How to Protect Your Family from Common Pests and Insects

Insects and other household pests can negatively affect your home as well as your family’s health.

If pests are a problem in your home, you’ll want to take the necessary measures to rid your premises of these critters and keep your family safe.

Here are some smart ways to protect your family from common pests and insects.

Table of Contents

Don’t Leave Trash Lying Around

Pests often use garbage as a food source or living space to breed and multiply, and you can safeguard your family better by ensuring that no exposed garbage is left lying around your home.

Pests are particularly attracted to old food scraps, food packaging, and used beverage containers, and these items should be disposed of as quickly as possible.

All garbage should be disposed of in trashcans, and you may want to consider getting trashcans for your home that have lids on them to deter pests.

You may also want to keep recyclables in containers that are in your garage or yard instead of inside your home.

Keep Your Home Clean

You’ll want to keep your home as clean as possible at all times if you’re going to keep pest populations in your living space down to an absolute minimum.

In addition to dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming, you should wipe up all crumbs and other food particles from tables, chairs, and other areas where food is consumed so that pests won’t be attracted to the morsels.

Cleaning your home regularly will also help you spot pests better so that you can take faster action to get rid of them before they grow in population.

Store Food Securely

Storing food that’s uncovered or in containers that don’t provide a tight enough seal can cause more hungry insects and other household pests to enter your home.

Airtight containers work great when storing food inside pantries and refrigerators. Chip bags that have been opened can be sealed better with bag clips.

In addition to thwarting pests, storing your food more securely can keep your food from spoiling so that it lasts longer.

Seal Entrances

Holes, cracks, and other openings in your walls, floors, and sealings can create entrance ways for pests, and sealing these openings can help keep dangerous critters out of your home.

The areas around windows and doors in your home should also be appropriately packed to prevent pests from sneaking in through these areas.

New caulking material may need to be applied to seal the areas around your windows and doors better.

Have Bug Spray on Hand

Holes, cracks, and other openings in your walls, floors, and sealings can create entrance ways for pests, and sealing these openings can help keep dangerous critters out of your home. If you find a wasp nest in your loft, for example, it may be an indication that you have a hole somewhere in your roof. Once you’ve dealt with the nest (by finding a phoenix pest control service or similar service near you), the hole can be sealed by a professional roofer.

There are environmentally friendly bug sprays on the market that can exterminate pests without causing great harm to the environment. However, if you have a serious pest problem, sometimes it is better simply to call a reputable pest and termite control service to clean any bugs quickly and efficiently out of your home.

If mosquitos are bothersome while you and your family are trying to relax outdoors, a mosquito misting system can be installed in your yard to keep these pests at bay.

Keep Pest-Repelling Plants in Your Home

Certain plants emit aromas or have other anti-pest properties that many pests hate, and keeping some of these plants in your home or yard can be a great way to control pests naturally.

Many of these plants can also add more natural appeal to your home and make your living space a greener setting.

HandyManTips.com considers artemisias, chrysanthemum, and lavender to be among the best vegetation types for repelling pests. Basil, oregano, and rosemary can also work well.

Before putting any of these plants in your home setting, it’s essential to make sure that the aroma they emit isn’t unpleasant for anyone in your household or that none of your family members are allergic to them.

Try Other Natural Pest Control Methods

Along with using plants, you can try other natural pest control methods to keep your home pest-free in the safest manner possible.

Coffee grounds can be placed near entrance ways to deter certain pests. If ants are getting into your home, putting some small cornmeal piles can eradicate your local ant population.

Tea tree oil, citronella, and other essential oils can also help get rid of pests.

You and your family shouldn’t have to surrender to pests. By utilizing the right methods, you can make your home a pest-free environment that’s safe for everyone.

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Emma

A mother and lover of all things practical. My blog covers about motherhood by exploring all areas of life. Our tips and tricks help the large community to do more in less time so they can spend time enjoying happy, healthy families.