Anyone who lives in Florida knows you also have to live with pests. By some estimates, Florida has at least 12,500 insect species, from Palmetto bugs and mosquitoes to spiders and fire ants.
There’s no way to get rid of all the creepy crawlies. However, if you want to know how to keep bugs out of your house, we have 5 tips.
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Why You Want to Know How to Keep Bugs Out of Your House
Keeping bugs out of your home is really about keeping disease out. Many insects can spread bacteria, diseases, and dangerous viruses. Protecting your family means shutting the doors (and windows) on pests of all sorts.
Tip #1: Cut off the Entryways
Most pests come in looking for a drink and a meal. If you want to get rid of bugs, your best defense is eliminating all the ways they can get in. This means sealing gaps around the doors/windows, fixing window screens, and screens around your patio.
Tip #2: Clean up and Seal Up
Remember, bugs enter your home looking for a snack. So don’t leave them lying around. Make sure to keep your kitchen clean, as well as any places where you eat such as the breakfast room or dining room.
Different bugs have different tastes. Some love sugar, flour, cereal, and rice. Others go for dried fruit, pasta, and nuts. Keep all of these items in sealed containers, especially once they’ve been opened. Plastic containers and sealable baggies work well.
Tip #3: Dry Off
Bugs need water and they will go anywhere to find it. From sinks and showers to the dishwasher and drains, your house is a gold mine of water sources. Eliminate these sources of water.
That means fixing leaky faucets, drains, and pipes. Also be sure to inspect your washing machine, air conditioner, and dryer to make sure they aren’t leaking.
Tip #4: Clear Outdoor Debris
Debris such as chopped wood, trash, and yard cuttings are basically like waving a red cape at a bull. Get rid of these piles. If you need to stack debris for collection or until you haul it away, place the pile as far away from your house as possible
Also make sure you get rid of standing water in buckets, flowerpots, and holes in the driveway/yard. Water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and you do not want to invite those pests to your next pool party.
Tip #5: Call a Pest Control Service
You don’t have to wait until you see pests to act. It’s essential to have set up a pest control service. A professional exterminator can treat your house and yard to keep insects and rodents out. This way you won’t wind up with an infestation that can be harder to eliminate.
If you do have a “crisis”, such as signs of termites or a new infestation, call an exterminator right away.
Keep Your Home Pest-Free
If you want to know how to keep bugs out of your house, follow these simple tips, including finding a reliable pest control service.
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