Avoiding unwelcome guests
There are unwelcome guests that most homeowners dread. They come into
your house, eat, sleep, make a mess, and never leave willingly. No I am not talking about your in-laws or your second cousin twice removed, I am talking about the ones
that have at least six legs and sometimes flies.
They are, of course, insects. They’ve been freeloading in homes since
homes were invented. Here are some practical ways to keep these
unwelcome guests out:
• Find out how they got in. Look for gaps around windows and doors,
and cracks in the basement. If you find a spider web, there's likely an
insect entryway nearby.
• Watch out for standing water near the foundation of your home. Make
sure rain gutters drain water well away.
• Eliminate clutter. Insects love warm, cluttered, moist areas.
• Check the seal around dryer vents and other vents, pipes and cable
wires going through the wall. Reseal if necessary.
• Rinse recyclables before putting them into a bag or bin. Few things
are more tempting to a bug than the dark, moist, sweet insides of an
un-rinsed pop can.
If you do end up with a serious insect problem, call a professional
exterminator.