How to Bug-Proof Your Home?

Written by: Sumita Roy

Most of us are either frightened of bugs or simply fascinated by them. But one thing that does not change, whether you like them or not, is that they do not belong within your house. Their intrusion can cause you a range of problems- from simple irritation to as much as spreading of harmful germs and diseases. Whether it is an itchy bite of the mosquito, constant buzzing of bees or painful stings of scorpions, none of these are welcome in your safe haven.

The knowledge that even as common insect as a cockroach can cause allergies or asthma attacks, especially to children of the household. This knowledge further adds on to our distaste for which we intend to get rid of bugs. But the problem with this job is that they find more than thousand ways to creep into your household, without you noticing them. 

Sometimes cleaning them out feels like a lost battle when you bug free your home after doing a deep clean and again within a matter of few days they again reappear.

However, by understanding the source of their attraction and eliminating them from your household can help you to keep them off. Like humans, insects need food and comfy shelter to survive. Infestation is the best way to ward off their existence, but there are other options as well that can help you to restrict their entry, entirely, making your home bug free.

1. Door sealing

You would be surprised to know that your visitors and family members are not the only ones who use doors to enter your household. Bugs and vermin also use the same to gain entry. 

If you look carefully you would be surprised to discover numerous easy entrances and paths formed trough unsealed gaps in your doors. To ward off their entry through the door you need to seal these gaps.

And to keep insects from crawling under the door shutter, you can install sturdy steel/ aluminum threshold under the door. For better protection install a door sweep along with it. You can opt for vinyl or neoprene brush sweeps. These provide best protection against bugs' entry.

Caulking the door frames is another important way to close or seal their entry way. Also remember, none of these techniques will help you if the doors remain open. Install a door closer with adjusted closing time for automatic closing of doors.

2. Add screens

Many people prefer natural ventilation through doors and windows during hot and humid weather conditions. But you should know that it is not just you who like the idea of keeping your doors and windows open. The vermin like it too! They can invade your household through this direct entry way.

In order to gain access to natural breeze without letting the insects sneak in, you need to put up screens in doors and windows. Choose finer mesh possible to keep out of most common household pests. It is all the more attractive option because installing screens is a very simple and easy task.

Also keep in mind insects can find a way through holes in existing screens as well. Therefore, if you are doing the installation on your own, try not to create any holes in it. Use screwdrivers to push broken wires. If these tend to come out loose along one or more sides, then use staples (for wooden frames) and splining tools(in case of aluminum frames) to reattach these.

3. Yard maintenance

Mosquitoes thrive in pooled water. If you have a yard that has stagnant water, then it can start providing apt atmosphere to mosquitoes to breed.

By eliminating water pooling in your yard, you will discourage breeding of bugs trying to enter your household. Another problem arising from having a yard is- it can block your drainage system. With twigs, leaves and grass falling off on the channels, these can get clogged and provide apt atmosphere for pest proliferation.

Aerating the lawn is a good idea. By aerating, I mean, allow water to naturally get absorbed into the soil. Proper sloping is another feature that can help you with good drainage.

Having swimming pool is a luxury feature that many people want to have, but a few have the scope to own one. But this can prove to be a bane if you cannot maintain it properly and end up having a dirty pool with only insects and pest swimming on it. However, maintaining it is not a very difficult job, but may be a bit tedious, if your pool is large. 

When not in use, keep your pool chlorinated and filtered regularly. And change the water in your fountains twice every week. This will keep mosquitoes from hatching eggs.

While taking care of your yard, check whether piles of leaves are blocking the drainage system or not. If they do, clean them off with a nudge of a broomstick. 

4. Crack repairing

Bugs come in variety of sizes and shapes, as a result keeping any kind of hole or crack in your house makes it an easy way for vermin to introduce themselves. As a result, sealing the cracks present in the exterior of the home is an essential way to resist insect intrusion. 

You can start with this job by conducting a thorough inspection of your house. Cracks in foundation, rotted wood and crumbling bricks make you home very vulnerable to insect attack. You will have to seal these points by using cement/ mortar. For a rotted wood you cannot do anything other than changing the wood. 

Caulking your house is a very good way to seal minor holes, or very small cracks. Caulking is usually done on window frames, where ever holes are created. Caulks are very cost effective as well. Caulking also helps to keep your home weather proofed.

5. Sealing around pipe penetrations

Insects, especially the flying ones, can easily gain entry through the holes drilled on your walls done with the purpose to install cable lines, phone wiring and internet services. 

Sealing these open entrances is a way in which you can ward off insect entry. In the picture given along side you get an idea on sealing of these holes.

However, this is for smaller cracks and holes. For larger drain pipes located either in ground level or the roof line you need to use expandable polyurethane foam. Certain installers prefer copper mesh or steel wool as the base layer, behind this foam. These deter insects that crawl their way through the holes.

6. Do not provide them supper

Bugs always find a way to enter a household even if you try to protect your interiors from them. Therefore, eliminate things that truly attract them- their food and cozy accommodation.

Remove clutters, unprotected food and water sources. A cluttered home promotes insect breeding. Disorganized cupboards and piles of papers are their favorite spot. Also storing food in air tight containers and storing unsealed food products can help you to ward of insect attack.

Disposing the wastes in your dustbin, everyday, is another idea that will help you to keep your home safe. While the garbage is still home, keep them stored properly in a corner. Shut the lid of the compost bin post usage so that insects cannot enter it.

7. Keep the foundations clear

The foundation is the closest point of contact of your house. Bugs try to find easy entry ways through flooring. This is mostly applicable for those saying in ground floor apartments or independent house.

By keeping the foundations clean you can protect your household. Termites, fleas, spiders breed nicely in wet areas. By keeping moisture away from the foundations you will prevent insect intrusion breeding.As said earlier, if you find any discrepancies like holes, caulk them fast.

Many people apply chemical insecticides to keep pests and vermin away. But these can cause problems, especially if you have children running around the household. For a more natural solution, you can use boric acid or diatomaceous Earth at the base.

8. Encourage natural predators

Relying on natural predators is one of the best options to keep your house bug-proof. Warblers and swallows are potent mosquito killers. Bats eat a large variety of vermin like scorpions, mosquitoes, spiders, and wasps. 

To encourage this type of natural cleaning you can plant trees in which they can create nests and supply water resource as well. The food they will provide themselves by keeping your house free of insects.

Therefore, through effective planning you can get rid of bugs for quite a period of time. Inspection of your household is the initial step towards bug-proofing your home. If you do not know the weak points in your home, how will you mend them? After this first step, a steady cleaning and repairing of holes will provide you a comparatively less threatened interior.