Updated on September 12, 2024
Home is often seen as a sanctuary—a place of tranquility filled with comforts like books, music and a warm fire. Yet, even small repairs or the sight of bugs can disrupt this peace, turning relaxation into action.
Damages to your home
All homes, new and old, endure damage over time. Storms rage, kids create messes and accidents occur. As life goes on, our homes will reap the years we place on them. Thus, it’s vitally important to maintain damage control and make repairs promptly.
When we experience the following six problems, we invite an array of insects into our homes and open the door to a number of bigger issues.
1. Broken windows
When you have a broken window, there will be no spare window laying around to replace it. A quick fix-it-until-I-purchase-a-new-window will have to do. Tape, cardboard and plastic are all common MacGyvering ways that’ll work (for the moment!). Seal the area well to prevent unwelcome guests in your household.
2. Torn screens
Torn screens are another issue. If you’re fortunate, they are behind a closed window or door. You may need to rescreen the entire frame or, if the tear is small, glue and a handy replacement patch will work. If the hole is tiny, you can slather up both sides of the screen with clear nail polish, which will harden and seal up the tear and keep insects outside where they belong.
3. Gaps around vents and other piping
These are often unseen areas that contractors leave uncompleted. Sometimes the gaps are needed; other times, it is just sheer laziness on their part. If it is the latter, you will need to purchase caulk or insulation to place around the gaping to keep bugs and other creepy crawlers from entering your precious abode.
4. Gaps around doors and windows
This can be from installation misalignment, natural disaster damage or weathering damage due to stripping around the door or window. These repairs are a bit more difficult, but must be done for multiple reasons: keeping those pesky critters out, protecting your home from losing the cold air-conditioned air in the summer and the escape of warm air in the winter weather and preventing an electricity bill (from all of the vanishing cold or warm air) from skyrocketing. You may need mortar, decorators chalk, frame sealant or expanding foam to get the job done.
5. Damage to siding
There are five primary causes to siding damage: improper installation, pest activity, excessive moisture, inclement weather and lack of maintenance. These types of repairs can, unfortunately, get costly. It’s no wonder they often sit undone for so long. Your siding (and your roof) are your best defenses against the elements and don’t last forever. Prioritize regular inspections of your home. Think of it as an investment for your peace of mind.
6. Cracks in foundation
Some foundational cracks are serious and some aren’t. There’s no need to worry, unless the cracks are larger than 1/10 of an inch, wider on one end or getting bigger. If you see a crack in your drywall (or plaster), there’s no need for shortness of breath. These cracks do not threaten the structural integrity of your home. But, unfortunately, cracks and gaps provide the opportunity for various intruders, such as pill bugs, carpenter ants, termites, carpenter bees and insects seeking to overwinter in your home.
Insects that are attracted to your home
Think of every small hole in your home as a flashing neon 'Welcome' sign for tiny invaders. Bugs need only the slightest gap to make their way inside.
Here are five insects that will try and gain entry:
1. Ants
Ants are relentless in their pursuit of resources and can detect the smallest openings in your home, using them as gateways to invade. Watch out for ants as they travel along their scent trail to identify these points of entry. They are not just seeking shelter but are often on a quest for food, making kitchens and pantries prime targets.
Reclaim your space from these industrious invaders. Read How to get rid of ants. Liberate your sanctuary from these small but mighty insects once and for all.
2. Flies
These winged invaders, with large movable heads and compound eyes, enter anyway they can: open doors or windows, damaged screens or cracks in your foundation. Does “SHUT THE DOOR” sound familiar?
Equip yourself with Dr. Killigan’s Fly Inn, a flying insect trap for windows and glass doors, with a proprietary visual attractant.
3. Mosquitoes
Buzzzzzz. We’ve all heard—and detested—this pestering noise. If you hear a mosquito, you're likely about to get bitten. Beware: Mosquitoes inject their saliva to numb the skin, masking their bloodsucking activity. What draws them to our heads? It's the carbon dioxide we exhale, especially attractive to female mosquitoes who transmit diseases like West Nile and Zika viruses.
Safeguard your home against these buzzing invaders. Read Keeping mosquitoes away from your home.
4. Roaches
German cockroaches, American cockroaches and other roaches are flexible, speedy and pervasive. They can go without food, water, (and their heads!) and can hold their breath. They also love chocolate. Common entry points include drains and gaps around door and window frames.
Keep these fast, potentially headless creatures out of our homes by using Dr. Killigan’s Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray.
5. Bees
Bees seeking a new home might find their way into yours through openings that are often overlooked. Common entry points include chimneys, various types of vents (like stove, bathroom, or dryer vents) and any gaps or cracks in your walls. In the United States, the most common bees you might encounter include honey bees and bumble bees, both of which can establish nests in quiet, undisturbed parts of a house.
Prevent an unwanted bee settlement by regularly inspect the exterior of your home for potential entry points. Use a pair of binoculars to check high and hard-to-reach areas where bees might begin constructing a nest. Sealing these entrances early can help avoid issues before bees become a more significant problem inside your home.
For further guidance on specific pests that may try entering your home, consider these resources:
Spiders: The grey house spider (plus 8 other indoor species)
Stink bugs: How to get rid of baby stink bugs
Gnats: The most effective gnat spray for indoor and outdoor plants
Dust mites: Hidden threats in your home: Unmasking insect diseases and dust mite dangers
Earwigs: How to get rid of earwigs
How to keep insects away from your home
Conducting timely home repairs is essential for keeping bugs at bay. When you have done your part and still find your home as the unwilling host to a slew of unwanted guests, then you need to rely on bug experts. Dr. Killigan’s has created a line of highly rated non-toxic pest control products that effectively dispose of bugs, both indoors and out:
Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray: An on-contact spray that will dispose of 50+ bug types. It offers a powerful combination of three oils— soybean, cinnamon and clove—and is safe to use around pets, children and food.
Pantry Moth Traps: Target pantry moths with these non-toxic, pheromone-infused glue traps. Featuring a user-friendly trifold design that eliminates the need for separate wafers, these traps blend seamlessly into your kitchen with their stylish appearance.
Clothes Moth Traps: Similar to the pantry moth traps, these are designed for clothing moths and include a built-in hook for easy hanging in closets. The trap's discreet design camouflages it within your wardrobe, catching moths without creating an eyesore.
The Fly Inn: More elegant than traditional fly ribbons, The Fly Inn attaches to windows with suction cups, trapping flies attracted to sunlight. Its lattice design keeps it looking stylish while remaining functional.
The Insect Buster: A robust bulb designed for dispersing diatomaceous earth or Dust to Dust Plant-Powered Insect Powder—a faster, safer alternative. This tool reaches into nooks and crannies where sprays cannot, providing effective control against a wide range of insects.
For a full line of Dr. Killigan’s products, including Sweet Surrender Fruit Fly Trap and Cedar Planks Clothes Moth Repellent, visit our complete product line page.
The best non-toxic solution for pest control
Our team of professionals is dedicated to perfecting the art of Killing Them Softly. Dr. Killigan’s has designed toxin-free products that are not only safe to use around pets and children, but are also created with style. We aim to help you rid your home of intruders and restore your peace of mind. Our dream is life without bugs: safely, peacefully and with serious class.
We continually strive to offer the best non-toxic solutions for pest control, ensuring your home remains a sanctuary free from unwanted guests. All our products carry a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not 100% satisfied for any reason, contact us, and we will not hesitate to make things right.
