Protect your Home from Bugs

Generally bugs are insects or other similar creeping or crawling pests that spoil wooden furniture, clothes and books etc. They enter the house from outside and create unhygienic conditions having adverse effect on the health of occupants of the house. Sometimes bugs enter cooked food and cause danger to the life of human beings. The number of bugs is increased during rainy season but most people do not take it seriously.   

Tips to protect house from bugs/insects

1. Clean floors daily

The floors should be cleaned or vacuumed daily.  Any food spill need to be removed quickly so that the bugs are not attracted towards the mess.           

2. Store food items properly

Make sure that all food items are stored in properly sealed containers in pantry. Dry goods like sugar, floors etc. should be put in air tight containers so that bugs can not enter them.  

3. Wash dishes immediately

Wash dishes without any delay as soaked dishes can attract bugs if they are left for uncertain point of time. After washing dishes make sure to drain out water and wipe down the sink. 

4. Patch up cracks and keep kitchen clutter free

Seal all cracks and crevices in kitchen, cupboard, walls, platform etc. with cement carpenter wax or silicon sealants properly. The lofts and cabinets should be kept clean and be free of clutter periodically. Do not leave pet food lying inside or outside the house.  All eatables are covered properly.  

5. Provide offset in door shutters

The house owner should provide offset between wire gauze door shutter and internal door shutter. If offset can not be given, rubber strips should be fixed under outer door shutter to stop bugs which usually enter the house from outside through the gap between outer door shutter and floor. 

9. Store clothes in trunks/boxes properly

Before storing clothes boxes/trunks should be cleaned thoroughly and be sealed on all corners and openings with tap. Put naphthalene balls in boxes to protect clothes stored in boxes. Corrugated boxes and curtains should be discarded if you have to shift to a new house. Clothes or especially woolen garments should be stored in large ZIPPED plastic containers/units. Don’t store boxes/trunks of clothes in office garage or in basement.

10. Arrange adequate light and ventilation

Make use of sufficient light and ventilation to keep bugs away since most bugs prefer to stay in dark and damp atmosphere.

11. Check leakages in water supply pipes

Any leakage in water supply and sewer pipes should be checked to avoid dampness. There is no leakage through rainy water pipes and roof slab to avoid dampness.

12. Avoid stagnant water near home

Holes filled up with water, children’s toys and birdbath can be breeding place for bugs. Fill in those places and provide drain to remove water from birdbath to prevent bugs from house.  

13. Clean all debris and garbage containers

All debris, stones, bricks etc. lying around your home should be cleaned. Wash inside and outside trashes and recycling containers once a month. Have a separate toilet brush to clean hard to reach areas of trash cans well. Put lids on your trash to keep bugs out and smells in. Always purchase bins and buckets with lids while shopping for garbage containers.

14. Don't pile up wood inside the house

The wood or firewood should not be collected inside or near home as it can be entry point for bugs or pests. Instead you can stack the wood away to keep bugs/insects away from home. Trim bushes, trees, and shrubs, and even flowerbeds that can be additional entry point for bugs.  

  

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