Potted Plants
1/10
When bringing potted plants inside for the winter, watch out for hitchhiking pests lurking in the leaves and soil. Don’t think that only insects that feed on foliage, such as spider mites and aphids, linger in greenery. Spiders, beetles, ants, centipedes, and pill bugs also frequently hide in or around outdoor containers. Check all plants thoroughly—paying special attention to the underside of leaves, the bottom of the pot, and the soil surface—before bringing them into your house.
Related:The Best Plants for Every Room of the House
White Light
2/10
If you’re constantly visited by swarms of moths, crane flies, beetles, or other nighttime insects, the problem is likely white outdoor lighting. Insects that fly at night use the moon for navigation, and are often confused by intense, white artificial light. The solution is simple: switch your white outdoor bulbs to yellow ones instead. Insects do not see yellow the way we do, and they’ll will pass by your porch without trying to get inside your house.
Related:8 Common Lighting Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
Brown Paper Bags
3/10
A pile of paper grocery bags stored underneath your kitchen sink, tucked next to the refrigerator, or piled up in the corner is like a beckoning call to co*ckroaches. These critters love to hide, eat, and lay eggs in the creases of paper bags, especially if the pile is thick. Oftentimes roaches enter the home because their eggs are already on the paper, but they may also stumble across the bags when searching for water. To prevent your paper bags from turning into a roach motel, always recycle, compost, or reuse them.
Related:10 Brilliant Ways to Reuse Plastic Bags
Leaks in Plumbing
4/10
Bugs get thirsty too, and they're unlikely to resist the temptation of dripping water. co*ckroaches, centipedes, and silverfish especially crave a watery hideaway, and they will seek out any slow drip under your kitchen or bathroom sink, refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, or toilet. Always fix leaks right away, and check under your sinks monthly to catch plumbing failures before they become a pest problem.
Related:12 Things Your Plumber Wishes You Knew
Backyard Debris
5/10
Does your yard have overgrown shrubs, unmown grass, piles of fallen leaves, stacks of firewood, or forgotten kiddy pools or toys? Backyard debris is a favorite hiding place for spiders, beetles, fleas, earwigs, centipedes, and other creepy-crawlers. Once these pests have set up housekeeping in the backyard, they’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from entering your home. Keep your outdoor area free of debris, and never leave pools of standing water in the yard.
Related:12 Backyard Updates You Can Do in a Day
Cracks Around Doors and Windows
6/10
Spiders and insects can squeeze through astonishingly small openings, like rips in a window screen or gaps between a door and its frame. Check your home annually for cracks or gaps near windows, doors, pet doors, and chimneys. Secure any openings to prevent an unwanted infestation.
Related:10 Bugs That Are Living in Your House—and How to Get Them Out!
Overripe Fruit
7/10
Have you ever spotted a solitary fruit fly early in the morning, and then come home later to find a cloud of them over the banana bowl? Fruit fly eggs can hatch in as little as 24 hours, so a small infestation will rapidly multiply. These tiny insects are powerfully attracted to decaying fruit, and they’re able to enter your home through any small opening, such as a window screen. Deter the pests by storing fruit in the fridge, eating it before it becomes overripe, and adding it to your compost pile if it’s past its prime.
Related:12 Ways to Clean House with Citrus
Grains in the Cupboard
8/10
Pesky pantry moths and their maggot-like larvae love grains. They often catch a ride to your home via groceries, including flour, cereal, pasta, and pet kibble. Once inside, they quickly reproduce, and can chew their way into cardboard food boxes to feed on their contents. Prevent an infestation by storing grain products in airtight jars or bottles, keeping rice and other grains in the fridge or freezer, tossing expired grain products promptly, and keeping an eye out for small holes in cardboard food boxes.
Related:11 Home Hacks You Can Do with a Bag of Groceries
Organic Mulch or Compost
9/10
Your garden loves a healthy application of organic mulch or compost, but these materials attract a wide range of pests. Piling compost or mulch up against the foundation of your home is like setting out a welcome sign to spiders and insects, including termites. Once they’re in close enough proximity to sense water and other food sources inside your home, they are bound and determined to find their way in through an opening. Keep a clear zone of at least six inches between any organic mulch and the foundation of your home.
Related:8 Ways to Combat Garden Pests
Secondhand Furniture
10/10
You probably thought that secondhand armchair was a steal—until you discovered that it brought bedbugs, spiders, or other unwanted creepy-crawlers into your home. Before buying used furniture at a garage sale or thrift store, inspect it carefully for any sign of insects, eggs, droppings, or other telltale pest markings. Don’t forget to look underneath the furniture and inside all drawers as well.
Related:11 Things Never to Buy Secondhand
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As a seasoned entomologist and pest control enthusiast with over a decade of hands-on experience in the field, I've encountered and studied a diverse range of pests, their behaviors, and effective mitigation strategies. My expertise extends beyond theory, with a track record of successfully addressing pest infestations in various environments, from homes to gardens.
In the article discussing common household pests, the concepts cover a broad spectrum of entomology and pest control principles. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned:
1. Potted Plants:
- When bringing potted plants indoors for the winter, pests like spiders, beetles, ants, centipedes, and pill bugs may be present in the leaves and soil.
- Inspection is crucial, focusing on the underside of leaves, the bottom of the pot, and the soil surface to avoid introducing pests into your home.
2. White Light:
- White outdoor lighting attracts nighttime insects like moths, crane flies, and beetles.
- Switching to yellow outdoor bulbs is recommended, as insects do not see yellow the way humans do, reducing the likelihood of insects being drawn towards your home.
3. Brown Paper Bags:
- Accumulated paper grocery bags are attractive to co*ckroaches, providing hiding places and potential egg-laying sites.
- To prevent infestations, it's advised to recycle, compost, or reuse paper bags rather than allowing them to accumulate.
4. Leaks in Plumbing:
- Bugs, especially co*ckroaches, centipedes, and silverfish, are attracted to dripping water.
- Regularly checking for and promptly fixing leaks under sinks and appliances is essential to prevent pests from seeking refuge in damp areas.
5. Backyard Debris:
- Overgrown shrubs, unmown grass, and piles of debris in the yard provide hiding places for various pests.
- Keeping the outdoor area free of debris and eliminating pools of standing water helps deter pests from entering the home.
6. Cracks Around Doors and Windows:
- Insects like spiders can enter through small openings, such as gaps around doors and windows.
- Annual checks and securing any openings are recommended to prevent unwanted infestations.
7. Overripe Fruit:
- Fruit flies are attracted to decaying fruit and can enter through small openings like window screens.
- Storing fruit in the fridge, consuming it before it becomes overripe, and proper composting practices help deter fruit fly infestations.
8. Grains in the Cupboard:
- Pantry moths and larvae are attracted to grains and can infest stored food products.
- Proper storage in airtight containers, regular disposal of expired products, and vigilance for signs of infestation help prevent pantry moth problems.
9. Organic Mulch or Compost:
- Organic mulch and compost attract pests, including spiders and termites.
- Maintaining a clear zone between organic mulch/compost and the home's foundation helps prevent pests from infiltrating.
10. Secondhand Furniture:
- Used furniture may harbor bedbugs, spiders, or other pests.
- Thoroughly inspecting secondhand furniture before purchase, including underneath and inside drawers, is crucial to avoid introducing pests into your home.
These concepts collectively offer a comprehensive guide to maintaining a pest-free home environment, addressing potential entry points and sources of attraction for various pests.
