How to Prevent Bugs from Coming Through Window Screen (Easy Checklist)

Seeing bugs on the outside of windows and ledges is one thing but having them come inside is a whole other.

With the rainy season right around the corner, you need to start bug-proofing your home, making sure that they stay away.

If you have issues with bugs in the home, they may slip through screens, something that you may be able to prevent.

Below, we’ll take a look at 6 of the top tips to keep bugs away, giving you all you need to keep your home bug-free all spring and summer long.

Why Bugs Like Windows?

What is it about your window screens that make bugs so attracted to them? Well, for the most part, it has to do with moisture.

They may find a sweet spot where they can feel the breeze running through, enjoying the shade.

They could also love the sun, using it as a place to layout and enjoy. Some bugs will also hang out on the screen to get access to water or food, using your screen as a feeding ground.

If they can slip through, they often prefer to be in your home, with access to shelter and food.

Because your screens are the border between the indoors and the outdoors, it’s important to keep them clean and free from opportunities to sneak into your home and start to settle.

For a look at how you can do that, check out our 6 tips below.

6 Tips for Keeping Bugs Away from your Window Screens

Tip #1. Spray, Spray, Spray

If there is one thing that bugs can’t stand, it’s insect repellant. These days, the market is full of all different kinds, some of them with ingredients that are not harmful to the home.

They can tackle a wide range of bugs, including those that fly and crawl.

What to do:

To use this method to keep bugs from getting through your window screens, all you’ll need is your window screen and some repellant.

Then, simply get to spraying. You might want to do it in a well-ventilated area, making sure you don’t breathe in a ton of it in the process.

Also, you may want to spray, wait for it to dry up, and then add another coat or two for extra repelling power.

Once it’s dry and the repellant has set in, pop it back into the window and watch as it gets the job done. Bugs won’t come near it, and if they do, they won’t be hanging around for long.

Tip #2. Keep Screens Clean

Some of us are not the best housekeepers, especially in the winder. The colder months make us want to stay inside and snuggle, leaving all of our deep-cleaning duties for the spring.

While that’s okay, some of the users take longer than others, with bugs coming into the season sooner than we know it.

That’s why keeping the screen clean can make a big difference, keeping dirty screens from attracting creepy crawlers.

What to do:

Keeping your screen clean is simple, especially if you do it often. Try and get on a cleaning schedule that allows you to keep your screen clean, rinsing it off and spraying it with cleaners when you need to.

Start by removing the screen from the window. Then, use a dish soap and water hose to scrub it and rinse it.

Once you’re done, leave it out to dry completely before adding it back to your window.

You can always add repellant after, though keeping it clean will ensure that bugs are not trapped, and they’re not attracted to any buildup you have from gusts and dust.

Tip #3. Seal the Cracks

Bugs are good at slipping through cracks. Though you might not be able to see them straightway, your home could have small cracks that serve as an entrance for bugs.

Since your windows are sometimes open and leave room for air to come inside, you’ll need to keep them sealed to avoid unexpected visitors.

What to do:

Start by checking all of your windows for small cracks that surround the screens. In any place that you have them, remove the screen and add a layer of caulk all the way around.

This will give it a good seal and ensure there are no small gaps when you add the window screen back on.

Be sure that before you caulk, you wipe your window seals clean, freeing them from dust and dirt so it doesn’t get trapped under the caulking.

Tip #4. Replace Ripped Screens

Mesh screens are pretty sturdy but, they are not invincible. As time goes on, your window screens will likely take a beating.

Through different types of weather and normal wear and tear, the screens could need replacing every few years.

What to do:

Replacing screens is simple and affordable. You’ll need to make sure that you have the proper measurements for the window screens you’re replacing before buying.

Then, purchase your screens and make sure that they’re the right size before adding them on.

You’ll want to do this more often if you live in an area with high winds and lots of rain or if you start to see signs like rust and buildup.

Tip #5. Replace your Windows

Sometimes, it’s not only the screen’s fault but the windows’ too. Some bugs are tiny enough to squeeze through screens, making it into the home if the windows are cracked or not sealed properly.

If you have issues with bugs in your home, you may need to replace the entire window.

What to do:

For this, you may need to call the pros, allowing them to measure and find the types of windows that fit best with your home.

This is a little more costly, especially if replacing with windows that keep out sound and certain weather conditions.

Get an estimate first and make sure to get an expert opinion before doing so, ensuring that you’re not purchasing the wrong window and that you’re installing them correctly.

Tip #6. Citronella Anyone? 

Citronella is a great way to keep bugs away plus, it’s an alternative to repellant. The oil has a smell that keeps the peskiest bugs away, allowing you to slab it on your window screens when you need to.

This is an affordable option and one that is not ridden with chemicals.

What to do:

To get this done, you’ll need some citronella. You can find it at your local home and garden stores and even in some supermarkets.

Then, remove your screen and make sure it’s nice and clean. Then, simply add the citronella onto your screens.

You’ll want to do this a few times a month, increasing the frequency if you live in an area with an abundance of bugs.

Why You Should Keep Your Yard Tidy

Apart from keeping the focus on your windows and screens, it’s also important to keep your yard tidy and clean.

Keeping your yard clean is necessary for keeping bugs away, as you keep them from accumulating and possibly getting into your home.

Some things that you should keep up in your yard include:

–         Keep all of the grass trimmed

–         Keep all of the hedges trimmed

–         Keep an eye out for nests in the yard and around the home

–         Spray your yard with repellant

All of these will work together to stop bugs before they start and prevent them from ever making it up to your window and into your home.

Know When to Call for Help

While most issues can be resolved with our 6 tips, some infestations require expert intervention. When bugs take over your home, you may need to call the pros, having them come in and take care of the problem before it gets further out of control.

Some things to look for if you think that your bug problem is getting out of control are:

–         Lots of bugs in the home

–         Bugs swarming in your yard

–         Nests in many areas

–         Chips in the walls

While some pros can be costly, they could be necessary to keep your home bug free. When bugs find a way in, they often settle and start to reproduce, which is why they can be difficult to take care of.

Keep your screens Bug Free

You might notice that your window screens are filled with bugs, but that’s not means to panic. There are some things that you can do to keep your screens clean and free from bugs.

The key is to stop invasions before they start, keeping your entire home bug-proofed.

Start on the furthest corners of your yard and work your way toward your home, ensuring that all of those creepy crawlers from the outside have no way to come inside.

If they do, stopping them quickly is key, beating them before they can settle in and make your home, their home.

Alright, that’s it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads:

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