How do I keep insects from coming in my house?

Question

It's summer, and I have a problem with various bugs creeping in. i think they are coming through my ill-fitting screens.

I'd like to keep them from coming into the house. However, I have both indoor and outdoor cats so I don't want to leave poison lying around. Besides, it's much nicer just to repel the insects rather than killing them.

Is there anything I can place around the windows that won't harm the cats and preferably won't kill the bugs, but will keep them from coming inside?

They seem to be mostly flying beetles, usually brown or black. I'd love to keep out mosquitoes and other creepy-crawlies too.

Thank you!

Answer 1

I've used bay leaves around the window sills and also nutmeg. It seemed to work for me.

Answer 2

Clean with a mixture of vinegar and water, this will help. It helps cut oil for one thing. The smell goes away within 30 minutes. I put the mixture in spray bottle and use instead of other cleaners. Bugs are attracted to sugar and oils so keep surfaces clean. That goes for jars and cans in your recycling bin too. Keep a watch on your fruit so it won't go bad and attract bugs. Keep all grains and flower in the frig or freezer instead of on a shelf where bugs can breed.



Vinegar, a small amount, put in a load of laundry softens the clothe without needing a softener and helps rinse out the soap so clothe lasts longer. This added comment for the laundry has nothing to do with the bugs but using vinegar for cleaning is a good idea.



Don't bring plants into the house from outside, bugs are always living in the soil. Dried flower from outside have bugs in them often too.



Getting the screens fixed is a must too.



Diane

Answer 3

Nothing on the market will work for your pest control until you get your ill fitting screen repaired. If you don't know how to do the job, have a hardware store or someone who specializes in screen repair to do the job. Once that's done, call Terminix & have them come & spray your home & lawn. It will not harm your pets & does not leave a strong chemical odor behind.

Answer 4

the mosquitoes you really have to get rid of them bec of the health hazard it poses, but the bugs,...you don't have to. chances are, they are just trying to fing some mating nook or a cooler place. or, something else is attracting them inside the house. better look for that, then you're on to the solution of your problem. good luck!