Insects are something that almost everyone dislikes. Not only can they cause a variety of health issues but they can also be incredibly irritating to deal with. Now that the warmer months are fast approaching, it is time to start protecting yourself from bugs and insects at home. However, before you start making those all-important changes to your home, you will need to identify the access points that insects might be using to enter your home.
Even if you have top-of-the-line protection already, such as a flyscreen by Clearshield, insects can still find their way in through other small spaces, gaps, cracks and holes in your home’s perimeter. To keep your home and your family truly protected from insects during the summer, there are some main areas to focus on that are often the usual access point suspects.
Let’s take a look at just some potential insect access points that you need to pay close attention to so you can start insect-proofing your home.
Do You Use A Wood Stove Or Furnace?
Many people still use wood as the primary method for heating their homes, and in some cases, it can be the perfect transport for insects. If you use wood in your home, regardless of what time of year, your chances of bringing insects in will have increased exponentially just because of this reason. Not only can they easily hide on logs and kindling but they can also gain access through stove pipes and chimneys with relative ease.
Doors And Windows
The largest holes in your home are always going to be the primary access points for insects and other pests. Your doors and windows should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that they are still properly sealed. If there is a torn seal on a door, a hole in a window screen, or even the smallest crack in a window pane, insects can use this access point to get inside your home. Not only will sealing any cracks, gaps or holes help to prevent insects from getting in but it will also make your house more energy efficient at the same time.
Fans And Ventilation
Homes are never completely sealed from the outside, as everything needs airflow to ensure mould and mildew are kept to a minimum. Your home will have ventilation points, and maybe even some exhaust fans, that must be checked routinely to keep insects and other pests at bay. These areas are essential to keep clean and maintained, as they will help to keep insects from gathering in these difficult-to-see spaces. If the area around these access points is not well-maintained and is left to overgrow, you can be sure that bugs will find a way inside.
Cracks, Holes, And Other Damage
Any damage that your home has, whether it be a hole in the siding, a crack in the foundation, or a screen door that is off-kilter, can become entry points for insects. While these gaps might seem insignificant, you must remember that insects and bugs can squeeze into the smallest of spaces, and any visible damage must be repaired right away to give your home a fighting chance.
When you are assessing your home, be sure to pay particular attention to the foundation, as cracks are not just entry points for bugs, they can cause other issues down the road. You want to ensure that any cracks, no matter how minor, are filled as soon as they are found.
Don’t Forget About The Garage
If you have a garage attached to your home, bugs will become an issue if you are not careful. Treat your attached garage just like any other room in the house, ensuring all damage is repaired and everything is properly sealed. If your garage is detached from the house, you still want to do this, as the fewer bugs you potentially have encounters with, the fewer that may travel inside with you.
The Yard Is Where It Starts
Don’t be the neighbour that everyone whispers about; the one, with a yard that looks like it hasn’t seen a mower in months! Not only does it look unsightly but these conditions are the perfect breeding ground for bugs and insects. The better maintained you keep your property and landscaping, the less chance you have of bugs choosing it as their new home.
Keep an eye out for signs of insects congregating in the yard, such as ant mounds and different types of nests. If you suspect there is an issue, make sure that you take action right away as the longer that you ignore this potential problem, the bigger the chance you could be dealing with an infestation down the line.
Do Everything The You Can To Keep Your Home Insect-Free
Every year is a new battle with insects, and it is something that will most likely continue for many years to come. The more you do each year to protect your home from insects, the easier it becomes, and the less major work you will have to do on an ongoing basis. Make completing a walkaround of your property a semi-annual routine to check to see that access points are still secure. With a consistent approach to pest control in your home, you can ensure that your fears of an infestation quickly become a thing of the past.