True, insects seem to be everywhere, but your house should be an exception. Even so, it's not always easy to keep them out. They will fly, crawl, or burrow into the smallest openings in search of food and shelter. You can take care of insects in your house, and help keep them out, with the following tips.
Before you go after your bugs, you have to know what they're after. Some bugs, such as ants, hunt for overlooked crumbs on your floor and countertops. Moths like to munch on your sweaters. Silverfish like to go through a good book, but not the way you do. And some bugs, like fleas and mosquitoes, simply want your blood. Your job is to keep insects from getting the food they want.
Be sure to sweep your floors and wipe off your countertops to keep ants from marching in. Store cereal, dried food, and cookies in sealed containers. Grain moths love that stuff. Leaving fruit out almost guarantees a visit from gnats, so keep it in the refrigerator, if possible. Clothes made from natural fabrics attract moths, so store them in plastic bags or use moth balls. Since bugs like moisture, look for small leaks under the sink. Treat your dog and cat with a flea preventer to avoid a flea infestation in your house. Also, seal up any holes or cracks around windows and doors, and make sure your screens are in good condition.
Outdoor bugs can quickly become indoor bugs if you don't control them on their turf. You can use liquid or granular control products to control bugs that want to crawl into the house. If you have wasps or hornets, you want to kill them around their nest.
Ready-to-use sprays, such as Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Perimeter and Indoor Insect Killer, are great for treating small exterior areas around windows and doors, as well as on hard surfaces. For your foundation, try Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Outdoor Perimeter Insect Killer Ready-Spray with a hose-end sprayer.
Granular products are made for soft surfaces, such as the mulch and earth around the perimeter of your house. Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Insect Killer Granules is an example of this type of product. It can kill and prevent bugs for up to 3 months.
If you have termites outside near the house, you can help keep them from getting in with a
trenching treatment, such as Ortho®
Home Defense MAX® Termite and Destructive Bug Killer*. Following the directions on the
label, you create a barrier around the perimeter of your house to discourage termites from
getting in. If they are inside your house, you'll need to call a professional.
*This product is not labeled for trenching in MA, NY, and RI.
Everybody gets nervous when a wasp or hornet nest is discovered near the house. Spraying them can be a little scary, especially since they fly out of the nest when it's attacked. A good solution is Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Wasp and Hornet Killer. When you spray the insects, the foaming aerosol kills on contact, plus it helps trap insects in the nest. Just be sure to follow the directions on the label.
