Not a fan of bugs or insects? So is most of the American population. Unfortunately, no matter how clean you keep your home, bugs will always find their way inside. Ruining our peace and quiet, these little creepy-crawlies have a nasty tendency of showing up when you least want them to. From the common house ant to houseflies and spiders, we've got 10 tips for you on how to get rid of them, or at least, keep their numbers small.
1. Ants
One of the most common house bugs you'll find is ants. These pesky, annoying little insects can swarm your house in numbers a lot higher than you'd hope for. Because they're so tiny, they can creep into your house through the smallest cracks. Better make sure you don't have any food lying around so you don't attract them.
2. Cockroaches
Not only are cockroaches unbelievably resilient (have you ever tried to get rid of one?!), they look terrifying too. These nasty bugs are every homeowner's worst nightmare; we'd argue having a cockroach infestation is one of the worst you can have. And because they're nocturnal, you might be in for an unwanted surprise in the middle of the night.
3. Houseflies
When summer comes around, it's like all the houseflies suddenly awake and head straight to your house. We know that's an exaggeration, but it sure feels that way, doesn't it? With their speedy little bodies, these flies sure are difficult to get rid of.
4. Spiders
Spiders are one of the most common fears people have, and it's for a good reason. While they tend to be harmless and can even lower the overall bug population for you, we just can't get over how absolutely gross and scary they look. With their eight creepy crawly legs, seeing one will always send a shiver up your spine. Why couldn't they just look like butterflies?
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5. Silverfish
If you've never seen a silverfish before, consider yourself lucky. These small, long-bodied, wingless insects are hard to get rid of once they come around. Gravitating towards damp, dark, and musty areas, silverfish tend to thrive in basements or bathrooms. Climbing every which way, these little insects are a major annoyance to any homeowner.
6. Bed Bugs
While we usually treat our beds as a safe haven where we can rest and relax, the intrusion of bed bugs sure ruin that real quick. The worst part is, these bugs bite! Leaving behind itchy and red marks, these nasty little things hide in all the little crevices we don't pay attention to. If you happen to have an infestation, it's time to call the professionals.
7. Fleas
Got pets in your house? If you do, you're probably familiar with fleas. These tiny, jumping insects are the bane of every pet owner's existence. Making your pets uncomfortable, which in turn makes you miserable, fleas are a much hated insect that we would never wish on our worst enemies.
8. Fruit Flies
While fruit flies aren't the worst of the bugs on this list (by a mile in our opinion), they still are incredibly annoying just flying around the kitchen. Attracted to ripe fruits and vegetables left sitting out in the open, these bugs fly around endlessly until you deal with them.
9. Moths
Moths are like the unwanted, unfavoured cousin of the butterfly. While we ooh and ahh at the beauty of butterflies, the sight of moths make us sigh in frustration. Flapping their wings around endlessly, usually around a bright light, we're not a fan of the dust it leaves behind when you finally catch it.
Photo by Mikkel Frimer-Rasmussen on Unsplash
10. Dust Mites
So small that we can't even notice them, dust mites are truly annoying. Feeding on our dead skin cells (gross!), these little insects can cause allergies and even asthma attacks. They tend to thrive in warmer environments, so watch out for your bed, furniture, and carpets.
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1. Keep a Clean House
It might sound like common sense, but keeping your house clean and pristine is truly the best way to counter getting house bugs. By cleaning on a regular basis, not only are you removing potential food sources for them, you're also able to get them out of their hiding spots.
2. Seal Cracks and Openings
Like we mentioned with ants, bugs will take any opportunity to creep into your house, no matter how small. If you have little cracks around windows, doors, or floorboards, seal them up right away. There's a good chance bugs are getting in through there.
3. Manage Moisture
Like silverfish, a lot of bugs are actually attracted to moisture. All that means is you've got clean up your place so they don't come in! If you've got any leaky pipes, taps, or dehumidifiers around, they're likely drawing attention to those bugs.
4. Use Proper Food Storage
As much as we don't want to compare ourselves to bugs, they're like us in the sense that they need food to survive. Chances are, they've crawled into your house because they sensed food is near! So if you want to reduce the amount of bugs you get, clean up all the crumbs and food droppings on the floor, and use good containers that properly seal away your food.
5. Dispose of Garbage Regularly
Don't keep your garbage bins full. It's not just for you and your family, it's to keep the bugs away! Little food particles or sticky residue left from spilled drinks are sure to attract bugs right over.
6. Natural Repellents
If you really can't stand the sight of bugs, consider taking action with your own hands. Interestingly, bugs often have natural repellents that they can't stand. Things like vinegar and peppermint oil might become your best friend if the bug you're trying to get rid of hates those products.
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7. Install Screens
There's nothing worse than opening your window or door and leaving it completely exposed to the outdoors. You need to get your hands on some screens! It's the best way for you to enjoy fresh air while still keeping those pesky bugs out.
8. Use Appropriate Insecticides
If you tried the natural repellents that we mentioned and find that none work, you can consider taking it up a notch and using insecticides. Make sure you do your research first to see which type best suits which bug you're trying to exterminate. And read the instructions! These products might contain harmful chemicals you want to steer clear from.
9. Maintain Outdoor Areas
Although it might not feel like it, bugs don't come from within your house, they come from the outside. So one way you can keep your bug population at a minimum is to maintain your yard or patio. Keep debris away from the house walls and get rid of any weeds or vegetation that might attract mosquitoes and other bugs.
10. Professional Pest Control
As a last resort, or sometimes first resort in more serious cases, you can always call pest control. Sometimes, it's better to leave things to the professionals. They're sure to get rid of your bug infestation in a matter of no time.
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