Not only are bugs annoying to deal with, but they can also spread diseases and contaminate your food–potentially making you and your family sick. Most pests can make their way into your home through the tiniest of cracks, so in order to prevent bugs in your home, you have to make sure your house is sealed up properly. Check out these 5 common ways pests find their way into your home, and how to prevent them!
1) Improperly Sealed Doors
When doors aren’t properly sealed, it’s easy for bugs to find their way in. Even the smallest crack is an invitation for them to enter your home. To solve this problem you can:
- Install a threshold: Aluminum or steel thresholds can help close the gaps between the door and the frame to give bugs less room to come in.
- Install a sweep: For added protection, a sweep can tighten the seal. Opt for nylon rather than vinyl or neoprene options for best results!
- Re-caulk frames: Gaps in the frame can also invite bugs in. Re-seal any issues to keep bugs out!
2) Overgrown or Poorly Maintained Yards
When you don’t maintain your yard and grass on a regular basis, it can allow pests to breed. What does this mean? It makes it easier for them to bother you while you’re outside, or slip into your home through open doors and windows. The most common problem in the yard is standing water. Mosquitoes need water to breed, so a pool of water in your yard is an invitation for a mosquito infestation! To keep your yard pest-free follow these tips:
- Keep your grass trimmed regularly
- Rake and remove leaves often
- Level any low areas where water can collect
- Change water in birdbaths and fountains every two weeks
3) Cracks and Passages in the Perimeter
Just like a poorly sealed door, cracks in the foundation, walls and perimeter of the house is one of the main ways that bugs enter your home! Some typically vulnerable areas include:
- Cables, heating, and plumbing: These wires and run through the outside walls as well as the inside. To ensure bugs can’t find their way in, we recommend sealing the outside as well as the inside around these items.
- Dryers, vents, and exhaust fans: These openings can also make it easy for bugs to come in. Be sure to frequently inspect vent dampers to ensure they aren’t stuck open or broken, and functioning properly!
- Cracks in foundation and siding: Bugs can squeeze through just about any opening. Be sure to perform thorough inspections of your house’s foundation, and re-seal any gaps you find. You should also pay special attention to where side walls meet the foundation, which is often a favorite hiding spot for bugs!
4) Chimneys and Other Large Openings
Large openings like chimneys can’t exactly be sealed air-tight, but that doesn’t mean that you have to let bugs in! For spots like this, prevent bugs by covering the openings with screens or hardwire cloth. You can also consider spraying a bug barrier to ensure they don’t get past this area if they do get in.
5) Food and Clutter
Even with the best prevention possible, bugs seem to still find a way in. The best way to keep one bug from becoming an infestation is to eliminate their source of food and their hiding spots. Follow these tips to make sure that bugs aren’t making themselves comfortable in your home:
- Eliminate clutter: Bugs love to hide, and clutter keeps you from seeing pest problems clearly! Some of their favorite items include piles of newspaper and cardboard boxes, but they can hide in any cluttered areas. Keep clutter to a minimum to protect your home from roaches and other pests. This includes inside your home (in areas such as basements, attics, etc.) — as well as outside your home (garbage or recycling cans, outdoor storage, etc.)
- Get rid of open food and water: To keep bugs from making a meal out of your food, keep all food and ingredients stored in airtight containers or the refrigerator whenever possible. Don’t let dirty dishes sit for long periods of time, particularly in dirty, standing water. Also remember to put away pet food overnight or use containers that are designed to keep pests out.
- Keep food trash in the kitchen: Refrain from throwing food trash away in wastebaskets throughout the house. Instead, always use the kitchen trashcan. Don’t forget to take out the trash and sanitize the trash can regularly!
No house can be completely sealed off — after all, you need to get in and out of it as well! However, keeping an eye on these areas will help keep bugs out of your home, and keep your family and furry friends safe!
Need Some Help From Experts?
Preventing bugs isn’t always your number one priority, but trust us when we say it’s much easier than dealing with an existing infestation! If you need help bug-proofing your home, let the experts at EnviroCon help. We know the places that bugs love to hide, and more importantly, we know how to keep them out. Not only can we eliminate any current problems, but we can also give you the knowledge you need to get your home ready to defend itself against any future pests!