Bugs can be a real bother no matter where you are in the country. Warm weather always brings ants, flies, and other small bugs into your home. While it’s nearly impossible to keep all bugs out of your home, you can do many things to prevent the worst of it. One thing you can do to stop the bugs from coming in is learning how to bug-proof your home’s windows, doors, and other small entrances. Continue reading for our tips on stopping their entry.
Home Inspections
First, conduct regular home inspections to determine what may cause a bug issue. One of the easiest ways for bugs to get into a home is through leaks and holes. These small cracks can be easy access for insects and cause constant problems. Inspect your home for these holes, paying specific attention to the doors and windows.
Seal the Windows and Doors
As the windows and doors are a common access point for insects, you should take the time to check the sealant. Sealants plug up the holes that allow insects and other critters entry into your home. If you discover that your sealant is wearing thin, you can always replace it by applying a new coating.
Fix Any Damage
No matter how small the hole or crack looks, it can let in bugs if it leads to the outside. Do your best to identify any holes that may give access to your home and patch them. You may wish to hire a professional drywall repair service if you frequently fix these damaged areas.
Protection for Doors and Windows
Your home’s doors and windows are the easiest access points for bugs. This section will cover some of the best ways you can protect your doors and windows and prevent bugs from entering your home.
Screen Doors and Windows
Installing a mesh screen is one of the best improvements you can make to your doors and windows. A mesh screen adds a layer of protection against bugs and debris, making it safer to use your doors and windows. The mesh window screen may be a standard square, but you can get decorative with your mesh door screen install. A bonus is both installations are easy and affordable.
Door Sweeps
Unless you invest in doors with flush frames—where there is no space between the door and the floor—standard doors almost always have a space for bugs to creep in. That’s where door sweeps come in, as you can easily attach them to the bottom of your door to fill the gap. Door sweeps are also great for keeping dirt out of your house.
Check for Leaks
Windows are a very common place for leaks as they’re one of the weakest parts of a home. It’s easy for daily wear and tear to break down the window’s frame, causing a leak. This wear and tear can also cause a decrease in the energy efficiency of your home. Try to patch any leaks quickly to keep your home’s energy efficiency high and prevent bugs from getting in.
Invest in Stronger Windows
Because windows are one of the easier places for bugs to sneak into your home, investing in stronger windows is a good idea. Good frames, capable of withstanding more wear will help keep insects out. Consider investing in impact windows, if your budget allows, as they can withstand a lot more force during hurricane season (when bugs are more rampant).
Weatherproof Your Doors
Bugs will find their way into your home, whether it’s due to your exterior doors’ design or because of wear and tear after a big storm. That’s why hiring door replacement services to replace your doors with weatherproof options can help keep pests outside. If water can’t pass through your doors, then neither can insects.
Roof Care
One of the parts of the home that many forget about is the roof, which is a prime entrance for insects. A sturdy, well-insulated roof will keep out bugs, but weather damage and time will cause leaks and deterioration. These impairments let bugs and water in, leading to all sorts of issues. Hire a professional roofing team to conduct quarterly roof inspections and checks after every big storm.
Ways To Keep Bugs Out of Your House
While bug-proofing your windows and doors does help to keep out bugs, there are other things you can do to stop insects. Bugs will actively seek out places that fit their needs, which is why you need to do what you can to make your home unattractive to them.
Clean Up After Eating
Food is the biggest temptation to insects, and they’ll come from miles away to feast on any crumbs lying about or dirty dishes you leave out. Cleaning your home of any food messes after you finish eating will stop bugs from entering your home. Additionally, consider pouring boiling water down your kitchen sink to flush the drain of any excess food particles.
Seal Your Containers
When storing your food, it’s important that you keep it in sealed containers to prevent drawing in bugs. Store your perishable items in the refrigerator and invest in quality containers for those items with long shelf lives. The type of storage solution you get is up to you; just ensure the seals are airtight.
Restore Water Damage
Water is a key resource for bugs, and any moist climate is a perfect breeding ground for them. Clean up any place with standing water and fix water damage as soon as possible to prevent bugs from settling in the area. Restoring areas with water damage should be a part of your regular home inspections every month or two to ensure your home is in the best shape possible.
Keeping insects out of your home is good for your physical and mental health, and it starts with preventing their access. The trick is keeping the first bugs from entering your home, as they’ll quickly multiply once they find the resources they need and start settling in. Preventing entry and taking away their food and water sources will keep your home relatively bug-free. Contact our team today for more tips and tricks!
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