How To Keep Bugs Out of Window Sill

The summer is full of activities. We love some of them, like longer days, warmer temperatures, and weekends at the lake.

However, it also brings things that most of us would prefer not to have, like humidity, scorching sun, and bugs.

While you can’t do anything about the other drawbacks of summer, you can take action against the bugs. So, how to keep bugs out of the window sill?

Let’s check out the effective ways to keep the bugs out of the windowsill.

10 Simple Ways To Keep Bugs Out of Window Sill

You can select from any of the below-mentioned methods to keep your window sills bug-free:

1. Use Bug-Repellant Sprays

Using bug repellant is the first step in preventing insects from entering your home through your windows.

Even though your windows and screens are brand new and in excellent shape, some microscopic bugs like gnats can still enter through extremely small gaps.

Be careful while using bug-repellent sprays because some of them contain dangerous chemicals that, if inhaled, can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory conditions.

Instead, you can use natural repellants to keep bugs away. Orange oil is a fantastic all-natural insect repellant. This eliminates numerous bug species, including termites, flies, and ants.

Just be cautious about where you use it, as it can also harm pollinators and other helpful insects like bees.

Citronella oil, which is derived from the citronella plant, is another all-natural repellent that mosquitoes dislike. However, if you have pets, avoid using citronella oil, as it can be detrimental to cats and dogs.

2. Trim and Clean Your Yard

An overgrown lawn can harbor a lot of insects and bugs. Keeping your lawn cut enhances the sun’s ability to dry the ground and reduces the water pests require to survive.

If there are clumps of garbage lying about, the clusters may cause more pest problems. A mound of decaying leaves traps moisture and offers a plethora of food to an insect swarm.

On the other hand, a clean backyard will appear less appealing to pests and more welcoming to visitors.

3. Minimize Standing Water in Your Yard

There are many bugs that lay their eggs in water, but none are as unwelcome at outdoor gatherings as mosquitoes.

Although many summertime bugs are only minor annoyances, mosquitoes are the most effective at ruining an otherwise lovely outdoor evening.

Make sure there is nothing around the property that will collect rainwater. If you must, ensure to empty them frequently to remove bugs’ habitats and reduce the number of mosquitoes you have to deal with throughout the summer.

Think about installing a solar fountain if you have a birdbath.

4. Repair Cracks

Given that many bugs are microscopic in size, they could enter a house through cracks or openings that are almost invisible to the homeowner. Thus, one of the greatest ways to bug-proof your home is to seal any outside cracks.

One useful rule to remember is that if a pencil can fit through a crack or opening, so can a tiny mouse and an endless stream of insects.

Start by conducting a careful inspection of your home’s exterior. Look for loose or crumbling brick, rotten wood, or foundation cracks.

The most effective approach to filling these cracks is using a caulk applied with an expanding foam gun. Give the window seal a thorough cleaning before starting to caulk or use expanding foam.

5. Fix Rips and Holes in the Window Screen

Even if your window screens appear to be in perfect condition, they may include small holes that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.

You can patch minor tears and holes using transparent nail polish. You can weave a larger piece of screen over a hole with a medium-sized rip.

Since bugs can almost always find a way in, it is a good idea to fully replace the screen if there are too many or too large holes in it.

6. Grow Plants That Repel Bugs

You can grow certain plants that deter insects in your yard and planter boxes next to your windows.

Plant Name	Purpose
Marigolds	Grow marigolds if you want to keep insects and plant lice away.
Mint	Plant mint to ward off ants, spiders, and mosquitoes.
Basil	Mosquitoes and houseflies are repelled by basil.
Lavender	Use lavender to keep mosquitoes and gnats away.
Chives	Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies are deterred by chives.
Petunias	Petunias keep tomato worms, leafhoppers, and asparagus beetles.
Bay Leaves	Bay leaves keep roaches and fly away.
Garlic	Use garlic to get rid of flies, moths, and maggots.
Rosemary	Rosemary can eliminate several smaller bugs.

7. Keep Your House Clean

If you keep your backyard clean and still find bugs wandering around your window, they might be trying to find food sources inside your house.

Make sure you pay extra attention to areas like your dining room and kitchen because even the smallest bit of leftover food might attract pests.

After every meal, thoroughly clean your countertops and tables, being sure to reach under and behind any dishes, containers, and decorative objects.

Ensure that there is no food remaining in the sink and that the trash can is clean and completely closed.

Keep in mind to store all leftover food in airtight containers as well.

8. Set Ant Traps

Ants can be a major issue during the spring and summer as they try to infiltrate your home in search of food and water.

You can purchase a variety of ant traps, but some of the most popular ones come with liquid or solid bait.

You have to apply liquid bait to the sills of your windows. They have a toxin and sugar water that draws ants. After eating it, the ants would transport the poison back to their colony to harm the other ants.

Solid baits function similarly and include pesticides that, when swallowed by ants, kill them.

9. Consider Replacing Your Windows

It could be time to replace your old windows if you’ve tried all of the above-mentioned solutions but still have issues with bugs in your window sill.

This will also assist in keeping your home heated or cooled and more energy-efficient.

Generally, the price to replace an old window ranges from $300 to $700. To learn more, speak with your neighborhood window installer.

10. Encourage Natural Predators

One of the simplest ways to bug-proof your home is to use the insects’ natural predators. The primary food source for many birds and bats is small insects. Swallows and warblers, in particular, are effective insect repellents.

Add trees and bushes where birds can build nests to entice them to assist with your pest management.

Put out fresh water and replace it frequently to prevent it from becoming stagnant. To supplement their insect-based diet, consider including a feeder for birdseed or honey.

Even though bats have the potential to help decrease bug populations, many homeowners may be reluctant to welcome them into their yards.

Fortunately, bats only fly at night and sleep during the day, so you probably won’t even notice them. They’ll be working hard to get rid of bugs while you’re asleep so they can’t get inside your house.

Conclusion

There are several natural and DIY steps that you can use to keep bugs out of the window sills. Even though you don’t need professional pest controllers to eliminate these bugs, you can take their help if the situation gets out of your control.