels nightmares, then it would be the centipede. Their creepy legs and long antennae make them one of the most frightening looking bugs on the list.
Keep siding in good repair.
Using diatomaceous earth alongside the hydrogen peroxide solution is a great way to flush out an infestation. Pests can easily find their way into your house through any gaps in your home, whether it's a crack in your foundation, a gap around a water pipe, or even a small gap beneath the door. Weatherstripping and caulk can be your best friends in keeping pests from gaining entry into your home.
Why ladybugs swarm your home — and what to do about it - The Washington Post
Why ladybugs swarm your home — and what to do about it.
Posted: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Stink bugs are also known to tuck themselves into folds of curtains, hole up in crevices, and seek out quiet spots like crawl spaces. It’s a well-known fact that termites consume wood, but did you know that they’re also attracted to cardboard? Like wood, cardboard contains cellulose, which attracts termites.
Many pests are attracted to it, such as flies, fruit flies, gnats, bumble bugs, litter beetles (yes, there is such a thing), and so on. Aside from the gross factor, it's also unhealthy to not keep the litter box clean. Luckily, there are things you can do to minimize litter box-related insect problems. One important thing you can do to keep pests out is to reduce their hiding places. Bugs and other pests like to hide under leaves and foliage, as many also eat plants, fruit, nuts, acorns, dead leaves, and practically anything organic you can think of. If you're like many of us, you probably tend to neglect the yard once in a while.
You may notice one fly buzzing around your fruit in the morning, then come home from work to see half a dozen more. Fruit fly larvae hatch just 24 hours after eggs are laid, so you’ll want to act fast to take them out. Cut off their food supply by storing soft fruits in the refrigerator. Also, immediately wipe down cutting boards and counters after food prep, and empty your garbage and recycling cans daily. If, in spite of these preventive measures, you spot a few of these common house bugs, create a simple DIY fruit fly trap by filling a small tumbler halfway with apple cider vinegar. Then, add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, and fill the glass the rest of the way with warm water.
How to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Plants
Vacuuming is the fastest and most efficient way to remove stink bugs. Natural and DIY remedies, such as vacuuming, sweeping, and trapping, can remove them. But if you can’t eradicate the stink bugs on your own, or if your home has been invaded by hundreds of bugs, consult a pro.
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Instead, use mortar, copper mesh, sheet metal, or another more impenetrable material, depending on the type of patch you need to make. If necessary, hire a qualified professional to tackle more involved repairs. Taking it one step further, avoid having firewood on the ground, as it will reduce the probability of pests hiding within. You can keep firewood on top of pallets to allow air circulation under it, or something similar that will serve the same purpose. Additionally, cover it with a tarp to keep it protected from the weather.
Part of what gives bugs a bum rap is that they gravitate toward messes. Keeping your home clean is the best way to keep pests away, especially the kitchen where crumbs and other potential treats lurk. When it comes to keeping bugs out of bedrooms, the best defense is a good offense. “Make sure the screens are in good shape,” says Forte—it only takes a small tear for bugs to get in, especially in the warm summer months when windows might be open more than usual. This can be quite an undertaking and a small gap can easily be missed, so take your time with this step.
Next time you spot one of these common household bugs, try taking preventative measures with these natural remedies. If there are any cracks in your home, patch and seal them up to keep bugs and other pests at bay this winter. Replace any rotting wood, clear away broken bricks and replace them and patch any cracks in your home’s foundation and walls. Check your home’s siding to make sure there aren’t any gaps or holes.
It just takes a few drips from a leaky faucet or toilet to provide a water source for these creatures. If any areas of your home are often humid, setting up a dehumidifier would also be a good idea. Another tip is to purchase garbage containers with locking lids, or lids that snap into place. This will prevent pests from ever getting into the trash in the first place. The main thing is to ensure your inside garbage is taken out regularly, and that any outdoor bins are kept clean and can be properly closed.
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