7 × goodbye bugs!

Even the tidiest person may sometimes get some uninvited, untidy guests. Here are some of the best tips for getting rid of everyday insects, along with information on when a resident in a rental home should report pests to their housing provider.

1. Sugar ants

Small sugar ants can find their way indoors in search of food during the spring. Often the problem disappears when the weather gets warmer, and food becomes available outdoors.

If these fast-moving visitors, also known as garden ants, are bothering you, try to find out how they are getting inside. You can sprinkle cinnamon or salt at the entry point, which often helps the ants find another route. Ants can also be removed using an insecticide.

If you have a pet at home, avoid using insecticides or choose a product that is safe for animals.

2. Wasps

A wasp may build a nest even on a balcony. Act promptly if you notice wasps regularly buzzing around your home. Spray liquid insecticide into the nest’s entrance hole late in the evening or at night when the wasps are inside. The nest can also be cut off, placed in a bag and disposed of.

If you are allergic to wasp stings, do not attempt to remove the nest yourself under any circumstances.

Wear long-sleeved clothing. It is advisable to protect your face with a scarf or a mosquito hat. Place the destroyed nest in a plastic bag and dispose of it safely.

3. Silverfish

The quick, silvery silverfish prefers damp areas such as the bathroom. It feeds on hair, dead skin and dirt, among other things.

There is no need to worry about a few silverfish, and you can try to get rid of them with home methods. You can keep them away by carefully drying floor and wall surfaces after showering and keeping the bathroom, including the floor drain, clean. Additionally, it is worth pouring almost boiling water into all drains morning and evening, followed by a splash of vinegar.

If you notice a large number of silverfish, please contact your housing provider, as the issue may be due to a moisture problem. As a resident in a SATOhome, the easiest way to report this is through OmaSATO.

4. Paper silverfish

The paper silverfish is a relatively new arrival in Finland. It closely resembles the regular silverfish but is larger and hairier. Almost omnivorous, the paper silverfish feeds on anything from wallpaper to textiles and can live in any room of the home as long as there is food available.

As paper silverfish usually enter the home via packaging materials, it is advisable to take cardboard boxes from parcels or food deliveries to the waste collection point as soon as possible.

Paper silverfish are more challenging to remove than regular silverfish, but you can reduce their numbers by vacuuming thoroughly, maintaining general cleanliness and storing food in closed containers. It is advisable to dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag immediately after vacuuming. You can also try to catch the insects using glue traps.

5. Cockroaches and bedbugs

Cockroaches, bedbugs and other exotic insects can often arrive in your home after trips abroad. For this reason, it is advisable to empty and vacuum your suitcase outside before bringing it indoors. Wash textiles at a minimum of 60°C or place them in a tumble dryer for at least an hour if the material allows. Alternatively, textiles and other items can be frozen either in a freezer or outdoors at a temperature of at least -17°C.

Always wash clothes bought from flea markets and check other second-hand items carefully.

If you unfortunately notice bedbugs in your home, report them to your housing provider immediately. This way, the problem can be addressed quickly, preventing the pests from spreading to neighbouring homes.

Please do not move bedbug-infested items yourself, for example to the waste collection point, to avoid spreading the insects to stairwells or other common areas.

6. Fruit flies

The harmless fruit flies that hover in kitchens are often attracted by the smell of fruit. Often, the problem can be solved by disposing of old fruit in the biowaste bin. You can also lure the flies to drown themselves. Fill a container with 60 per cent water, 40 per cent apple cider vinegar, and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Leave the container in the kitchen overnight, and by morning, the flies will have gathered in the mixture. Use apple cider vinegar, as ordinary vinegar does not attract the flies.

7. Aphids

Aphids and many other insects can trouble plants in the summer, especially if the growing environment is sunny and dry. Balcony plant insects can be sprayed with nettle water, which is made from one kilogram of fresh or around two hundred grams of dried nettles and ten litres of water. Leave the mixture to stand for 24 hours and use it as it is.

A liquid soap solution is also suitable for controlling many insects. Add a couple of tablespoons of liquid soft soap to one litre of water and spray the plants thoroughly.

 

This content has been translated with the help of generative AI. Tämä sisältö on käännetty generatiivisen tekoälyn avulla.