5 Ways Bugs Enter Your Home and How to Stop Them

Bugs are, unfortunately, a part of homeownership. One way or another, they’ll find their way into your home. The best most of us can do is discourage them from staying too long and prevent them from coming back with proactive treatment methods. Curious about how they’re getting in and what you can do to keep bugs from coming back? Read on to learn more. 

Common Entry Points for Bugs

You’ll most likely find bugs coming in your home to escape rainy or otherwise changing weather, so keep a special eye out for these six entry points if the weather has changed. 

Gaps in Doors

If your doors don’t seal up completely against the outdoors, there’s a chance bugs can get in. Take a look at any exterior doors you have. If you can see so much as a speck of light when the door is completely shut, that’s a vulnerable spot insects can breach. Most likely the weatherstripping has failed if the door is older. Replacement with a strong new door is your best defense here. 

Unsealed Walls and Vents

Any unsealed space in your house is an open invitation for bugs. Unsealed walls, such as older walls or walls that haven’t been fully built, are obvious places where insects can get in, but unsealed vents like your dryer vent, ventilation system openings or even plumbing vents are also potential bug infiltration spots. Unsealed walls can be closed safely, but with vents, it’s best to install screens to keep insects out. 

Cracks in Walls

More than just a sign of your house “settling” on your foundation, cracks in walls pose a great opportunity for bugs to get in. Large diagonal cracks could signal a structural problem with the house, leaving a potential fault that reaches all the way to your home’s exterior. This makes it incredibly likely that bugs will use the cracks as methods for getting into your home. 

Torn or Damaged Screens

Screens can help you enjoy some welcome airflow into your home, but if there are any tears or other damage to the screens, insects can easily fly or crawl through into your home’s interior. Inspect any screens on windows or doors on a regular basis and repair any damage before it becomes an issue. 

Poorly Sealed Foundations

If you have a basement, your foundation could be a way insects access your home. Poorly sealed foundations can form cracks that insects can crawl through, accessing your basement or other areas below the ground level in your home. Of course, if this area has access to the rest of your space, it won’t take long for the insects to find their way above ground. Treat any foundation problems like the serious problem they likely are. 

How to Bug-Proof Your Home

Now that you know how they can get in, here’s how to keep bugs out of your home. It’s worth noting that it will take some proactive thinking rather than reactive treatments for truly effective results. 

Seal Your Doors

Adding a door sweep or entirely replacing your door are your best bets for keeping insects from accessing your home. Strong new weatherstripping is made to keep inclement weather and insects from getting in. More than that, it also contributes to your home’s overall energy efficiency, meaning you’ll see savings on your monthly utility bills! 

Add Screens to Windows and Vents

If you love fresh airflow in your home and don’t already have screens installed, look into it now! Screens won’t impact your ability to enjoy that fresh air—they just work to keep unwanted elements like bugs out of your home without impeding that breeze. You can also install screens to some vents to discourage visitors from crawling up into your home. 

Fix Cracks or Holes in Walls

Addressing cracks or even holes in your walls will go a long way toward an insect-free home. While you may be panicked about large cracks, often they’re fairly easy to repair. As we mentioned above, you should only worry about large diagonal cracks that could signify structural issues in your home. Most cracks or holes can be patched with concrete, covered with paper drywall tape or plastered. 

Maintain Your Outdoor Space

If your landscaping could use some TLC, it’s time to take a Saturday to neaten up your outdoor living areas. This not only increases your home’s curb appeal, it discourages bugs from viewing your lawn and home as a great place to live. It’s a win-win. 

Store Food and Waste Properly

If you leave food out and don’t take out the trash promptly, you’re making it very easy for bugs to find reasons to come in and make themselves at home. Store food in closed containers and put leftovers away as soon as you’re finished eating. Wash up your dishes when you’re done with them and take out trash on a regular basis. Additionally, try to use one central trash bin with a lid that seals closed. Having several smaller waste bins makes it harder to keep track of which has been emptied than keeping track of one central trash bin. 

Use Natural Bug Repellants

While it may be tempting to reach for the bug spray, most of these are only temporary solutions. If you only see one bug, go ahead and spray it down. If you’ve got more than one accessing your home, though, bug spray won’t fix the issue—plus, often they’re not safe for small children or pets. Natural bug repellants are an environmentally friendly solution. A diffuser of peppermint oil near entry points to your home is an easy, all-natural pest repellant. 

Time to Replace Your Windows or Doors?

If insects are coming in through gaps in your doors or windows, it’s time to replace them for effective relief from worry over household pests. Not to mention the curb appeal and energy efficiency you’ll find with new replacement doors and windows! Get in touch with us today for your free estimate.