How To Stop Bugs Coming In the Window At Night (Easy Checklist)

If you open the window to let the air in during warmer months, you might also invite annoying bugs.

But don’t worry. There are ways you can keep it open while keeping insects out, like using natural and artificial repellents or creating physical barriers. 

In this article, we’ll cover the ten best methods to keep the bugs from coming through your window at night. 

What Are The Best Ways To Prevent Bugs From Coming In The Window?

Insects can be very determined to get inside our houses. Here are the best ways to keep them from entering.

Add Screens 

There’s no better way to get some airflow through your living space than keeping your windows open. That’s especially true during hot summer nights.

But, that’s also the time of the year when some of the most annoying bugs are active.

The number one spot is reserved for mosquitoes, but there are lots of other insects that can enter our homes, including ants, flies and ticks. 

Probably the best bug-proof option is to install screens on all of your windows. Ideally, you should use a 20×20 mesh screen made of fiberglass or stainless steel.

Also known as a no-see-um screen, this fine mesh has such tiny holes that it won’t allow any bugs to pass through and enter your home. 

The good thing about mesh screens is that they’re quick and easy to install with just basic tools you already have at home.

Moreover, you get to keep the bugs out without using any chemicals, which is always a plus in our book. 

Just keep in mind that mesh this size can easily get torn or pierced. And even the tiniest hole can provide entry to annoying bugs waiting outside.

For that reason, you should check for holes or tears on a regular basis and fix them as soon as possible. 

Use Essential Oils

Certain essential oils are made from plants that bugs learned to avoid in nature. For instance, mosquitoes are unlikely to be found flying around lavender fields.

Whether they just don’t like the smell of lavender flowers or there are hidden compounds that negatively affect them in any other way is yet to be proven by science.

But what we do know is that they try to stay away as far as possible. 

So what you can do is add water and essential oils to a spray bottle and apply the mixture to your window frames.

The exact amount depends on the fragrance strength of each essential oil, but a good rule of thumb is to add about 15 drops into a small spray bottle. 

Alternatively, you could soak a cloth in the mixture of essential oil and water, then wipe down your window frame.

Finally, if it seems like bugs are too stubborn to give up, you can add essential oils to a jar and keep it on your window. 

Some of the best bug-repelling essential oils include peppermint, thyme, rosemary, citronella, and oregano. These work on different types of bugs, from mosquitoes and flies to roaches and spiders. 

Grow Pest-Repelling Plants

Instead of using essential oils, you can actually keep real plants on your windows. Most pest-repelling plants are actually herbs and can easily be grown in pots during warmer months.

Their fragrant smell comes from essential oil-containing globules. When the temperature is high, these globules start evaporating these essential oils which turn into vapor. 

These smells are usually very soothing to humans, but insects can’t stand them and will avoid them whenever possible.

Some of the most fragrant pest-repelling herbs include basil, mint, chives, neem, thyme and sage. If you want to add some color as well, you can grow petunias, marigolds, dahlias and narcissus. 

Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Another great organic solution for annoying pests is diatomaceous earth. This is a gardening pesticide that’s been used for many decades now.

Don’t worry, it’s safe for humans and pets, but very dangerous to annoying bugs.

Diatomaceous earth is a chalky white powder made of ground prehistoric fossil remains. These tiny particles are very sharp, almost like tiny razor blades.

When insects inhale these pieces, they pierce their respiratory systems, causing them to choke and die. 

To keep the bugs away from your windows, sprinkle some diatomaceous earth around the frames. If you keep potted plants on your windows, you can also dust some on the potting soil.

And don’t worry, diatomaceous earth is not dangerous to bees. That means you can safely use it even if you have flowers growing close to your windows. 

It’s worth noting that using diatomaceous earth requires direct contact with bugs to work. If any insect steps on it, it’s a death sentence.

But to deal with flying bugs properly, you should combine this method with others on this list. 

Attract Birds

Having wild birds around your house doesn’t just mean you get to enjoy their serenades every day. Aside from lighting up your day, many bird species can also keep bugs away from your windows as well.

Sparrows, woodpeckers, bluebirds, and robins are just a few common species that feast on annoying pests that try to get inside your house.

The best way to attract birds is to set up bird feeders close to your windows. Nesting boxes are also a good idea because most birds feel their younglings insects only.

If you have a garden, these setups will help you get rid of slugs and snails as well. There’s one thing to keep in mind. Birds might not show up right away, but don’t let that discourage you.

Give them a week or two to find your bird spot. Once the first bird comes, others will follow soon. 

Use Sticky Tape 

While you probably hate seeing flies hanging on your windows, you can use that to your advantage. Nowadays, you can find transparent sticky tapes that you can attach to your windows.

And as those annoying insects try to land on the window’s surface, they’ll get stuck permanently. These tapes are completely safe to use if you have pets, as they’re free of odor and dangerous chemicals.

Remember that these tapes become less sticky in time, so you’ll have to replace them after a while even if they’re not covered with insects.

On the other hand, you shouldn’t keep dead bugs on for too long, as other insects will feed on them. 

Change Your Bulbs

It’s common knowledge that insects are attracted to light sources. But did you know that not all light bulbs are the same in their eyes?

Insects generally only see ultraviolet, blue and green lights. That’s why you can usually see them flying around bright white and bluish bulbs. Yellow, orange and even red lights, on the other hand, are not as appealing to bugs.

While red light won’t give you much visibility at night, you can always switch your white lights to a bit warmer color that won’t attract insects as much.

Aside from color and brightness, insects are also attracted to heat. That’s why you should switch your incandescent and halogen lights to LED or fluorescent, if possible. 

Hang A Bug Zapper

Since we’re on the subject of lights, there are specific bulbs designed to attract and kill bugs. These are called bug zappers, and they emit ultraviolet light insects are attracted to.

But as bugs come close to the light, they get electrocuted.

It’s worth noting that bug zappers work well against most bugs, but that’s not always the case with mosquitoes. For some reason, these sneaky insects don’t often fall for the trap and completely avoid it.

This means that a bug zapper won’t completely solve your insect issues, and should be combined with other methods from this list. 

Keep A Fan Pointed At The Window

Given the fact they weigh so little, it’s no wonder that insects avoid flowing air. After all, it’s unlikely you’ll see a swarm of mosquitoes when the wind is blowing.

Now depending on where you live, it might not be windy too often. But what you can do is use a fan to create airflow and repel annoying bugs. Just place it near the window pointing outside.

Get Rid Of Freestanding Water

Stagnant water around your house is like a welcoming sign to mosquitoes, silverfish, beetles and many other bugs. And by this, we don’t mean just pools, ponds and fountains.

Birdbaths, overwatered plant pots, and garden sprinkles are also places that attract bugs. Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of insects visiting water sources around your house is to get rid of those sources.

Final Thoughts

Bugs will always see an open window as an invitation. There are tons of things you can do to keep them away from entering your home at night that doesn’t involve closing the window.

From DIY projects to natural remedies, this article has covered some of the best methods for repelling insects. But the best one is combining them all. 

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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