How To Bug Proof Your Home While You're Away: 5 Expert Tips

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Looking for top-notch tips on how to bug proof your home? Look no further!

Whether you’re leaving for a vacation or enjoying downtime at home, it’s important to safeguard your sanctuary from pests. Don’t let unwanted intruders disrupt your tranquility or jeopardize your health.

Below, you’ll discover effective strategies to maintain an insect-free haven for you and your loved ones. Take the first step towards peace of mind—read on to discover 5 secrets of a pest-resistant home.

CONTENTS—In this article, you will learn how to bug proof your home, including:

5 Effective Ways to Make Your Home Bug-Free

Your home offers a sanctuary for you and your family but may also unknowingly house a variety of pests. Research has revealed that these pests can pose serious health risks, including respiratory diseases, asthma, and allergic reactions.

Imagine the peace of mind you could have, spending quality time with your family or traveling without worrying about any of these creatures in your home.

To help you achieve a bug free home, below are four effective ways to bug-proof your house.

1. Keep Your Home Clean

Food crumbs and spills are common in most homes and can serve as an open invitation to pests. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain top cleanliness in your home.

Regularly wiping down your counters and tables, storing food in sealed containers, and keeping your dishes out of the sink are all effective strategies on a daily basis. It’s even more important to do a thorough cleaning before you travel. That way, you also come home to a clean house.

Remember, the less clutter and leftovers you have, the less attractive your home is to bugs. By taking a simple step, you can ensure a bug-free home.

2. Groom Your Pets

While your furry friends bring you endless joy, they can sometimes bring pests like fleas. Here are some quick tips to keep your home free from these insects.

You’ll want to:

Clean up your pet’s food bowls after meals
Change their water regularly
Place washable towels in the napping spots to trap hidden eggs

You can wash the towels in hot water afterward to kill them. Don’t forget to vacuum pet hangout areas weekly and toss the vacuum bag.

It’s a good idea to bathe your pup once a week and use a flea comb on them to remove any hidden bugs before they introduce them back into your space.

If you’re taking your pet with you when you travel, here’s a useful guide with packing tips for pets.

3. Get Expert Assistance

Even with your best efforts, you may find that bugs persist in your home. If DIY methods aren’t proving effective, it’s time to bring in the professionals.

These experts often use eco-friendly methods that are safe for your family and pets. Some bugs like those in your beds can be particularly challenging. Worse, it’s possible you may bring home bedbugs when you travel.

Instead of stressing over a battle you might not win, consider teaming up with experts like Aptive Pest Control to handle the situation, giving you peace of mind and a bug-free home.

4. Set Out Sticky Traps

Sticky traps may not necessarily add to your interior design, but having them can be a lifesaver against those bugs.

They are surprisingly effective at catching all sorts of pests, from creepy crawlies, especially spiders and scorpions to winged insects, like pantry moths and flies. Plus, they’re inexpensive, come in various sizes, and are safe to use around plants.

You can even get creative and make your own sticky trap with cardboard and some sticky stuff like motor oil or petroleum jelly. Just be strategic about placement. Under the couch or bed works wonders. If you have children or pets, be sure to keep them out of reach.

So, while they might not win in the aesthetics department, sticky traps can be your ally in the battle against several household bugs.

5. Seal Entry Points

While keeping your home clean and using traps are effective measures, it’s equally important to prevent pests from entering in the first place.

Thoroughly inspect your home’s exterior and interior for any gaps, cracks, or openings that insects could exploit. That includes windows and door screens with obvious rips. Pay close attention to areas around windows, doors, pipes, and vents.

Then, seal any potential bug entry points with caulk, weather stripping, or mesh screens to deny pests access to your sanctuary.

By fortifying these vulnerable areas, you’ll create an additional barrier against tiny unwanted intruders for a better defense against pests.

Final Thoughts on How to Bug Proof Your Home

So, there you have it – five effective ways to bug-proof your home. Take these proactive steps to maintain a comfortable and healthy living space and enjoy peace of mind while you’re home or away.

While it can be hard to create a completely bug-free area, with the above tips and commitment, you can reduce nearly all pest-related incidents in your home.

About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

Follow my social channels for more inspiration.

Next Steps

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