Summer is all about having fun under the sun and enjoying the pleasant weather. Unfortunately, the warmer temperatures also invite some nasty guests—bugs. Bugs are cold-blooded animals, so they’re more active in the warmer months when they don’t need to do much to warm up. You can keep these pesky pests away from your home with these practical and effective bug-proofing tips.
Have your garden professionally landscaped
Maintaining your grass and integrating effective landscaping strategies is a great way to prevent insects from swarming your home. Having your grass maintained by residential lawn mowers eliminates shady and damp areas where insects hide and breed. On the other hand, professional landscaping ensures that your grass and plants are healthy enough to use its natural biological defenses against pests.
Seal gaps and cracks
Inspect your home thoroughly for any gaps and cracks where pests can come through. This includes small gaps or holes on windows or doors. When you spot one, fill it in with a sealing caulk. Don’t forget to have any broken window screens, screen mesh, or mosquito nets repaired as well.
Use natural pest repellents
Organic pest repellents that use natural ingredients work just as well as chemical ones but aren’t nearly as harmful to your health and the health of surrounding plants and animals. Here are some natural pest repellents you can make use of:
Citrus Peels: The fresh, zesty scent of citrus fruits smell great to us, but they’re toxic to bugs. Limonene can suffocate insects on contact, which is what makes it an excellent method of natural pest control. It can keep away ants, mosquitoes, roaches, and spiders. All you need to do is rub the citrus peels on just about any surface where insects congregate, such as tables, windows, and doorways.
Cinnamon: Pure ground cinnamon and cinnamon oil can kill mosquito larvae and keep both mosquitoes and ants away. Sprinkle some over counters, floors, and other surfaces to keep them at bay. Not only is this a great natural insect repellent, but it’s also a natural air freshener that will make your home smell lovely.
Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent against spiders and rats. Just like cinnamon, it does double duty by repelling pests while also leaving a pleasant fresh scent around your house.
Properly throw away your trash
Household litter is a goldmine for pests such as rats, ants, and cockroaches. That’s regardless of whether the garbage is inside your house or out in the yard. Ensure that these pests can’t get into your garbage cans by fitting them with tight lids. Don’t forget to take out your trash regularly and avoid letting it sit in your house for too long.
Properly store food
Food that you leave out in your kitchen or pantry is a homing beacon for pests. They’ll likely scout it out using their excellent sense of smell and swarm it as soon as they find it. Make sure you keep your food in tightly-sealed containers that can’t easily be opened. Do regular inventory checks to make sure you don’t have any spoiled food lying around and get rid of any as soon as you spot them.
Don’t let pests get in the way of your summer fun. Use these bug-proofing tips to keep them away throughout warmer months.
