The summer season can be an especially challenging time of year to keep your home free of bugs. Taking the following steps however can help you guard your home from invading insects:

• Seal cracks: It’s a simple DIY project you can complete in just a few hours, but it can make a world of difference. Caulking cracks in doors and windows is not only an effective way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your utility bills during the hotter months, it can also seal off a common entry point for bugs.
• Fix screens: There’s nothing more pleasant than a good cross breeze on a mild day. But before throwing your windows and doors open, be sure that screens fit securely and are free of holes. Even a minor tear can lead to a major bug problem. You can choose to patch tears or replace the screen entirely if needed. Easy-to-install mesh screen curtains that close with magnets are another good option, especially for renters and those unable to make major upgrades to their residence.
• Use traps strategically: “Tapping into what is known about bug biology can help put a stop to pest problems,” says Bryan Smith, Market Leader at Zevo, a manufacturer of bug traps and sprays.

Smith recommends taking advantage of flying insects’ notorious love of lights by plugging Zevo Flying Insect Traps into outlets around your home where bugs enter and tend to gather. Using a special blue and UV light system (instead of odors and chemical insecticides), the trap safely attracts gnats, house flies, and fruit flies to an adhesive pad. Built to eliminate the ick-factor, its sleek, compact design keeps ugly insects out of view, and is effective at both defending your home’s entry points, like garages and entryways, as well as banishing bugs that have made their way to areas such as the kitchen, around trash cans and near drain pipes. For whole home protection, pair the traps with Zevo bug sprays.

• Keep things tidy: It’s nearly impossible to keep all bugs out of your house all the time. That’s why it’s so important to ensure you’re not inadvertently creating a haven for insects to thrive. Be sure to wipe down surfaces where food is prepared and eaten, clean spills quickly, and regularly sweep and vacuum crumbs.

By sealing your home’s entry points and relying on safe and effective bug elimination strategies, you can help prevent insect invasions and have a more comfortable summer season. (StatePoint)