Ever get the feeling you’re not alone? Look closely and you may find that you have some squatters living in your home. Here’s what you can do to seek them out and get them to leave.
The pest: Dust mites
The hazard: About 30% of people are allergic. And although the mites measure just one-third of a millimeter, they can worsen asthma symptoms.
How to exterminate: Wash your bedding in 120°F or hotter water, and vacuum under your bed regularly. Also, seal your box spring with a plastic cover.
The pest: Brother-in-law
The hazard: He said he’s just “crashing for a couple days,” but you’re afraid it’ll turn into full time. And he’s created some sort of funky odor on the couch.
How to exterminate: Don’t quietly seethe and let tension about the potential of a long stay build up. Call him out on any annoying habits, which is lots better than letting the couch contract the odor permanently. And give him some chores around the house. Maybe he’ll even get the hint and start packing sooner.
The pest: Fungus
The hazard: That slimy-feeling stuff in the shower could be fungus, which may cause athlete’s foot.
How to exterminate: Wash your shower weekly with a soap-scum remover, and clean once a month using 1.5 ounces of bleach mixed with 1 quart of water. Don’t forget to clean the showerhead, which is a little-known fungus hotel.
The pest: Rodents
The hazard: Droppings can spread illnesses, including the infectious lung disease hantavirus.
How to exterminate: Spring traps—lots of them. Try about a dozen arranged under cabinets and along walls. Ditch the cliché cheese bait; uncooked rolled oats or peanut butter works best—especially when you change it every few days.
The pest: Fleas
The hazard: Along with driving your pets crazy, they can make you itch like mad, too.
How to exterminate: Use hot water to wash pet bedding and loose carpets. Vacuum at least weekly and dump the vacuum bag outdoors. While you’re on a cleaning spree, bathe your furry pals (cats, too) with pet-friendly shampoo and use a flea comb until the problem is solved.
The pests: Ants and cockroaches
The hazard: Their little legs track in bacteria and allergens. Kids who are exposed to cockroaches are twice as likely to develop asthma as those with no contact.
How to exterminate: For ants, simply fill a spray bottle with soapy water and fire away; it safely rains on an ant parade by cleaning the chemical signposts left by the insects, stopping the rest of the colony in its tracks. For roaches, use store-bought sticky traps, or make your own by placing a piece of banana inside a Mason jar and lining the inside rim with petroleum jelly. Place the jars under sinks and near where pipes enter the home. Soon roaches will crawl in to feast but won’t be able to escape from the slippery lip. When you find where they hang out most often, put boric acid into nearby cracks.
The pest: Your grown-up kid who won’t move out
The hazard: The little birdie won’t leave the nest and seems to think that Mom and Dad will support him indefinitely.
How to exterminate: Have your kid contribute to the household expenses. Even if it’s not a lot, the regular amount will help get him ready to be on his own. (You can even put the money into an interest-bearing account to give back later.) Then, set a realistic date for him to leave and help him work toward that goal.
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