General Home Maintenance

(Michael Taylor) - So, you’ve just moved in to your dream home. Everything’s in its proper place after days of unpacking and you’re just putting the last of the dishes away in the cupboards. You lift the cardboard box off the counter to throw it away and you see…. ANTS!!! (or something equally creepy)

It has been said that there are more than 10 quintillion bugs in the world at any given time, a number generated by some 900 thousand different kinds of insects. Thankfully, North America doesn't have them all. But we still have our fair share.

Here are a few tips to keep them at bay:

* Eliminate their food supply, including water.

* Seal all cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior.

* Add weather stripping to doors, and clear caulk to seal the joint where the doorframe meets the wall.

* Install a sturdy aluminum threshold under your door. Add a door sweep to close the gap even tighter.

* Make sure your basement is clean and dry. Most spiders and beetles love dark, moist hiding places.

* Find the root of the problem, the nest, and eliminate it.

* Keep trees near your house well trimmed. Branches and leaves make a perfect bridge to the inside of your home for bugs.