Why Are There So Many Bugs In My House?
Most homeowners have been there before. It seems like all of a sudden, the insect population in our house goes from manageable to out of control. We haven’t changed anything, so it makes us wonder, why are there so many bugs in my house?
The reality is that there are many reasons why you could be dealing with a bug infestation. We’ll go over some of the top reasons you might see an influx of bugs in your house. Once you know why they’re there, you’ll have a better chance of making changes and getting rid of these pests.
Cracks in the home’s foundation
One of the most common causes of bugs in a home is a cracked or shabby foundation. These small cracks are the ideal places for bugs like ants and termites to make their way into your home and start a colony. These cracks can also be passageways for bugs like silverfish, roaches, and other pests, as they crave the moisture on the other side of the crack. And, if bugs are entering those cracks, spiders will be too.
Tip
It’s hard to get rid of the problem of pests in the basement if the foundation is cracked, as well. Make foundation repairs one of the first things you do if you have basement bugs. Silicone caulk works well for small cracks, but large gaps and splits in the concrete or block may require patching with concrete. Be sure to pay attention to any spaces around basement windows as well, as they’re rarely installed in a pest-proof way.
Poorly sealed doors and windows
When carpenters build homes, they frame large openings for the windows and doors that are bigger than the units going into them. This allows the carpenter to adjust the doors or windows until they sit flush and plumb. But, this also leaves tiny gaps around the frames. Small insects use these gaps as entry points into the home for shelter and food. Even small openings can cause a major pest infestation.
Tip
Don’t forget about window screens, as well. Bugs can easily make their way through tears and window screens and be inside the home in no time at all. The same applies to screen doors, but they also often have holes and gaps where they meet the jamb, letting common household pests waltz right in. Door sweeps and weatherstripping can often help with these issues.
Standing water and wet basements
That wet basement could be the cause of serious issues. There are a lot of insects that need moisture to survive, many of which are carpenter ants, termites, roaches, camel crickets, millipedes, and pill bugs. Also, other insects like midges and mosquitoes will lay their eggs in standing water.
Tip
High moisture levels create a breeding ground for these pests. These conditions can also lead to mold and other less-than-ideal situations. A dehumidifier may help, as can a french drain system with a pump. These two items can control the moisture level, remove standing water that pools in basements, and stop bugs from establishing themselves.
A note on standing water: Another place you might find water is in the tray of window-style air conditioning units. Air conditioning causes condensation, and if it doesn’t drain from the pan, midges, mosquitoes, and other pests can lay their eggs in the water. While they’re on the outside of the home, air conditioners aren’t completely sealed, so they can easily make their way into the unit and then into your home. It is possible to drill holes in the bottom of the pan for experienced DIYers who know not to drill into the mechanicals.
Another option for getting rid of these flying pest (but not the moisture) is to use a mosquito fogger. If you’re working indoors, be sure to use a cold ULV option for safety’s sake. Learn more about mosquito foggers here.
Leaving food waste around
Another (obvious) reason you may have so many insects in your home could be the bad habit of leaving food scraps around. If you’re allowing dirty dishes to pile up, messes and spills to go uncleaned, or letting the garbage pile high, you’re giving insects an easy meal. They’ll come back time and time again for the food, typically laying their eggs nearby as well.
Tip
Clean those dishes, take out the garbage, and employ a general level of cleanliness. Developing a routine will help keep bugs at bay, especially during the times of the year when they’re the most persistent.
In the same vein, it’s important to keep grains, sugar, pet food, and other items stored away in bug-proof airtight containers. This will greatly reduce the chances of bugs like grain beetles, warehouse beetles, pantry moths, sugar ants (which can easily invade a car, as well), roaches, and other pests that carry diseases from getting into the bags and crawling all over food and snacks.
Dryer vent, chimney, and exhaust fan penetrations
There are a lot of mechanical devices that penetrate walls and roofs, creating a bit of a bridge between the outside world and in. They do so to release exhaust fumes and moist air as well as allow some unconditioned spaces to breathe. These bridges may be dryer vents, chimneys, exhaust fans, roof vents, and ridge vents on the top of the roof line, and each entry point is essentially an open invitation for bugs to enter your home.
Tips
While they’re necessary, all of these penetrations offer large holes for insects to use to get into the home where they can lay eggs and continue their life cycles. Hardwire cloth, screens, and vent dampers can help prevent bugs from making their way inside. Just be sure not to block or clog any of these penetrations or you could be creating a very dangerous situation for your family.
Keeping a cluttered home
General housekeeping is key when trying to keep bugs and unwanted pests from calling your house theirs. Piles of cardboard boxes, food trash, hair and dander from pets, dirty dishes, dust, and other bad habits can invite an array of common house bugs inside and lead to serious bug infestations.
Tips
There are some tips to keep bugs out of the house:
- Clean up garbage and store trash properly. This means using high-quality garbage bags, tying them tightly, and taking them out to the trash can daily.
- Dust and vacuum frequently. Dirt and dust attract bugs that spiders love to eat, so leaving a house dirty and dusty is a good way to ensure you’re sharing your house with spiders.
- Recycle cardboard boxes, newspapers, and other paper goods. Stacks of these items often serve as perfect hiding places for pests like roaches, silverfish, and certain crickets, among many other insects.
- Pest-proof the pantry by storing foods like grain, pet food, sugar, cereals, and other similar items in bug-proof, airtight containers to prevent all the bugs from making your cabinets an all-you-can-eat-and-mate-in buffet.
- Wipe counters, floors, and similar surfaces with disinfectant soap or cleaning solutions.
- Pour baking soda and vinegar down sink drains to kill drain flies and their eggs. These insects are not only annoying, but they can attract even bigger insects that want to eat them like spiders, pincher bugs, and other larger insects.
You’ve got a messy yard
If you’re not maintaining your yard outside, you could be causing an issue for yourself inside. Messy crawl spaces, plants growing against exterior walls, letting the grass get too tall, leaving waste from pets, and not leaving enough space between firewood and the home can cause pest issues.
Even something as insignificant as leaving out grass clippings can affect the pests that your yard holds (though these are usually rodents).
Eventually, these bugs will start to make their way into the house. This is usually for food and shelter, and a moist basement is the perfect hiding place for them to start their new colonies.
Tip
Instead of letting your yard invite bugs from every corner of the neighborhood, clean it up. Move the wood piles, get rid of the yard clippings, cut back the plants touching the exterior walls, and do a general bug-proofing around the foundation. Let your foundation be the bug barrier it’s intended to be by caulking cracks and gaps in the walls, placing hardwire cloth over crawl space vents, and other generally good practices that prevent insect entry.
FAQs
What brings bugs in the house?
In most cases, bugs come inside because they’re looking for food and sometimes shelter. Their needs are pretty basic, and they can often get everything they need in a home.
Why do I have bugs if my house is clean?
Your house may be clean, but if your basement is damp or there are cracks through which pests can travel, you’ll probably have plenty of insects living in your home. Also, you can be bringing pests like bed bugs in on luggage or clothing worn while traveling, in which case, you’ll want to invest in a bed bug spray.
Does a dirty house attract bugs?
Ultimately, yes, a dirty house does attract bugs. Insects like flies, roaches, silverfish, and other insects enjoy dirty homes. However, there are pests that enjoy clean homes, too, so it’s best to have a professional check out the home.
