Reduce Insect Infestation around Your Home

If there is one thing that can ruin a beautiful day, it is the insects that want to enjoy it as much as you do. You can’t escape them entirely, and they are necessary for the eco-system, but you can make efforts to keep them out of your home. A dog door and some creative gardening may be the answer to your insect problem.

• Create a perimeter of insect-repelling plants. Insects love plants, but there are certain scents that repel them. Almost any kind of mint will make insects want to avoid your home. If they are repelled from the perimeter of the lawn, you don’t have to worry about them inside the home.
• Eliminate entry opportunities. Install a dog door so that your pets can come and go as they please, but you don’t have to open the door and let insects in each time your pet needs to do their business. You will especially appreciate this feature when the porch light is surrounded by insects and you don’t have to worry about them.
• Hang pennies in water around the windows. For some reason, this repels flies. Some people use a plastic bag, but you might choose to get more decorative about it.

During the more active months, you may have to be more proactive about keeping the counters clean and rinsing out pop or beer cans. These provide havens for insects. You might also use a vinegar and tea tree oil spritz to help keep insects off of your pets. The key is to plan ahead so you never have to go to the expense of getting rid of insects which have already invaded your home.