Got That Spring Bug?

Spring has arrived and many have begun their annual cleaning, planting, and preparation for the upcoming year. I have laid down mulch, seeded my grass, and did a tune up to my lawnmower all the way down to having the blade sharpened. I have had my windows open as often as I can to let the fresh, crisp air roam through my house and lift the dull scent that a winter-long lockdown instills. Flowers, pollen, birds, bees, sounds of mowers, kid’s laughter as they play outside all creep back into my daily life… and so do bugs.

I grew up in South Florida where we did not get a break from the six-legged creepy crawlies. We even had Palmetto bugs, a two to three inch long monster roach that could fly with a helicopter-like sound as they chased me through my childhood like a scene from ‘North by Northwest’ blended with ‘Starship Troopers’. To say the least I developed an aversion to nature’s ultimate scavengers taking up residence in my home, and I learned ways to combat it from happening.

First and foremost is cleanliness. Common sense tells you this, but I say it anyway. Keep food put away, or in sealed containers, wipe down your kitchen counters, tables, floors, and anywhere else crumbs may land. Don’t leave food crusted dishes out, keep your bathrooms wiped down, and other things that can be done on a daily basis.  Even with these precautions I have little visitors from the outdoors. Crickets creep in, Spiders slink by, and fuzzy centipede things are found trying to blend in with my beige shag carpets.

So I have found prevention is my friend. Start by getting a good pesticide in the gallon jug with the hose and sprayer attachment. There is a brand I have used for years without ever being disappointed. I walk around outside my house and spray around all doors, windows, vents, and seams (corners, soffit vents, etc). You can do this in an apartment also, but to a lesser extent. Come inside and do the same thing, but go through each room. Make sure you get all the corners, this is where insects most commonly travel. Even if they don’t travel that route, they still have to cross those points.

Once you have done that, it is time to look for more permanent solutions. I will start with the least expensive options and move to higher priced fixes. Check your doors and windows for insulation and weather stripping (called foam tape in the DIY store). This can be bought in ten foot rolls for less than five dollars. Each door will take at least one roll.  Another precaution is to check the seams of your trim and windows for openings. Close these off. Spray foam insulation, caulk, or whatever fits the job, will make sure these little secret passages can no longer be used.

More expensive options like replacing screens, windows, doors and other entry points are the final step. But as much as we would all like to do that, the vast majority of us have a budget we cannot break. Though maybe I could do that in phases. I have found a few simple precautions go a long way in having only invited guests coming into my house. Good luck and I hope your spring bug is NOT of the variety!