How to Keep Bugs Out of The House in Summer

Are you looking to learn about how to keep bugs out of the house in summer? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we talk about a few ways to make your home bug-proof for the summer.

Did you know, worldwide, there are approximately 10 quintillion insects? That counts for a billion bugs per person in the world! While bugs are all around throughout the year, they are more bothersome during spring and summer when they emerge from hibernating. At this time, they forage for food, water, and a mate.

While bugs and insects make up the ecosystem, you likely don’t want to share your home with them. Not only are they irritating, but many are unsanitary and do crawl, walk, slitter, or fly around with diseases. The National Pest Management Association strongly advises that you pest-proof your house every year or as frequently as needed.

How to Keep Bugs of the House in Summer

Most homeowners do not really know how to keep bugs out of the house in summer, which is why this article will be of immense help in creating a bug-free zone. This brief list of to-dos will help you enjoy the warm weather without being overly concerned about bugs and insects.

Screen All Openings

Flyscreens and meshes are unquestionably the most helpful tools for keeping bugs out of your home. While these resources keep bugs out, they provide proper ventilation, which is of utmost importance in the heat of summer.

Fixed, retractable, or magnetic fly screens; there are so many options available for modern, as well as classic homes. The latter being the most popular one. If you are looking for a fly screen for a hinged or sliding door, then a fixed screen would be a better choice.

For doors that open on to your patio or any outdoor space, retractable screens are most suitable due to the convenience they offer.

Remember that fly screens do require regular cleaning to prevent dust from blocking the airways. To do that, scrub it with warm soapy water and rinse it thoroughly twice a year.

Seal the Base of All Exterior Entry Doors

If you have already installed fly screens but bugs are constantly finding their way inside your home, maybe there are still some gaps at the base of the doors. The best way to figure out those missed parts is to look for areas where light is penetrating inside your home. Then, fill in those gaps with silicone caulk or steel wool. Try not to use vinyl, as certain heat temperatures can affect its efficacy.

Door thresholds, weatherstripping, sheet metal flashing, and door sweeps are some other components you would need to seal the gaps adequately to ensure bugs remain outside. If you have a sliding door, seal it with foam weather stripping.

Seal All Utility Openings

Now that we have sealed the areas below the windows and doors, it’s time for us to deal with the other small openings that lead summer bugs indoors, such as chimney openings, roof shingles, entry spots of pipes, gas meters, laundry openings, etc.

The gap may be very minute for you, but the larvae of insects can easily pass through them. Thankfully, such holes can be easily sealed using an appropriate sealant such as caulk. Bigger gaps can be sealed using steel wool.

Did you know that using citronella-scented candles can ward off some flying insects such as mosquitoes and biting midges? This article speaks about how you can keep flying insects at bay with citronella candles.

Hate Chemicals? Make Your Insecticide

Well, no one wants to use harmful chemicals in their own home all the time, especially when you have babies, pets, elderly people, and persons with allergies or sensitivities.

But, if you are wondering how to keep bugs out of the house in summer, using an insecticide is almost indispensable. Thankfully, you can make your own.

Make a solution of 50% water and 50% witch-hazel and add 30 to 50 drops of peppermint oil to it. (Other essential oils that can be combined include lemon-scented eucalyptus and citronella.) Mix well and spray all-around your house (inside as well as outside) to keep bugs out of the house in summer.

If you have pets, especially cats, caution should be taken. Some essential oils are toxic to pets.

Create an Inhospitable Environment for Insects

If you want to get rid of summer bugs, you must make sure your home is not a bug buffet. Make your home inhospitable to summer insects by safely storing the leftover foods in the refrigerator or airtight containers.

Avoid keeping fresh fruits on the table as they can attract fruit flies and other bugs. Also, make sure pet bowls are always clean and fresh.

As we all know, stagnant water is the primary breeding ground for mosquitoes and no see ums, two of the most notorious summer bugs. If you have stagnant water inside or outside your house, no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to keep mosquitoes and biting midges at bay.

Leaky pipes in the bathroom or beneath the sink are often overlooked. Get them fixed as soon as possible and dehumidify areas like attics and basements, which are usually damp, as this could attract booklice.

Also, deal with any outdoor objects such as logs or old tires, etc., that can retain water. Even small holes in the ground can have enough water for biting midges to breed.

Deal with Specific Summer Bugs as Needed

The suggestions mentioned in this article will work for some of the most notorious bugs such as mosquitoes, no see ums, house flies, crickets, bees, wasps, beetles, etc. but some other summer pests such as ants and cockroaches will still find their way into your home.

Here is how you can deal with them:

• Ants cannot withstand specific smells such as the smell of vinegar. So, if you are suffering from an ant infestation, disinfect the cupboards and wardrobes using vinegar and water solution.
• If you can see ant trails, sprinkle black pepper powder, cinnamon powder, or turmeric powder on them.
• Cockroaches are notorious summer bugs that invade the house as soon as the weather warms up. Thankfully, many DIY cockroach killers are available to help you get rid of them easily. But, if you have kids and pets, you should seek professional help instead of using harsh chemicals, especially if the infestation is horrible.
• Never dump leftover food or food packets in an open bin, as they can serve as breeding grounds for bugs, as well as bacteria.
• If you use a compost bin, you must pest-proof it, too. For this, you should bury all the waste food at the center of the pile instead of the sides. When you bury them at the side, their smell attracts bugs and pests.

Although the above-mentioned methods are enough and effective, sometimes summer bugs can still find a way into your house through your pets and through other means.

Thankfully, a mild infestation can be ignored but, if you are bothered by pests, and you don’t want to share your house with them (like cockroaches and mice), ensure to check the blog to see if we’ve covered a problem you’re facing.

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