Have you ever watch the show Infested? I would have a nervous breakdown if my home was infested with bugs. The truth is, no home is safe from bugs and pests. There is a difference between common household bugs that live undetected, and your home having a severe pest problem. We want to feel safe and secure at home. We want to be proud of our investment, so when it comes under threat by things we cannot control, we become stressed out over bugs or rodents. Bugs, insects and rodents, just like humans, need access to a food and water supply. They need a place where they can burrow and rest. Taking the right measures to rid your home of access can often do the trick. Sometimes it isn’t good enough. Here are 9 ways you can bug proof your home for good.

9 Ways to Bug Proof Your Home

Call in the experts

If  you think you have some sort of pest infestation in your home then your first action is to call the experts to rid your home of the problem for good. Websites like www.pestcontrol.us are a great source of information when it comes to finding professionals and finding out what they can do. Some common things that alert you to a problem is finding droppings in your home, regular sightings and even rustling in the walls.

Seal your doors

A locked door can keep burglars at bay, and a properly sealed door can do the same to keep unwanted pests out of your home. If you take a closer look at the doors to your home, you may be surprised to find tiny gaps where rodents and insects can gain access to your home. The bottom of your door is one of the most common points of entry. Seal it by adding an additional protector that can be combined with a door sweep to ensure that nothing can get in. You can also buy door sealing kits from DIY stores that can help you bug proof your home.

Add special screens to open windows and doors

We rely on ventilating our homes by opening doors and windows to let fresh air in. This is especially true during the months when it is warmer. Opening your windows and doors can let bus in and sometimes allows them to infest our homes. If you’re thinking of having your windows and doors open for longer periods, get good quality screens. That way, you are protecting your home while still letting cooler air in.

Repair any cracks to your homes exterior

We’re all guilty of putting off odd jobs around the house like clearing out our gutters and sealing evident cracks. While these cracks may not be causing issues structurally, you are leaving yourself open to bugs and rodents when you ignore them. Sealing them up as soon as you spot them can reduce the chances of critters taking up residence.

Seal around pipes entering your home

Just like cracks are a great entrance point for pests, so is where your pipes enter your home. There are always pipes coming into your home. They all have entrance points, and you may find that some of the areas might have a gap between walls and the pipes. It’s a good idea to get those areas sealed up as soon as possible. They are one of the easiest routes a pest can use get into your home.

Take into consideration other areas pests can enter your home

There are other access points to your home that a pest can take advantage of, but some of them aren’t as easy to fill as holes, cracks and gaps in your walls. Houses have chimneys for the fireplace or furnace. There may also be vents in your home in places like the bathroom. These things cannot be sealed for healthy and safety reasons. You can bug proof your home by adding a small mesh wire to those exposed areas. This lets the air flow while keeping pests out.

Don’t leave yourself open to infestation

Even if you do all of the above, if you don’t do basic things like putting food away and cleaning up clutter in your home, then you are leaving yourself open to rodents. Like I said earlier, they thrive on having a source of food and water and a place to hide and burrow. So leaving food out, or even crumbs on the floor and on the kitchen work surfaces could be the start of a big problem.

Make sure you take care of your trash and recyclables properly

There are other things you can do in your home such as making sure you recycle properly and dispose of things like food and other waste appropriately. Messy trash bins can be huge breeding grounds for pests and rodents. Disinfect your bins regularly to keep bacteria and germs away. Websites like www.huffingtonpost.com have some great tips on how you can reduce waste in your home.

Encourage natures natural predators

Finally, the last thing you can do is encourage more natural predators into your gardens and surroundings. Birds are a great deterrent for bugs, so having a birdhouse filled with seeds and bird bath will entice birds into your garden. This will help keep anything else wanting to be near your home. Having a cat can discourage rodents such as rats and mice. They also love to eat flies and spiders! At least mine do…

What tips do you have to bug proof your home? I’d love to hear what you do!