You did your best to prevent bugs from getting inside your house, but they’re still slipping through the cracks (and windows and doors). The increasing numbers likely mean you’re beyond the prevention stage and need to prepare for what might be a bug invasion. It’s time for tools and tips to free your home from bug pests.
Avoid Overkill With Bug Sprays and Traps
Most homeowners who need to know how to get rid of bugs in the house go on the offensive with sprays or traps. That's not effective, according to pest experts. “Some of the things we do to try to get rid of the bugs are actually drawing them in,” says Frank Meek, an entomologist and manager at Rollins Inc. in Atlanta. The overuse of indoor bug killers, poor gadget placement, and insufficient maintenance may invite pests and worsen your bug problems, according to the pros.
Inside your home, plug-in ultrasonic repellents are hit or miss, says Nikki Torgerson, owner of Advanced Bed Bug Preparation in Oskosh, Wis. On the other hand, “smart traps with attractants for flies or fruit flies have gotten better and more effective.”
3 Solutions to Get Rid of Bugs in the House
Instead of overusing indoor bug killers, consider these three solutions:
Integrated Pest Management: Combined Options
Integrated pest management is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach that relies on a combination of commonsense practices, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It incorporates all appropriate pest management options including careful use of pesticides. “We try to use materials and methods without dependency on [pesticide] chemistry any time that's possible,” says Frank Meek, an entomologist and manager at Rollins Inc. in Atlanta.
Insecticides — but Follow the Directions
In some cases, stronger chemicals and sprays may be the best solution. if you do use insecticides, “products nowadays are very regulated and safe, as long as you go by the directions on the product,” says Matt Smith, co-owner of Green Pest Management in New Castle, Del.
Expert Help to Fight Bug Invasion
Certain signs like the following call for expert intervention.
- “If you’re seeing mud tubes, which could mean termites, or droppings that look like pepper flakes, or waking up with bites, it’s definitely time to call in the pros,” Torgerson says.
- Dead carpenter ants in random parts of your home could also indicate a colony may be hidden in the walls or ceiling. If the bugs keep returning, it likely means a nest or moisture issue could be going undetected.
Smith says regular pest control is like car maintenance and can reduce the need for indoor bug killers. “It’s kind of like getting the oil changed in the car,” he says. Regular treatments can prevent bigger problems.