Tips for Keeping Bugs & Pests Out of the House

Seeing spider webs and other creepy bugs as part of Halloween decorations is expected. When spiders, bugs, and pests decide to call your residence home, it's time to make some changes. Dealing with bugs and pests in and around the home may seem insurmountable but when you practice these tips, you'll find you can keep these intruders out.

Bugs and pests are seeking food, shelter, and places to stay hidden. When you eliminate these attractions it's easier to keep your home pest-free.

Easy Entry Points

You may be thinking, "How do these bugs really get in?" During the fall months as we're experiencing cooler temperatures, this seasonal change drives insects to gather on warm, sunny exterior walls and slip indoors to overwinter in attics, basements, garages, or wall voids. Let's take a look at some easy entry points.

Be mindful of the hitchhikers that hitch a ride indoors on your clothing, on a box or bag you're carrying in, or as a stowaway in flower cuttings from your garden. It's easy to cut flowers and lean in to smell the scents, only to discover a hidden ant or other insect.

Look for cracks and openings around doors, windows, and your home's foundation. If you can feel a draft around windows, this can be the entrance a tiny ant or spider needs to feel invited inside. Sealing these cracks and openings adds a barrier to keep bugs outside where they belong.

Adding door sweeps to exterior doors works well to eliminate air gaps and make a tight seal to prevent light, air, and insects from entering.

Repair or replace any torn or damaged screens. Check screens around windows and the porch. Flying insects don't need a large space to squeeze through.

Practice Prevention

When you eliminate food and water sources, you're doing one of the best practices to keep bugs from moving in. Get in the habit of regularly wiping spills and crumbs from countertops and floors. Focus on containing any mess or crumbs to a central location such as the kitchen or dining room instead of eating wherever. If snacks are enjoyed while tv watching, be sure to return the dirty dishes to the kitchen (or better yet, place dishes inside the dishwasher for the next run) instead of leaving things pile up. Store your pantry foods and pet foods in tightly sealed containers.

Stay alert for damp areas around the home and keep things dry. Fix or repair any leaking or dripping faucets. Turn on dehumidifiers in damp rooms. Use the exhaust fans in the bathroom and while cooking to keep humidity levels lower. In the laundry room, watch for signs of dampness or mildew. Keep paper towels or a microfiber cloth handy to wipe any remaining condensation from surfaces in your final clean-up.

Regularly take out the trash. This not only keeps things tidy but it reduces odors that attract curious (and hungry) bugs. If your trash bins have a lingering odor using a white vinegar solution works well to clear away leftover residue and smells.

Regularly vacuuming rooms picks up any stray bugs not easily seen plus clears away droppings, shed skins, webs, and egg cases. This makes it easier to spot new insect activity and helps chemical treatments penetrate deeper into clean carpet fibers.

Apply ready-to-use insect spray along the baseboards and entrance points plus treat the exterior perimeter areas around your home. Whether you purchase bug spray and do this yourself or hire a professional, these added layers of chemical protection are a strong defenses in bug prevention.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene's Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, #2 in 2022, #5 in 2023 and 2024. When it's time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.