Insects and Spider Control by Simpl

Why Bugs and Insects are Attracted to the Living Room

While living room bugs and insects might not fully appreciate a nice reclining chair or HD television, they still make the most of all the amenities living rooms have to offer. Typically, larger in size relative to other rooms, living rooms provide pests with ample hiding spots out of human sight. In particular, carpets serve as shelter and even food for some living room bugs like ants and beetles. For other pests that follow carpet-free diets, food crumbs left behind from TV dinners or late-night snacks will more than satisfy their appetites. Aside from these attractants, living rooms generally have greater accessibility for pests compared to other parts of the house. They are typically located on the first floor and near the front door, and also tend to have multiple windows, providing numerous entry points for pests. Additionally, living rooms accommodate a great deal of foot traffic relative to other rooms, giving any hitchhiking bugs ample opportunities to ride in on clothing, personal items or pets.

Tips to Prevent Bugs & Insects in the Living Room

Ensure that pests do not spoil a family movie night or get together by following these pest-proofing tips for the living room. Start by sealing any cracks or crevices along the interior and exterior of the living room with a silicone-based caulk, steel wool or a combination of both. Also consider replacing broken windows, repairing ripped screens and installing weather stripping. Inside, maintain a clean and clutter-free living room by disposing of any leftover food and routinely vacuuming to pick up crumbs and pet hair. As people and pets move in and out of the living room, make sure they do not bring any unwanted visitors with them. Check outdoor pets for any bugs attached to them and have people remove shoes and other dirty clothing before getting comfortable on the couch.

Threats Posed by Living Room Bugs

While small living room insects might not seem like much of a problem, they do, in fact, pose some serious threats. Bed bugs can cause itchy welts after they have bitten. Both ants and house flies can contaminate food, the latter capable of transferring over 100 different pathogens such as typhoid, tuberculosis and salmonellosis. While bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases, these elusive pests will bite and cause red, itchy welts. Occasional invaders, including ladybugs, carpet beetles and stink bugs, do not pose any significant health risks but can become a nuisance if left unaddressed.