Insects have the uncanny ability to creep into our homes, nooks, and crannies, and live where we didn’t even know they could (or would even want to). While most homeowners find bugs in the usual suspects, such as kitchens and basements, there’s a whole other world of weird spots where creepy-crawlers like to make themselves at home. From your gadgets to your clothes, these little squatters can appear just about anywhere.
Bugs in unexpected places are not just a nuisance; they can cause property damage, contaminate food, and raise hygiene issues. The first step is to keep those crafty critters from finding these unusual hiding places. DIY methods can work for small issues, but when you have an ongoing problem, professional help from saelapest.com may be your best bet to say goodbye to these invaders.
6 Weirdest Places You Will Find Bugs Inside Your Home
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In Unworn Shoes and Bags
Seasonal shoes and sometimes-worn purses offer cool, dark hiding places for spiders, earwigs, and in some areas, even scorpions. Shake out any shoes, purses, or bags that have been sitting, including those you may have in storage, especially if they are stored in places like the basement, garage, or closets.
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Underneath Outlet Covers and Switch Plates
The slits around outlet, light switch openings lead to the wall cavities, and that is where most bugs will set up residence. Ants often used these routes to invade homes, and, for example, electric outlets were observed as points of entry in about 18% of infestations. These secret highways enable bugs to rip through houses virtually undetected.
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Inside Light Fixtures
Flying insects come to ceiling lights and lamps, and, although you may not notice them, many die inside the fixtures. Light fixtures may accumulate hundreds of insect relics over time. The build-up is unsightly and is not a fire-safe practice with hot bulbs.
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Within Book Pages
Bookworms are not only devoted readers. They are actual bugs that eat through paper and the glue that binds books. Silverfish and booklice are also found in books that have been isolated for too long in damp places. Periodically check book shelves, especially volumes not opened in years.
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Inside Your Electronics
Warm, dark environments of your computers, TVs, and gaming consoles are likely their favorite. Almost 27 percent of electronics repair professionals have discovered insect infestations while working on devices. Cockroaches especially love these places, and they make for a great nesting ground, what with the warm electronic parts nearby. Regularly inspect the vents and openings on your devices, particularly if you are experiencing unexpected performance changes.
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Behind Wall Art & Picture Frames
The small space between your wall and hanging decorations makes for ideal hiding places for spiders, silverfish, and even bed bugs, sometimes. Instead, they lie dormant for months or years, providing not only a place for pests to dwell, but for pests to set up shop. Remove and clean behind frames every few months, especially in corners, where webs and eggs can build up.
How to Get Rid Of Them?
Getting rid of bugs from these odd corners is different for everyone. In electronics, it is safe to use compressed air to blow out insects without harm to the components. Never directly spray electronic products with insecticides, which may or may not damage those appliances, but they also create a fire hazard.
On wall hangings and picture frames, eggs can be wiped off with a microfiber cloth and mild detergent and repeated every four days to discourage new nests. As natural repellents, consider dropping a few of the essential oils, such as peppermint or eucalyptus, around frame edges.
Lamp fittings should be taken apart occasionally for a good cleaning. Vacuum up dead insects and clean surfaces with a solution of white vinegar to eliminate pheromone trails that could lead to more bugs.
Books can be preserved inside if stored in cool, dry areas, with the added protection of cedar blocks or sachets of lavender in their immediate environments. For books with active infestations, the answer is to place infested books inside sealed plastic bags and put the bags in the freezer for 48 hours, which should kill most of the insects.