10 Practical Ways to Keep Bugs Out of Your Home

Creating a pest-free home environment requires understanding how to keep insects out. Not only do they make your space unsanitary, but they can also be a major nuisance, from the incessant buzzing of flies to the itchy bites of mosquitoes.

Bees, wasps, and scorpions can inflict painful stings, while fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks can transmit diseases to both pets and humans. Even the humble cockroach can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks, particularly in children [source: Asthma and Allergy Foundation].

With over 10 quintillion bugs on Earth (that’s 10,000,000,000,000,000,000!), keeping bugs out of your home can seem like an impossible task [source: Smithsonian Institute]. However, by understanding the factors that draw insects to your home, you can begin to make changes that will effectively keep them at bay.

Insects, much like humans, require food, water, and shelter to thrive. By eliminating their food sources and removing their favorite hiding spots, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of them settling in your home.

Naturally, the most effective way to avoid an infestation is to prevent bugs from entering altogether. To achieve this, seal any cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior. By securing the entry points insects use to enter, you can greatly increase your chances of maintaining a bug-free environment.

Eager to begin? Keep reading to discover how some simple door hardware can assist in your efforts to bug-proof your home.

10: Seal Your Doors

Much like a locked door keeps intruders away, a well-sealed door can prevent unwanted pests from entering. Upon inspecting your entryways, you may be surprised by how many gaps are unsealed, each providing an easy route for bugs to enter.

To prevent insects from crawling under your door, install a durable steel or aluminum threshold beneath it. For added protection, pair it with a door sweep. These inexpensive devices, available at most hardware stores, cover the gap between the threshold and the door bottom. Nylon brush sweeps offer the best protection against pests, better than vinyl or neoprene alternatives.

Add weather stripping or door-seal kits around the frame to block insects from entering through the sides or top of the door. Apply clear caulk to seal the joint where the door frame meets the wall, and along the bottom of the frame where it connects with the ground.

Bear in mind that these door sealing techniques will only work if the door remains closed. If your kids tend to forget, consider installing a door closer. This hydraulic device will automatically close and latch the door after it’s been opened and can be adjusted to control the speed and force of closing. Door closers are affordable and can be easily installed by the average homeowner with basic tools.

9: Install Screens

Many homeowners rely on natural ventilation from windows and doors to bring in fresh air, especially during the sweltering, humid summer days. Unfortunately, this is also when mosquitoes, fleas, and other pests are most active and likely to invade your home.

To enjoy fresh air without the nuisance of insects, install screens in your windows and doors. Opt for a 20-mesh or finer screen to block out most common household pests [source: Gouge, et al.]. Installing screens is easy and requires just a few basic tools.

Don't forget that insects can also sneak in through holes or tears in your existing screens. Use a screwdriver or scissors to gently push the broken wires back into place. Coat the hole with household cement or clear nail polish to prevent bugs from getting inside. If the screen has come loose along one side or corner, reattach it with staples (for wooden frames) or a splining tool (for aluminum frames).

8: Keep Your Yard Well-Maintained

Proper yard maintenance is key to reducing bug infestations, especially mosquitoes and fleas. Mosquitoes require water to breed, so eliminating standing water in your yard is one of the best ways to keep their numbers down. This will not only improve your enjoyment of the outdoor space, but it will also minimize the number of pests attempting to enter your home.

To prevent pooling, check your yard for areas where water accumulates. If you spot standing water on your lawn, it may be due to thatch buildup. Aerating the lawn will help water to naturally soak into the soil. Another common issue is poor drainage caused by the slope of the land. You can either add fill dirt yourself to fix this or have a professional regrade the yard [source: Gouge, et al.].

It's also crucial to maintain proper drainage systems, such as gutters and drains. Ensure they're free of leaves, grass clippings, and other debris so they work efficiently. If you have a pool, make sure it's properly chlorinated and filtered, even when it's not in use. Change the water in your birdbaths or fountains twice a week to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching.

As you maintain your yard, don't forget to clear away any piles of leaves or debris. These areas provide an ideal hiding spot for insects to rest and reproduce, potentially setting the stage for a difficult-to-eradicate infestation.

7: Fix Cracks

Considering how tiny many bugs are, it's easy to see how they can enter through cracks or holes that seem almost invisible to the naked eye. This is why sealing cracks on your home's exterior is one of the most effective ways to keep pests out. A useful rule of thumb: If a pencil can fit into a gap, so can a small mouse, and countless insects can follow suit.

Begin by thoroughly inspecting the exterior of your home. Look for damaged or missing siding, cracks in the foundation, loose or decaying bricks, and rotted wood. You'll be amazed at how vulnerable your home becomes once you notice all the gaps and openings waiting to welcome pests.

To keep insects out, use mortar or cement to fill in foundation cracks and patch up masonry walls. Remove any damaged bricks and replace them, ensuring the joints are sealed with mortar. Replace rotting wood, trim, or siding, and add cementitious backerboard to areas prone to termite damage, like exposed foam insulation or wood sheathing. Pay extra attention to the roofline, where bees and wasps tend to nest. Gaps or holes in the fascia board or soffit can lead to a dangerous run-in with stinging insects in your home [source: Terminix].

To effectively seal your home and repair minor cracks, take advantage of caulk's excellent properties. It's affordable, easy to apply, and does wonders for keeping bugs at bay. Apply caulk around window frames, air intake or exhaust grilles, small cracks in the foundation, and joints where the siding meets the roof or foundation. Latex caulk is ideal for areas you'll paint over, while clear silicone caulk is more flexible and resistant to drying out and cracking over time [source: Gouge et al.].

