Bugs are Back. Be Ready for Them.

Begin your defense by doing a quick walk-around of your home’s exterior. Take note of tree limbs that touch the roof or side of your house. Also look for any openings around pipes, paneling, or outdoor units like your air conditioner. These provide quick access points for insects trying to enter your home and can be easily fixed. Next, make sure all of your home’s doors and windows have a properly fitted screen — screen doors must close automatically to be most effective. It’s also important to double-check for small tears and gaps where insects can easily squeeze through — they are incredibly agile little buggers.

When caring for your lawn, make sure to keep the grass cut short and avoid leaving brush piles where insects can make their new home. Areas of standing water will attract mosquitos, which may carry the harmful West Nile virus, and other nasty insects. So, routinely checking for leaky pipes and sprinkler heads is also a must.

Inside your home, fix noticeable cracks with caulk or plaster, and avoid leaving food out in the open for too long. Once in your home, insects will be attracted to any open food, standing water or even bright lights. Keeping a clean and tidy kitchen will not only impress visitors, but also help keep out any unwanted guests.

You can also seek professional help to ensure that your yard and home have been properly surveyed for any pests. Insect prevention services will inspect your property for pests and individually treat any threat with their specialized repellents.

Even without bugs, outdoor fun can still be spoiled by smelly and sometimes harmful bug repellents. While one spray or lotion may seem harmless to some, it could potentially cause an allergic reaction in others. Many researchers suggest using natural remedies such as oil from Lemon Eucalyptus trees and soy oil to reduce the risk of any possible skin reactions. But when choosing commercial products, many recommend products that contain Picaridin — a formula that produces fewer odors and is safer for sensitive skin. Products that contain DEET are known to be more effective, but produce an odor that some find to be an annoyance. Make sure to do some quick research before choosing a spray or lotion.

Now that you know how to better avoid those pesky springtime bugs, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with family and friends.