In all honesty, it's impossible to bug proof your home completely. Like it or not, some insects will find a way into your home. But you don't have to make it easy for them! Invest a little time in home maintenance and housekeeping, and you will greatly reduce your chances of insect infestation.
When attempting to bug proof your home, you need to do two basic things: prevent insects and spiders from getting inside, and eliminate bug habitat in your home. Your goals are to keep as many bugs out as possible, and to make your home is inhospitable to the few that find their way in.
1. Install and maintain screens on all doors and windows.
If you don't have screen doors on your home, install them. Repair or replace any torn or damaged window screens. Use fine mesh screening to prevent all but the tiniest insects from entering your home.
2. Seal around all doors.
If air and light can pass through, bugs can get in. Install tight-fitting thresholds and door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors. Use door seals to fill the gap around the sides and top of each door, too.
3. Seal cracks in your home's foundation and exterior walls.
Any crack in the exterior walls of your home is a welcome sign to insects. Grab a tube of caulk and inspect your home from top to bottom. Seal any cracks you find.
4. Seal around utility lines and appliance vents.
Insects may enter your home through tiny gaps around your dryer vent, gas line, or even telephone line. Caulk crevices on the outside of your home. You might also want to seal these areas from the inside using a spray foam product.
5. Eliminate moisture by fixing leaks.
Most insects (except for those that live in arid environments) require a certain amount of humidity to survive. Any source of moisture can attract them. Fix any plumbing leaks, however minor, promptly. Even condensation on pipes can drip and create suitable places for bugs to live.
6. Keep a tidy kitchen.
Where there's food and water, bugs will happily make themselves at home. Do all you can to keep your kitchen clean and tidy. Wipe up crumbs, sweep or vacuum the floor, and clean up spills right away. Don't leave dishes in the sink overnight. Clean out the toaster and microwave regularly. Throw away food scraps and packages.
7. Get rid of clutter.
Insects need places to hide, and a cluttered home is a bug's paradise. Recycle unneeded boxes and newspapers promptly. Keep laundry in clothes hampers. Keep your floor clear of belongings, and put things away after you use them.
8. Take the garbage out frequently.
If you can smell it (even a little), it's going to attract bugs. In fact, insects are much more sensitive to odors than we are, so even if you can't smell it, it may still attract bugs. If you're really worried about insect pests in your home, empty your garbage often.
Based on an article by Debbie Hadley
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