Summer is in full swing - finally! But as much as we love this season, like all things it comes a host of unpleasantries... Sunburns, too much barbecue and yes - BUGS! Unquestionably repulsive, insects and arachnids alike may be more than just annoying. Some cause itchy or painful bites and may even carry disease. Although mother nature insists on cranking more out every year, there are at least a few simple steps we can take to rid our our homes of these nuisances. In addition to some common sense prevention and natural remedies, you'll also learn how your trusty vacuum cleaner is your greatest ally in the battle of the bugs!
TYPES OF BUGS & WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM:
FLEAS - Find these little suckers (and their eggs) in your carpet or pet beds. Natural Tip: I hear Diatomaceous Earth work wonders. This clay-like powder is made up of the fossilized remains of microscopic diatoms. When sprinkled in your rugs, the sharp edges of the fossils cut the bodies of fleas and eggs, killing them with no chemical or physical harm to you or pets. Here's an article from The Bug Squad that explains all this in detail. CRITICAL! Using a true HEPA bagged vacuum is vital to trap the fleas, tiny eggs and the fine DE powder!
TICKS - Hopefully they don't make it inside! But just in case, be sure to tidy up areas that ticks like to live and/or hide. Don't leave clutter or dirty clothes on the floor, and make sure suspected tick-riddled clothes go directly into the washer! If noticed on the floor, rugs, furniture or pet beds - your vacuum's strong agitation and/or suction gives you an upper hand at picking them up (they hold on tightly!) Be sure to get rid of the vacuum bag once you've finished your hunt. Natural Tip: Citrus and certain other essential oils make a great family-friendly repellent (just don't use EO's on your cat - It's bad for her liver!) Here's a great article on WikiHow with even more tips.
SPIDERS - Your vacuum cleaner is by far your best friend when it comes to banishing these creepy-crawlers. Not only can you keep your distance while plucking them from the ceiling fan, but if you use it to keep cabinets and floors crumb-free you'll deter bugs like roaches, ants and more. A spider isn't likely to show up for an empty buffet. If you still end up with some 8-legged guests you can use natural remedies like diatomaceous earth, vinegar or peppermint essential oil to either destroy or repel. WikiHow goes into even greater detail.
BED BUGS - Honestly, an infestation of these can be really overwhelming
(and highly "contagious") so it's usually best to call in professional reinforcements. Even still, inspect your bed - especially the big seam around the edges - carefully and frequently for any signs of bugs. Use a quality bagged machine to vacuum the mattress and the areas right next to your bed carefully. If you see something suspicious - call for help!
DUST MITES - For most of us, these microscopic monsters cause no harm, but they can pose big problems for some highly-allergic people. Dust mites feed mainly on your shed skin flakes, and some people react adversely to the proteins in the mites' excrement. Allergic folks typically need to avoid using rugs, benefit from non-porous couch materials (like leather) and must place plastic covers over their mattress - all this to prevent buildup of the mites' "food supply" and the ensuing allergens. It's beneficial to thoroughly vacuum porous surfaces where you spend a lot of time to remove the tasty dust as well as the mites and their eggs. You must use a bagged, HEPA vacuum or else those fine, microscopic particles will blow right back out of the exhaust.
MOTHS - As you enjoy your summer, moths may have discovered your off-season wool sweaters and coats. Their larvae hatch hungry and you may be upset with the "swiss cheese" you're left with to wear come fall. I like to use may 
Miele vacuum on a very low suction setting with an upholstery tool (that I use only for clothes.) With it I'll vacuum my wool coats periodically to help remove dust, road salt, lint, pet hair - and possible critters. For best results, properly launder or dry clean your coats and clothes prior to summer storage. Cedar wood (and essential oil) really does work to deter moths. Using those vacuum-sealing "Space Bags" are fantastic to consolidate bulky items, as well as seal out dust, water and yes - BUGS!
Well I'm sure you're feeling thoroughly skeeved-out...Sorry! But in case you missed the moral of the story: Prevention is always key, and a good quality, bagged, sealed-HEPA vacuum cleaner is one of your greatest weapons against creepy bugs! With it you can:
- Sneak up on live critters before they bite.
- Trap bugs inside a disposable bag where they can't escape or crawl back out of the trash can.
- Suck up the crumbs, dust and other critters that the really nasty bugs snack on.
- Eliminate microscopic bugs, eggs and dusty "byproducts" that can make you sick.
So use your vacuum cleaner to its full potential and don't let this summer BUG you!
