How to Keep Annoying Pests From Invading Your Family's Home All Year Round

Published on Aug 30, 2021 at 12:56 PM

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No matter what season it is, there seems to be a whole host of bugs ready and waiting to invade your home. Whether it's mosquitos, roaches, ants, or spiders, pests are never fun to deal with.

There's nothing more annoying (and gross!) than feeling a cockroach scurry across your feet, and a surefire way to put the lid on summer fun is a bunch of mosquito bites on a very itchy kid. So, keep reading for tips to help you keep all those creepy-crawlies and buzzing beasts at bay all year long.

Keep Your Floors Dust-Free

Dust bunnies, cobwebs, and unfilled holes are a bug's bread and butter, and they love to hide out in spots that collect dust. Plus, dust mites thrive in these environments and can cause allergies in some people. Bugs can also take up residence in your carpeting and rugs, so make sure to give everything a thorough vacuum as often as possible, especially if you have kids or babies and spend a lot of time on the floor.

Lean on Airtight Containers

If you remove the food source for bugs like roaches and ants, they have a lot less incentive to hang out in your house. Make sure not to leave any food like fruit or bread out on countertops, and run your garbage disposal every time you put food scraps down there. You'll also want to use airtight containers for any storage, especially pantry items like pasta and rice. You don't want weevils in your bucatini!

Have Bug Spray at the Ready

This is a big one, because no matter what precautions you take, there will always be bugs that make it through your defenses. If you have kids and pets in the house, it's also important to choose products that are going to be safe* to use around them. Raid Essentials™ products are made using essential oils and are specifically designed with plant-based ingredients to kill bugs.

Use Plants as Natural Bug Repellants

If you have an outdoor space — or even a windowsill or stoop — there are several potted plants that you can keep outside that smell great to humans, but terrible to bugs. For example, flying bugs like mosquitos and house flies hate lavender, mint, basil, rosemary, and lemongrass, along with pretty flowers like marigolds and scented geraniums.

Help Pets Stay Flea-Free

If you have a furry friend in the house, you know about the troubles that are caused by a flea infestation. While they cause terrible itching for your dog or cat (and can transmit disease), fleas can also jump to humans. Make sure your pet is on a monthly flea medication, you give them flea baths regularly, and even spray places like baseboards and bed frames with flea killer.

* When used as directed