Say Bye to Bugs
Summer brings warmer days filled with sunshine, outdoor barbecues, and enjoying time with family and friends. However, it can also bring unwanted pests into homes. Read on to learn about kid- and pet-safe pest control options to keep bugs outside this summer.
Find the Entry Point
One way to stop critters from coming in is to figure out how and where they are entering the home. Bugs can easily penetrate a cracked foundation, so inspect your home’s foundation for any small cracks or broken areas and seal them with caulk. In addition to the foundation, entryways like windows and doors may need to have sealers or weather stripping replaced or reinforced.
Use Natural Deterrents
Keep indoor pests away naturally with pet- and kid-friendly household products you may already have laying around your home:
Essential oils can deter many pests. Dilute the oil with water and spray around entry points (be sure to use pet-safe oil). Peppermint oil deters ants and spiders and eucalyptus oil can reduce the number of flies and roaches. These oils are also a good alternative to typical DEET-based bug sprays when spending time outdoors.
Vinegar mixed with water can deter ants. Spray on doorways, cracks, and other entry points.
Dish soap diluted with water can safely get rid of aphids on indoor plants.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) sprinkled behind refrigerators, on windowsills, and along baseboards can help get rid of critters such as cockroaches, stinkbugs, and fleas. Be sure to buy DE labeled food grade and wear a mask when applying.
Homemade fly traps attract flies with sweet smells. Combine dish soap, apple cider vinegar, and sugar or fruit chunks in a mason jar. Cover with plastic wrap and poke holes in the plastic wrap. The smells draw the flies in, and the soap traps them in the jar until you are ready to throw away the solution.
Powered insect trap devices lure in flying and crawling insects with a UV light, trapping them onto a sticky pad. There is no mess or smell when in use, and you can place them out of reach of pets and children.
Keep The Outdoors Out
Having bugs outside your home makes it more likely for them to find their way inside your home. Long grass, brush, and weeds are popular hiding spots for bugs such as ticks and mosquitos, so staying on top of lawn maintenance can reduce the amount of bugs in the yard. Along with regular lawn care, keep trash lids securely shut, remove large stones, and store firewood in an elevated place away from your home. For additional treatment, there are pet- and kid-friendly spray solutions that you can apply yourself, or have a professional come to treat your indoor and outdoor spaces.
Meet the Author
Kristen Dee, BS, MA, Summa Cum Laude
Kristen Dee is a graduate of Winthrop University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in integrated marketing communications, with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude and IMC Student of the Year. Following Winthrop, Kristen earned a Master of Arts in Communication from Wake Forest University. Prior to joining CMC Media & Marketing Group as editor, Kristen successfully fulfilled roles involving internal corporate communications. Today, Kristen leads ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope®, CityScope®, and Choose Chattanooga® magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
