- There are many different ways to reduce a bug issue.
- Ladybugs - if you have a garden and are worried about aphids (pests that eat your plants) then get some ladybugs. These little beauties can eat about 50 to 60 aphids a day!
- Plants that repel mosquitoes - Lemon balm, marigolds, catnip, basil, lavender and citronella grass are all plants that mosquitoes do not like to be around.
- Remove standing water - mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. Go around your property to make sure that you don’t have old containers that have filled with rain water. If you own a bird bath make sure to change the water every second day or so.
- Work from the outside in - Bugs don't just appear from nowhere. Bug proof your home beginning with the outside so they can't get into the walls or corners to begin with. Check windows, doors, pipes, shingles and any possible routes indoors. Don't leave a crack unfilled.
- Dark red or brown spots on your bedding or clothes - You may be crushing bugs in your sleep, which will leave small stains from their blood.
- Bites on your skin - This may be the most obvious sign, though bites are often written off as coming from other types of bugs. Pay attention to the size, shape, and patterns of your bites. If they appear all in a row, you may want to check for bed bugs.
- Shed skins - Baby bed bugs shed their skin as they grow into adulthood. Look for exoskeletons around your apartment.
- Eggshells - If you find small eggshells in your furniture or bedding, you may have multiple generations of bugs. Contact an exterminator as soon as possible to arrange for an inspection.