SAN ANTONIO – Summer is the perfect season for insects to invade your home. It’s hot and humid and the pests are in survival mode.

KSAT spoke to a San Antonio technician who said insects like staying indoors just as much as we do.

“If (insects) are crawling along your house and sense the cool air coming from a crack, they’re going to turn around and want to get into the house,” said Russell Childres, a technician with A-Bear Pest Control.

Insects usually come into houses because it is cooler there and they feel protected.

“We need food, water and shelter. That’s what they want,” Childres said. “They will settle where they can get a good meal quickly and easily. It all depends on nature and how it evolves.”

While it may be easier to call a pest control company for help, Childres recommends some steps homeowners can take to keep their home pest-free.

“Sealing all the cracks, gaps and gaps around the door is great,” Childres said.

Some brick homes have drip holes that are placed there to allow the home to “breathe.” Childres said that these types of holes should be dusted and not plugged. Drip holes allow air to circulate in the home. If they are plugged, mold can grow in the home.

“(Pests) just go where the food source goes. They will follow it,” Childres said.

He also recommended that homeowners maintain a clearance of 30 to 60 cm around the house.

While this may be more difficult, pests know that if they cross an open area, they will be seen and eaten by birds or other insects, Childres said.

“Raking the leaves is another thing. It retains a lot of moisture and a lot of straw. You can find all sorts of little bugs and scorpions, spiders and cockroaches. They all live in that patch,” Childres said.

General garden maintenance is always beneficial. Keeping your lawn trimmed short can help keep pests away on hot summer days.

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