DECATUR, Ala. — They are creepy and crawly and most people don't want them in their house, uninvited. Why are bugs such a huge problem during the summer? And how you can prevent them from taking over your home.
Ants, flies, spiders...these bugs are meant to be outside.
Summertime is when pest control companies see homeowners having the biggest issue with bug infestation especially in the kitchen.
Kristin Stevens, Cook's Pest Control Training Director, says, "They are often seen trailing on counter tops, maybe near garbage, near anywhere there is food leftover, perhaps the kitchen sink."
She said pests are in your home for three reasons: food, water, and shelter, so here are some tips to keep them outside and away from you:
- Make sure you remove food and water laying around on your counters.
- Close all exterior doors.
- Pick up your pet's droppings is important to keep flies away.
- Turning off lights at night can prevent bugs from coming in when you walk in the door.
If you aren't cautious, it can get out of hand. Stevens says, "They would be coming out of things, they would be in your food, in your cabinets, they would be everywhere."
And she said if it does get out of hand, call an exterminator.
If you want to learn about bugs and other critters, Cook's Pest Control runs the Cook Museum of Natural Science, a state-of-the-art natural science museum in downtown Decatur, AL.