Insects are not bad, per se. Some of them have a role to play in the ecosystem, such as spiders. There are, however, some species that are harmful and irritating. Those include mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, and house flies. They are not welcome in the house. A lot of people find themselves dealing with bug problems only when the infestation has happened. But how do we keep them out to avoid this in the first place?
Here are some helpful techniques to keep the bugs out and to make your home safe from diseases from unwelcome insects.
Be vigilant in monitoring insect manifestations in the house. Consider as a red flag a cockroach slithering across the floor. Remember, insects don't come out of thin air. They come from somewhere, usually an area of infestation from a specific part of the house. Cockroaches thrive on a damp and dirty hole, and termites would target wooden structures, including the house foundations.
Seal the house from possible entry points of insects. These include windows, vents, chimneys, and roof shingles, and such. If there is a potential entrance, like a crack in the wall or a torn screen, then have it fixed immediately. Insects live outside the house, and you should keep it that way.
Keep the house clean. Keep in mind that insects tend to gravitate toward garbage or any mess. An infestation can also be caused by something as simple as unswept bread crumbs on the floor. One suggestion is to vacuum the house regularly. Throw your trash, and if they are still in the house, make sure the bins are covered and secured.
Make the house inhospitable to insects. Those unwanted bugs would always avoid clean, well-lighted, and non-smelly places. They can pick the scent of food even from far away, so store food in sealed containers if you are not placing them on the fridge—the same thing with fresh fruits when they are not being used as the dining table centerpiece.
Keep the house dry. Avoid damp spots that attract bugs and dangerous microbial life. A daily example in some homes is overflowing kitchen sinks. Not only is the standing water a potential breeding ground, but the moisture would most likely accelerate the deterioration. Also, make sure there are no leaking pipes. If necessary, you can use a dehumidifier in the hopelessly damp places in the house, such as the attic and the basement.
Use vinegar to get rid of ants. This technique helps keep away ants from your kitchen, but it also disinfects the surfaces of things. Ants don't like the smell. But what if you also can't stand the smell of vinegar? You can use a homemade bug spray from soapy water. When you spray ants with this, it will erase their trail so that others won't be able to pick up where they left off.
Create your cockroach killer recipe. The principle is to attract the roaches by baiting them with something they like, such as sugar. You lay the sugar trap and wait for them to come. But the sugar is also laced with a toxic element, such as borax. The roaches would smell only the sugar left in the open, not knowing what has been mixed with it.
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