5 Tips to Protect Your Home from Bugs

Bugs are more than just a nuisance. They can damage your furniture, doors, and documents. They carry viruses and bacteria that spread when they bite and can cause allergies and respiratory issues. Once bugs are in your house, it is difficult to get rid of them. Therefore, it is essential to keep bugs out of the house.

Here are 5 tips on how to protect your home from bugs.

1. Seal up Cracks and Openings

The first step in keeping your home free of pests is to seal off common ways that bugs gain access to your home. Check your windows, doors, and screens for any holes or cracks and caulk or repair them immediately. Add new weather stripping around your door to keep cold drafts and pesky bugs out of the house. This will have the added benefit of energy savings while helping to protect your house from bugs.

2. Focus on Cleanliness

Bugs enter your home looking for water, food, and shelter. Be sure to clean up spills immediately and do not leave food out. Focus on developing good cleaning habits, especially in your kitchen where crumbs, food spills, and other potential food sources can be found. Make sure to vacuum at least once a week, cover or seal your trash cans, and remove clutter that becomes a breeding ground for bugs, such as piles of newspapers, storage boxes, or bags.

3. Keep Foundation Clear

Your home’s foundation is among the most common entry points for bugs. Follow these tips to keep your foundation clear and protected to avoid pest infestation.

• Insects such as fleas, termites, spiders, and ants are good at thriving and breeding in wet areas. Keep your foundations moisture-free to reduce the chance of infestation.
• Keep piles of leaves, wood, and grass or mulch clippings away from foundations and place firewood away from the house to avoid tempting termites.
• Check for gaps or cracks along the foundation and siding joints that can offer easy access for bugs seeking entry into your home. Use caulk, trim, or foam to fix any problem areas.

4. Bug-proof Larger Openings

Certain areas on your home offer larger openings that bugs can take advantage of to get into your home. A few common openings are chimneys, air vents, and crawlspaces. While it is not an option to seal off these critical areas, there are a few tips you can follow to help discourage bugs from using them to gain access to your home.

• Air Vents and Chimneys

  Use a fine wire mesh or hardware cloth to cover vents and chimney openings. This will allow air to still pass through while helping to keep bugs out. The mesh can also help deter larger pests such as squirrels and raccoons that often bring ticks, fleas, and other insects into the home. Another option for chimneys is to use a prefabricated chimney cap rather than wire mesh.

• Crawl Spaces Under the Home

  Install wire mesh over holes and access points in crawl spaces and basements to reduce pest infestation.

5. Inspect Your Home’s Exterior

Remove tree branches that hang over your home’s roof or gutters. Ensure that shrubs or perennials do not touch your house, garage, or porch, as this can provide access to insects and critters like raccoons, mice, or squirrels. Check every utility line connected to your home because insects use them as bridges to get inside. Caulk any openings around the entry point for utility lines and inspect these areas regularly to ensure the sealing material is intact and undamaged.

The best way to keep your home free of bugs and other pests is to do regular home maintenance. Contact Worthy Home Inspection to schedule a professional home inspection that also includes structural pest inspection at no additional cost.

Also Read: 6 Reasons to Insulate Your Home for Winter