Colder weather means spending more time indoors. Unfortunately, insects also head inside to forage for food and seek shelter from the low temperatures. Even in the warmer months, bugs will seek refuge indoors.
“Those who want a bug-free home will have to be proactive year-round. Ants, certain fly species, such as winter crane flies and other insects, are adapted to cold temperatures and can be very active during these cooler months,” said Daniel Perry, entomologist for Zevo at Procter & Gamble.
To prevent unwanted houseguests and banish bugs from your living spaces, check out these tips:
• Ventilate humid areas: Hot water is more commonly used in places like the bathroom or basement. These closed spaces can create humid environments which insects tend to gravitate to. To attract fewer bugs, keep these areas well-ventilated.
• Prime your space for plants: If you have indoor plants, properly prime and debug your home beforehand to prevent potential infestations. Check all houseplants for unwanted insects regularly.
• Tidy up: Cleanliness is the most common strategy for coping with bugxiety and there’s a good reason for it — it’s effective. Make sure you take out your garbage regularly. Be sure not to leave food out for excessive periods of time, as that can attract insects.
• Get round-the-clock protection: Certain products, like Zevo Flying Insect Traps, use blue and UV light to continuously attract and trap insects to an adhesive back that you never have to touch. Place traps in your kitchen, garage and other areas where doors and windows are frequently opened to protect your home day and night from pesky flying insects.
• Fight back: Nip signs of a bug problem in the bud by dealing with it immediately. Spot a bug? Immediately kill bugs you see by using a bug spray.
“While bugxiety is very real for the majority of Americans, fortunately there are many strategies for keeping them out of the home that won’t disrupt your family,” said Perry.
