I hate to break it to you, but whether you like it or not, your home is a giant bug habitat. There are likely hundreds of different species living in your walls, carpeting, closets, and more.
But don’t worry, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and this doesn’t make you a disgusting person. Many of these bugs go unnoticed and won’t disturb your daily routine.
But what about those less than desirable or even potentially dangerous bugs? What do you do about them, and how can you get rid of them?
If you find yourself unable to confidently say and accept that, “there are bugs in my house,” then read on to find out how to win the battle.
I Don’t Want Bugs in My House!
You’re probably wondering what kinds of bugs you need to be on the lookout for now, right? Since most of them are unseen inhabitants, they can go unnoticed for long periods and you may not even notice that they are there until you have a MAJOR issue.
People always know to get an inspection for termites, but what about the other potential bug issues your home may have?
1. Spiders
There are only two types of spiders you need to be cautious of in the U.S., Black Widows, and Brown Recluses. These spiders’ bites can cause immense pain and other issues if left untreated.
If you want to reduce the spiders in your home, try to find all the small cracks or holes that they could enter through and seal them.
Most spiders you may see in your home are relatively harmless and can help eliminate other critters. If you don’t want them around though, consider catching them and releasing them outside.
2. Ants
If you start to see a trail of ants, it’s best to eliminate the food source, and put out traps or poison as soon as possible. They will take the poison back home and it will start to slow down traffic. If you have pets for children, consider natural alternatives instead of poison.
Once the trail disappears, keep the area clean by wiping down all surfaces, keeping food put away, sweeping and vacuuming regularly, and taking the trash out every day.
3. Weevils
These icky house bugs like to hitch a ride in on contaminated groceries. The adults like to burrow into dry rice and grains and lay their eggs. Often, you won’t even notice you have any in your home until you have an infestation in your pantry.
Once you’ve tossed out any contaminated and potentially contaminated food, wipe down all shelves and treat the area. Once the treatment has dried, wipe down the area again and then restock your food items.
4. Fruit Flies
These little, tiny bugs multiply fast, so it’s important to find the source of their attraction and get rid of it as quickly as possible.
Store soft and ripe fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator and maks sure to keep cutting boards, counters, and trash cans clear of food.
If you do have a fruit fly issue, you can try some homemade, DIY traps to collect the little nuisances.
5. Mosquitoes
Depending on where you live, these bugs can be a huge issue. They feed on the blood of humans and pets, their bites leave itchy, red welts, and they can carry diseases.
They like to lay their eggs in stagnant water, so make sure you don’t have anything that can collect water in your yard or garage.
Many natural items like essential oils can help you repel these annoying pests. If you get some inside your home, consider making some DIY traps to get rid of them.
6. Silverfish
Most of the time, you will only see dead silverfish since they are such good hiders. But, if you see a dead one, there are likely live ones as well.
The best way to get rid of them is to remove their food sources like piled up newspapers, magazines, junk mail, and cardboard boxes.
If you want to store clothing or other items, opt for plastic bins with lids that can be sealed securely.
7. Fleas and Ticks
If you have pets, talk to your veterinarian about preventative medicine, or purchase some from your local pet store.
Make sure you keep your pets treated regularly and consider spraying your home to avoid infestation.
While your biggest concern with fleas is an infestation, you need to be careful with ticks as they are difficult to remove correctly.
8. Bed Bugs
Despite the name, these small house bugs like to hide in more than just your bed. They will hide in luggage, baseboards, attics, furniture, picture frames, and more.
Learn about bed bugs and the best way to get rid of them before trying to fix the problem yourself to avoid making matters worse.
9. Cockroaches
Head them off by putting traps under sinks, alongside your fridge, behind the toilet and any other damp, dark places they could hide. Make sure all food packaging is sealed and put away, and trash should be taken out daily.
As an extra step, put all pet food away before bed so the roaches don’t move on to this once the human food is gone.
10. Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
If you see a nest growing rapidly or if you see these winged guys crawling through cracks and holes in your home, this could mean you have an infestation.
You can try to a spray designed to kill them on contact and then knock down and destroy the nest. Or, you can call an exterminator if you’re concerned about a nest that is large and active.
Now What?
Chances are, you won’t see most of the creepy crawlies living in your home, but if you do it’s important to act swiftly to avoid bigger issues.
If you try a home remedy that doesn’t work, or if you aren’t ready to confidently say, “there are bugs in my house”, reach out to your local pest control specialists.
Do your best to keep your home sealed off from intruders and know that they are probably more scared of you than you are of them!
