10 Cheap, Effective Ways to Pest-Proof Your Home

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Americans struggle to keep critters outdoors, and many turn to exterminators for help. But such a move should be your last resort. Take steps to create a hostile environment for bugs and other pests, and you won’t need to spend big bucks on the bug man.

Here are 10 cheap, effective ways to pest-proof your home.

1. Seal and repair openings

Check your basement for cracks and gaps, especially where pipes exit through the wall. Go outside and look for openings around exterior outlets, laundry vents and utility meters. Such areas are likely to have invitingly large cracks for bugs.

Check weather stripping on doors and windows, and repair holes in screens. I’ve used these screen repair adhesive patches for a quick fix. Also make an effort to keep your garage door shut.

2. Give your pets a dining space

I left my dog’s pet food in a bowl on the floor once. That was a big mistake. Bits of food he knocked out of his dish ended up across the room and attracted ants.

Give your pet a dining area on a rubber mat. This makes spilled food easier to spot and clean up.

If you’re having an ant problem with pet food left on the floor, put the food bowl into a larger bowl with water in it — the ants can’t cross the moat to get to the food.

3. Keep a clean kitchen

Just about every unwanted pest is attracted to leftover bits of food, so keeping a clean living area is important. Here are a few quick tips:

  • Keep all leftovers stored in lidded containers.
  • Check for sugar spills near the coffee maker.
  • Wipe residue off containers containing sugary stuff, such as peanut butter and jelly.
  • Keep fruit out of direct sunlight and check frequently for spoiled produce.
  • Vacuum or sweep regularly.
  • Rinse containers before putting them in the recycling bin.

4. Keep a dry home

Insects love damp environments, so eliminate moisture and wet spots. To do so, start by applying caulk to fix leaks around tubs and sinks. In your basement, check for stains on the ground that indicate dripping pipes, and inspect above for cracks or loose fittings.

Look for water spots in your ceiling that could mean a hole in your roof. Holes can also be an entry spot for bugs.

5. Clean up the yard

Insects are likely to congregate under grass clippings, compost heaps and decaying leaves. They will also use branches touching your home as pathways. So, trim branches and shrubbery to keep insects confined to plants. Clean up pet poop, and keep trash bins and compost heaps securely covered and away from your house.

6. Invite birds

Birds are pretty to look at, and they like to eat bugs. Consider getting a bird feeder — it’s cheaper than a bird bath and it won’t create a stagnant pool of water. Or you can make one free. Check out Audubon.org for six examples. It’s a nice weekend project for the family!

7. Store firewood away from the house

Termites, ants and cockroaches like to hide out in woodpiles and the damp ground underneath. Keep firewood stacked on an elevated surface and stored away from your home.

If you have a lot of wood, consider a firewood rack, which allows wood to be stacked neatly and off the ground. Otherwise, stack wood somewhere like a wheelbarrow or bench and cover it with a tarp.

8. Make a homemade flytrap

I hate fruit flies. They pop up wherever there’s something sweet and seem to linger forever. So after I got tired of running after them, I took to a more scientific approach.

I’ve tried several homemade flytraps, but I’ve had the most success with this: Add a squirt of dish soap to half a cup of apple cider vinegar in an open container. The flies are attracted to the sweet-smelling vinegar, and the soap breaks the surface tension, drowning the fly.

Put a few of them around the house where you see the pests, but don’t put the traps near open windows — that encourages more flies to come in.

9. Don’t kill mice — trap them

I don’t like killing mice because their dead bodies are a breeding ground for insects and bacteria. Instead, try this simple trap (less than $7 on Amazon), which has a four-star average review and is reusable.

There’s also this slightly more expensive trap for less than $13. It has even more positive recommendations than the first trap, and its transparent walls let you see if a mouse has been caught.

To prevent mice from getting inside in the first place, use steel wool to plug holes like those found near baseboard heaters and dryer.

10. Practice mosquito management

Mosquitoes are annoying bloodsuckers. At best, their bites leave itchy red welts. At worst, they can transfer disease such as the Zika virus. We discussed ways to ward off the annoying bugs in “5 Cheap Steps to Eliminate Mosquitoes,” including:

  • Get rid of standing water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, so take away their breeding ground by overturning water in open containers and throwing mulch or soil over yard puddles.
  • Place minced garlic around your porch. Garlic’s odor acts as a natural repellent to many insects, including mosquitoes.
  • Adding citronella, eucalyptus, cinnamon or castor oils to sunscreen can repel mosquitoes for when you need to work outside — just be sure to follow the instructions and don’t dump a cup of citronella on your face.
  • When you’re sitting outside on the porch, use an oscillating fan. You’ll love the nice breeze, and wind is a mosquito’s enemy.

What do you do to eliminate bugs at your place? Tell us below or on our Facebook page!

Kari Huus contributed to this report.

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