Preventing Bugs and Pests Away from Your Home
In the Kitchen
Limit where you eat. Make a rule that eating is only done in the kitchen and dining areas. The fewer areas that have been exposed to crumbs and food residue, the less risk of an invasion you'll have.
Clean the floor daily. Whether you choose to sweep or vacuum, clean the floor daily. Food and residue need to be removed quickly so that bugs won't be attracted to the mess. Missing a day may be just enough to attract some unwanted visitors to an unintended feast.
Tackle spills quickly. Just as your messy floor can become an invitation to pests, spilled areas throughout the kitchen can beckon to bugs. Be sure to move furniture and appliances to be sure all the residue of a spill has been cleaned.
Wash dishes. Waiting to wash the dishes isn't a great idea. Even soaking dishes can be an attraction for bugs if they are left for an extended period of time. When dishes are washed, be sure to drain any dish water, and wipe down the sink.
Clear the drain. Be sure that any slow moving drains are cleared and cleaned. Many bugs come indoors searching for water. Be sure to repair any leaky sinks and drains in your home.
Outside Areas
Don't store wood inside. Wood, including firewood, should not be store inside your home. This includes the garage. Bugs like wood, and wood stored inside a home or even stacked up right next to a home can be an entry point for a pest. Instead stack wood away from the house and make sure that there is room for air to circulate in the stake. This will keep the wood dry and make it less desirable for local insects.
Prune foliage near the house. Bushes, trees, and shrubs, and even flowerbeds that touch your home can help provide additional entry points for bugs. Trim back these items to reduce the risk of an infestation.
Avoid standing water. Holes that fill up with water, children's toys, and even birdbaths can be breeding grounds for bugs. Fill in or remove places that might fill up with rain water. For birdbaths, consider draining and refilling weekly to prevent pests.