Pest Control & Indoor Air Quality

Nothing ruins a delicious meal like swatting gnats away from your plate or watching ants or roaches scurry across the floor. And sure, some bugs are certainly useful in the garden, but you don’t want them in your home.

Before calling in an exterminator or turning to chemical-packed sprays and traps, follow these simple tips to banish these pesky pests and keep them from coming back.

Houseflies – Common houseflies love garbage. So, sprinkle some borax in the trash bag before tying it securely and tossing it in the garbage can. Let flies and other critters know they’re not welcome by closing the lid securely and rinsing the can out once or twice a month.

Silverfish – While not harmful to humans, silverfish can ruin important documents, and beloved books, and even do a number on upholstery. They adore damp areas, too. So, if you’re seeing these wingless wonders around, it’s a good indication of a moisture problem. Inspect faucets, toilets, water supply lines, and connections for signs of leaks and repair them immediately. Also, make sure bathroom ventilation fans are working properly.

Roaches – Keep roaches away by thoroughly cleaning up after every meal and promptly putting leftovers away in air-tight containers. Still, that might not be enough. You see, roaches are drawn to any place that retains water, like a damp basement, bathtub, or sink. Even Fido’s water bowl. Repair all plumbing leaks and wipe up spills right away.

Fruit Flies – A fruit fly population can quickly be controlled by removing the source of the problem. If you see fruit flies hovering over your beautiful display of apples and oranges, check to see if any piece is starting to rot or has accidentally been punctured.

Good Bugs – Not all bugs are bad. Many are quite beneficial to the environment, like spiders, ladybugs, and some beetles that feed on smaller insects. Sure, that doesn’t mean you want them in your home. But no matter how many precautions you take and how clean your home is, you’re bound to find insects and bugs at one point or another.

Insects are bad enough when they’re alive and well but can be even worse once their little lives are snuffed out. For example, you’ve probably noticed dark spots around spider webs before—yes, they were droppings. Once they become airborne, they can cause irritation and allergies.

The best way to prevent contaminated indoor air from aggravating your allergies and asthma – and perhaps even spreading influenza A – is with a whole-house air filtration system from Bob Boldt HVAC. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free whole-house air filtration proposal.