A Guide to Bug-proofing Your Home

Seeing a large roach crawl across the floor in our own home can be such a disturbing experience that it sends us racing for the phone to call the Orkin man, but while having your home professionally treated can definitely help an insect problem, it can also be costly and somewhat invasive. There are ways that home owners and renters can fight pests on their own with just a few tactical measures.

Keep rocks, loose boards, and any other types of debris away from the foundation. Anything that provides a shadow affords insects a place to hideout. Scorpions, spiders, centipedes and ants are especially prone to hiding in darkened spaces. Also, get rid of any dead wood that is in your yard, including tree stumps. Dead wood attracts termites, and which will likely migrate to your house.

Keep trees and bushes well-trimmed and don't let them touch your house. Leaves and branches that touch the outside walls of your home give insects a path to walk straight inside. In an apartment, it can be hard to prevent this.

If you don't need to, don't use your outdoor lights. They may be for safety, but they attract insects like crazy. Motion lights that turn on when you pass in front of them are a great option. If you are away from home, they will come on when you pull in the driveway and have little chance to attract flying and crawling things before you get inside.

If you are picking wildflowers, carefully check them for insects before bringing them inside. This goes for any item you pick up from the yard or porch. Bugs are often hiding out in anything that has been outside for a long period of time.

Keep screens in good working condition, with no holes or tears. Ensure that doors and windows are all properly and tightly fitted. Fill any crevices in the foundation with caulking or another similar material. If there are holes, gaps or openings, small insects will find their way inside.

To prevent Oriental cockroaches from getting in through drains, cover them at night. To further aid in keeping out cockroaches, treat drains with bleach a few times a week. One capful will do the trick.

To get rid of spiders and paper wasps, destroy the construction of their homes. Knocking down a nest or web will send wasps and spiders on their way. These smart insects are unlikely to rebuild where their habitats are continually destroyed.

It's nearly impossible to bug-proof completely, but just a few simple steps will help keep some insects out of your home.