Bugs either refer to insects in general or “true bugs,” a specific order of insects which include aphids, cicadas, and leafhoppers. When people talk about bugs though, they usually mean all kinds of crawling and flying insects. These insects help the ecosystem and environment in many ways, but they can also cause major headaches when they turn up in huge numbers in your house or yard. There are many ways to get rid of bugs, depending on their kind. Here are some ways to keep your house bug-free.
•For stinging bugs: Get rid of hornets, wasps, and bees by spraying them with a wasp killer. These insects typically sleep at night, so it's easy to get near the nests and get them all in one spray. Make sure to wear thick protective clothing though, because some of these bugs retaliate when they are being attacked. Spray the nests at least twice, and then remove the nests or bury them.
•For blood-sucking bugs: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and gnats are bugs that suck the blood of humans and animals. Install window screens to easily keep these insects out of your house. This is especially effective against chiggers, since they prefer staying outdoors.
You may also use BTIs to control the pests at your home. BTI stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a type of bacteria that kills bug larvae. BTIs are also sometimes called mosquito dunks, because they are usually dropped into ponds once every thirty days to kill bug larvae before they mature. Also, if you're in the woods, apply DEET on your skin first to prevent ticks and chiggers from clinging on your skin and sucking your blood.
•For parasitic bugs: Compared to other kinds of bugs, parasitic bugs like head lice, fleas, dust mites, and bed bugs are harder to get rid of because of their size and their location. They are usually very tiny and cling to fabrics without you seeing them. Removing bed bugs involves changing the mattress and covering the new one with a rubber cover. Dusting crevices and cracks with pyrethrum also reduces bed bugs in your home.
Some parasitic bugs, like dust mites, are very expensive to get rid of. The whole process involves removing the carpets, installing hardwood floor, and vacuuming the entire house regularly. Lice and fleas are easier to eliminate because they only require pyrethrins and shampoo treatments. You can also apply borax on your carpets to get rid of fleas that escape other pest control techniques.
•For bugs that hunt for food: Bugs like house flies, fruit flies, spiders, and cockroaches are in your house because it's an excellent source of food. These insects are always crawling or flying around your house to find smaller insects to eat. The best way to kill these insects is to set up traps all over your house, especially in moist areas. You may place sticky traps in dark corners of your house or use other traps that are specially designed to trap specific insects. It's also important to clean your home thoroughly to deprive these bugs of their food.
•For nesting bugs: Some bugs, like crickets, earwigs, silverfish, moths, boxelder bugs, lady bugs, and termites are in your house not because they are hunting for food, but because your house is a suitable shelter for them. They are harder to get rid of because they nest in the nooks and crannies of your house. Dust your house with boric acid or pyrethrum, especially in moist places where bugs are most likely hiding. You may also use a vacuum cleaner to suck away boxelder bugs and lady bugs and throw them outside. In addition, make sure that the wood of your house doesn't touch dirt to reduce your risk of insect infestation.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Bugs
There are many other ways to get rid of bugs in your house aside from the ones mentioned. Try the following methods of bug control to eliminate bugs in your house and keep them from getting inside:
•Squish them: Squishing is a very effective method of bug control, but watch out for spilled insect guts. Boxelder bugs can stain walls because of their color, and dead, squished cockroaches have a very bad odor. Squishing is more practical if you only have a minor bug problem at home. Wipe surfaces with a clean rag after squishing bugs to prevent the growth of bacteria.
•Trap them using a jar: Some bugs don't move that fast, so you can trap them using a jar. You can then get rid of trapped bugs by throwing them far away from your house or drowning them in the jar.
•Keep your house dry: Bugs are attracted to moist places because they are usually home to other organisms that can be their food. Dry damp closets, basements, and other spaces to keep bugs out. Also, fix leaky drains that provide moist environments for insects, worms, bacteria, and other organisms. It's also advisable to install dehumidifiers to discourage other bugs from getting inside your home.
•Kill other bugs in your house: If bugs keep returning to your home, then it must be a good place to hunt for food. Discourage bugs from getting inside your home by killing other bugs that serve as their food; for example, if you want to get rid of spiders, then try to get rid of termites, mosquitoes, and flies that might be flying around your house. Once bugs are deprived of their food, they will eventually leave the house on their own or die.
•Hire pest control agents: You can always call professional pest control agents when all else fails or when your bug problem is too big. These professionals have the proper equipment and knowledge to deal with different kinds of bug infestations. Be sure to ask them for tips on how to prevent bugs from returning to your home so you'll never have another bug problem ever again.
Don't hesitate to hire professionals if your bug problem is too big. Bugs will constantly return to your place if you're not solving the real cause of the problem. Get all the help you need to get rid of the bugs in your home to prevent injuries and bug-related diseases.