6: Seal Around Pipe Penetrations

If you're like most homeowners, you've probably dealt with utility installations at some point. Whether it's a new cable line, internet service, or phone wiring, installers likely drilled holes in your home's exterior to run the lines. While some installers may have added sealants or caulk around these lines inside your home, what about on the exterior? Most likely, there are utility or pipe penetrations surrounded by large gaps, offering an open invitation for pests to sneak in.

Common through-wall penetrations include those for water, gas, electrical, or air-conditioning piping. Inspect the entire exterior of your home for such openings, as they can be found at ground level or along the roofline. You can often trace the path of cable and telephone lines from external poles to the entry point into your home. Don't forget to inspect outdoor faucets and electrical outlets for any gaps [source: Gouge et al.].

Seal smaller gaps or cracks with pipe sealants or caulk. For larger openings, consider using expandable polyurethane foam. Some installers may also use copper mesh or steel wool as an additional layer behind the foam to prevent insects from boring through [source: Potter].

5: Cover Large Openings

Larger holes in your home's exterior can be challenging to seal, especially when dealing with structures like chimneys or roof vents. Instead of caulking, use fine wire mesh, also known as hardwire cloth. This material comes in rolls that can be stapled over openings to prevent pests from entering. It not only keeps insects out but also helps deter squirrels and raccoons, which can bring fleas, ticks, and other bugs into your home [source: Potter].

Check for large holes on the roof, particularly around chimneys and roof vents. A prefabricated chimney cap can be used instead of wire mesh and may provide better protection against various pests. Be sure to also install wire mesh over crawl space and basement openings, as well as over grills, vents, and registers to keep pests at bay [source: Gouge et al.].

Some vents come with pre-installed dampers to block bugs. Ensure these dampers are functioning properly, and replace or repair them if necessary. You can also replace old grills or vents with models that feature screens specifically designed to keep insects out.

4: Don't Invite Bugs To Dinner

Even with all the measures you take to bug-proof your home, there's always a chance pests will find a way in. To discourage them from settling in, remove their favorite resources like food, water, and clutter. When these necessities are unavailable, bugs will simply move on to the next home, leaving yours bug-free.

A cluttered home can easily become a haven for pests. Whether hidden under heaps of old newspapers or inside crowded cupboards, insects can multiply rapidly before you even notice. By the time you detect them, it might be too late to fully remove them. Keep clutter to a minimum to prevent infestations from starting.

Insects also need a food source to survive. Prevent them from feasting in your home by storing food in airtight containers and cleaning up spills as soon as they happen. Wash dishes right after meals or load them into the dishwasher immediately [source: DIY Pest Control Guide].

Don't overlook pet food, as it can be a tempting meal for ants and cockroaches. Put pet food away after feeding time, or invest in a bug-proof container that keeps food available for your pet while keeping pests out.

Inspect the roof for large gaps, particularly around chimneys and vents. You can use a pre-fabricated chimney cap instead of wire mesh, which may offer better results in keeping pests out of the chimney. Wire mesh should also be placed over openings in crawl spaces, basements, grills, vents, and registers to block insects from entering [source: Gouge et al.].

3: Store Trash Properly

Much like how one person's trash can be another's treasure, trash bins in your home can turn into a buffet for cockroaches and other unwelcome pests. To keep bugs from invading your trash, it's crucial to store and handle waste properly.

Store food waste in the kitchen rather than in bins scattered around the house. Make sure the trash goes into a can with a lid and is emptied every night. Outdoor bins should have self-closing lids with tight seals to prevent insects from getting inside. Clean and sanitize both indoor and outdoor trash bins and recycling containers regularly, particularly when exposed to spills.

If you maintain a compost bin, it should be equipped with a secure lid and lined with wire mesh to deter pests. Remember to remove compost piles every three to six months [source: Gouge et al.].

2: Keep Foundations Clear

Because the foundations of your home sit closest to the ground, they are prime entry points for bugs. By keeping these areas clear and safeguarded, you can significantly lower the chances of an infestation.

Insects like termites, ants, fleas, and spiders thrive in moist environments. Preventing moisture from accumulating around your foundation makes it harder for these pests to breed. Keep wood piles, leaves, mulch, and grass clippings away from the foundation, and store firewood at a distance to avoid attracting termites.

Inspect for gaps along the foundation and where the siding meets. The bottom section of siding or trim may not be tightly sealed, creating an entryway for insects. Look closely beneath this row for any gaps or loose connections, and seal the space with trim, caulk, or foam [source: Gouge et al.].

While many homeowners rely on chemical insecticides or termicides for foundation treatment, these may be unavoidable. If you're looking for a natural alternative, try applying boric acid or diatomaceous earth along the base of the walls. These are non-toxic and safe for both pets and family members.

1: Encourage Natural Predators

One of the easiest ways to keep pests away from your home is to attract their natural predators. A variety of small insects serve as food for birds and bats, with warblers and swallows being particularly effective at eliminating mosquitoes. Bats, on the other hand, consume a broader spectrum of pests, including wasps, flies, spiders, mosquitoes, and even scorpions [source: Carstens].

To make your property more inviting to helpful birds, provide them with trees and shrubs for nesting. Ensure a reliable water source, changing the water frequently to prevent stagnation. You could also consider adding a birdseed or nectar feeder to supplement their diet of insects [source: Gouge et al.].

While some homeowners might feel reluctant to invite bats into their yards, their natural ability to control insect populations makes them beneficial. Luckily, bats are nocturnal creatures, sleeping during the day and only becoming active at night, so you're unlikely to notice their presence. While you're resting, they'll be busy eliminating pests before they can make their way into your home. To encourage bats, consider adding a bat house or roost to your yard.