No matter how clean you keep your house, bugs are still a reality. They find their way in through windows, doors and sometimes are even brought inside in bags or on your person.
There are a variety of house bugs that can invade your space, but there are also things you can do to eliminate small bugs in your home.
How to Banish House Bugs and Evict Them for Good
Let’s look at some easy and common fixes to help keep your home free of pests.
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Home Remedies for House Bugs
There are several non-toxic ways to eliminate insects from your home. With just a few items you probably already have around the house, you can start today!
It can often seem that fruit flies appear out of thin air. In fact, many times they are brought in as eggs on fresh fruits and vegetables and hatch inside your home. To kill fruit flies, mix a small amount of dish soap with apple cider vinegar and put in a small bowl covered in plastic wrap.
Poke a few small holes in the plastic and just set out on the counter. The fruit flies will find their way in and die. Some experts also suggest putting out a small bowl of white wine. The wine draws them in, but they can’t get back out.
Spiders are known to dislike strong odors. You can make a solution of half vinegar and half water and spray in the corners and around the openings of your home to keep them away. A mixture with peppermint oil also works well. This is also a great deterrent for ants.
There is a home remedy for flies involving keeping small plastic bags of water hanging at the entrances to your home. There is something about the water in the plastic that creates an optical illusion for the fly and they go to great lengths to avoid it.
Flypaper is a great way to trap flies, and you can make your own with corn syrup, sugar, paper, and thread. You can also make a homemade fly trap.
How Storage Containers Help
As the saying goes, sometimes the best defense is a good offense. By eliminating the source that draws them in, you will end up with fewer pests to have to contend with.
One of the best ways to avoid attracting insects is to put all of your dry goods in sturdy containers with high quality sealed lids. This cuts down on the smell that draws them and also they cannot penetrate the containers.
Trash cans are another great magnet for bugs. Make sure your trash cans have a good seal and keep them closed. Empty them to outside containers on a regular basis and never leave food out.
Gnats are also drawn to a water source. Limit open containers of water and be mindful of open areas with moist or wet contents. It can be helpful to empty pet water dishes at night and refill them again in the morning.
Why Outside Your Home is a Problem
Few pests just show up inside your home. Many of them find their way in from the outside. Making a few small changes can greatly reduce the number of bugs that get inside.
Many insects get into your home through cracks in the foundation and around window and door frames. Seal any openings that you can find. This also includes holes in screens and exhaust fans or dryer vents.
Also, some bugs are attracted to wood and compost on the outside of your home. Keep all organic material like leaves and compost away from the side of your home and you will decrease the chances of them even getting inside.
Let’s Talk About Mice
Not all pests inside your home are insects. Mice can become a big problem in a short amount of time. One female mouse can have between 5 – 10 litters each year. The biggest draw for mice in a home is food, and it is not just cheese. Mice will feast on any type of food they have access to. They are omnivorous and will eat almost anything.
They are not picky either. They love to snoop around in the garage when food is thrown away. Under tables and couch cushions are also a good place for them to hunt as crumbs work just as well for them.
Pregnant mice love the shelter and protection that a home brings. If there is a place in your home where a mouse could burrow in or behind and not be seen, they will come and go to find food and set up residence in your residence just waiting for little mouse babies.
How to Handle a Mouse Problem
The best advice is to avoid having a mouse problem at all! This actually starts outside of your home.
Mice love to burrow in leaves and underbrush. Make sure to keep a tidy landscape and avoid a build-up of leaves, especially close to the side of your home.
When they are ready to come in, they only need a small opening the size of their head. Mice can slip in through cracks in the weatherstripping, window frames, foundation, or even the roof. Yes, they are great climbers, so getting to the roof is no problem.
Inside your home, look for ways to lessen the attraction. Keep food in airtight containers, even your pet’s food. Clean floors and countertops of any leftover crumbs and regularly check under appliances and furniture for food remnants.
If despite, your best efforts, you still end up with a mice problem, it may be time to check out companies that specialize in pests control.
Uninvited Guests
Most people enjoy having guests in their home, but not of the insect or rodent variety.
House bugs are an aggravation and sometimes even a health risk. It is always a good idea to keep an eye out for situations that attract insects and work to keep your home free of them.
For the occasional invader, try these natural DIY repellents for your home.
