Spiders, beetles, and ants, oh my!
Summer bugs getting you down? Feel like your home always attracts pests?
Then, you need to know how to keep bugs out of the house in summer. Summer bugs are a common pest for homeowners. They seem to get in with no trace as to how.
Bugs aren’t just an annoyance, but they can also make our homes feel dirty. Especially, when we have to continuously clean up their remains and leave traps around the house.
For those of you terrified of bugs, we understand your pain. Many people despise bugs and hate the thought of being near them. In the summer, we hope we’ll find relief when we step inside, only to find that they’ve found a way in.
You might also not be a fan of using chemicals to rid your home of bugs. If you have small children or pets in your home, these chemicals can be particularly unsafe.
So, you may be wondering if there’s another way to rid your home of these pesky pests. Read on to find out how to keep bugs out of the house in summer so you can return to enjoying your home.
A Guide on How to Keep Bugs Out of the House in Summer
Summer bugs aren’t just unsightly, some also come with some health concerns. Some bugs carry diseases, sting, or bite. For people allergic to insect bites and stings, these summer bugs can be particularly troublesome.
The bugs you need to be most aware of depend on the area you live in. Southern states have different bugs to worry about than Northern states, for example. It’s always a good idea to thoroughly research the bug populations in your area to get specific advice on how to deal with them and protect yourself.
You can also speak with a pest control company to learn how to react in case you encounter a dangerous bug.
For example, if you come into contact with an aggressive swarm of bees, it’s a good idea to continue running and protect your eyes. Jumping into a pool also won’t do the trick, so it’s best to seek shelter as soon as possible. You should also not swat at the bees as this might make them even more aggressive.
To protect yourself from dangerous bugs and simply annoying ones, prevention and safety are key. Explore the following guide which details how to keep bugs out of the house in the summer to learn how to stay safe and unbothered.
1. Brown Sugar Traps
Mosquitos are by far one of the peskiest, most troublesome, and potentially dangerous bugs we deal with in the summer. Getting bit by a mosquito causes swelling, itchiness, and redness. In some cases, mosquitoes can also carry disease which could be fatal.
Deter mosquitoes and attract them to one location by using a brown sugar mixture. Find a tall glass jar or cut a two-liter pop bottle in half. Using the bottom half of the two-liter bottle or glass jar, place 1/4 of a cup of brown sugar inside. Then mix in one teaspoon of yeast and one cup of hot water.
Allow it to cool and then place it around or in your home.
2. DIY Fly Traps
There’s nothing grosser than seeing flies in your home. Especially, in your kitchen, while you’re cooking dinner. Sometimes these flies seem to multiply which makes them feel like a never-ending problem.
Stop these flies in their tracks by creating a DIY fly trap. These fly traps are completely natural and include ingredients available in your pantry.
To start, you should know that flies love sweet, sugary substances. They are attracted to fruits, processed sugars, and last night’s birthday cake. Lucky for you, creating a flytrap doesn’t need to be a messy affair.
To start, you’ll need a glass, a piece of paper, and some honey. In the bottom of the glass, place one half to a one-centimeter layer of honey. Then, roll the paper into a funnel.
You can tape or staple the funnel on the ends so that it retains its shape. Place the funnel into the glass with the honey and watch the flies come to chow down. When the flies go down the funnel and come into contact with the honey, they’ll become trapped.
3. Amp Up Your Cleaning Routine
Ants love a home that leaves behind leftovers for them. These leftovers don’t even need to be full meals; ants are completely satisfied with crumbs. And, when one ant finds some food, they leave a trail for others to follow.
To avoid an ant infestation in the summer, it’s vital to amp up your cleaning routine. Make sure to empty the garbage regularly, never leave out dirty dishes, and eat only at the kitchen table. By eating at the kitchen table instead of the couch, you can contain the area where the ants would be attracted.
You can also clean your home using part water and part vinegar solution. Ants despise vinegar and it will eliminate their scent trail for their friends to follow.
4. Mint
Ants and other bugs also aren’t fond of mint. Use this distaste to your advantage by planting mint around the outside of your house. You can also combine mint extract with petroleum jelly and spread the mixture around your windows and doors.
This will naturally deter ants from wanting to come in your home. Having mint in the garden will also let ants know that this house isn’t a tasty treasure trove.
5. Home Assessment
Make sure to check all your windows and doors for cracks. Check that the screens and windows are tightly installed with no tears or holes.
If you do find cracks in your windows or doors, fill them as soon as possible. You should also check your home’s exterior and foundation for any areas where bugs could crawl in.
6. Build a Birdhouse
Who are insects’ natural enemy? Bring on the birds!
Science determined that birds eat 550 million tons of bugs each year. This means that you can attract these birds to your home so they can take care of some of your bug problems for you.
Encourage bug-eating birds to stick around by creating a birdhouse. Bird species that eat bugs include sparrows, bluebirds, and wrens. Purchase birdhouses made for each type of bug-eating bird in your area to lessen the number of bugs near your home.
7. Use Special Soil
A special soil is on the market which actually repels bugs. This soil mixture known as diatomaceous earth is sold online and in gardening shops. It contains tiny slivers sea shells which cut bugs as they scurry through it.
If you want to purchase some of this soil or other diatomaceous earth bug repellent products, head on over to www.diatomaceousearth.com
8. Remove Excess Water
Bugs particularly love wet, damp places. For this reason, you’ll need to keep your home as dry as possible. Fix any leaks under the sink, in your kitchen, or in the basement.
Wherever you find a water leak in your home, seal it up so the water can no longer collect there. You may also want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier for damp places such as your basement.
Unclog the gutters around your home as well to prevent insects from gathering nearby.
9. Gnat Traps
Gnats are a small bug that seems to get into everything. Somehow these ting bugs enter into our homes and seem to multiply. They especially love to crowd around lights, food, and water sources.
While it’s difficult to keep gnats out entirely, there is a way to rid yourself of them once they enter your home. To do this, you’ll need to create gnat traps.
To create a gnat trap, start with a glass jar. Then place about 1/2 a cup to 3/4 of a cup of apple cider vinegar into the glass jar. After that, place 4 to eight drops of dish soap into the jar.
Grab some plastic wrap and place it on the top of the jar covering it completely. Use a rubber band or string to secure the plastic covering fully. Once secured, poke 6 to 12 holes in the plastic covering using a toothpick.
The gnats will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar, but won’t be able to free themselves because of the dish soap. You may also want to consider placing these traps right outside your doors to deter them from coming into your home when you open and shut the door.
How to Keep Bugs Out of the House in Summer
Knowing how to keep bugs out of the house in summer is an essential skill to learn. Knowing how to do this can keep your family safe and your home pest free.
Make sure to always research dangerous bugs in your area. You should also not approach a bug that may be dangerous. If you don’t know what an insect is, it’s also a good idea to stay away until you know more.
Pest control companies are always available to help with insect problems. Speak with a pest control company to learn more about their procedures and how to protect yourself from specific bugs in your area. You can also ask them if they have any natural treatments that will eliminate the bugs in your home or keep them away entirely.
Want to learn more about insects? Check out our blog post to learn more.
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