Something bugging you? Try these tips to keep insects out of your house

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Spotting a few creepy critters around the house? With warm weather finally here, homeowners may be seeing some unwanted insects.

Megan Meuti, an Ohio State University Extension agent, researches insects and said there are few common ones to look out for.

"Most insects that try to get into your home wind up there by mistake," Meuti said. "Very few are actual like home invaders that want to be there."

But there are a few ways to reduce the likelihood of a run in with these creepy crawlies in the home.

"An ounce of prevention certainly is worth a pound of cure," Meuti said.

How to keep ants out of your house

Ants can find very small cracks and crevices to get into a home. The best ways to prevent them deciding to move in is by securing any food in the house. Without food, ants will have a harder time growing and making more babies.

Prevention tips:

• Seal off any crevices or cracks ants could use to get in
• Keep homes clean and tidy
• Secure any food in the home
• Use pesticides

Ways to prevent termite infestation

Termites thrive on anything wooden. They can eat through wooden support beams and even get into the foundation of a home.

"They can be a tremendous problem," Meuti said.

Prevention tips:

• Dispose of any dead wood
• Store firewood away from the home
• Seal off any crevices or cracks termites could use to get in
• Use pesticides

How to keep stink bugs from getting in the house

Stink bugs and lady beetles may find their way into a home far before you see them. These bugs can find their way into homes in the fall or early winter looking for a place to remain dormant during the colder months.

"There's a chance that if you start seeing them now, it's probably because they were hidden in some cracks and crevices in your basement...or crawlspace," Meuti said.

As the weather begins to warm up, these bugs may become active again.

Prevention tips:

• In the fall, secure your home by limiting places insects can get in (windows, cracks, etc.)
• Seal off crawlspaces
• Apply pesticides in the fall

Seal off food sources to deter cockroaches

Cockroaches can be a year round problem and, Meuti said, are not usually insects that would just happen to get into your home from the outside. One of the best ways to prevent them from getting into the home is sealing off food sources.

Prevention tips:

• Seal off any crevices or cracks cockroaches could use to get in
• Keep homes clean and tidy
• Secure any food in the home
• Use pesticides

Mosquitoes don't want to be in your house, 'but they do want to bite you'

Over the next few weeks, those that venture outside may start to see more mosquitoes. Meuti said just a few weeks ago, many mosquitoes began emerging from their winter dormancy and begin flying around.

"Those bugs don't necessarily want to be in your home, but they do want to bite you," Meuti said.

One way Meuti suggested helping not only yourself, but also neighbors is by limiting areas where standing water can collect. The still water creates the perfect place for mosquito larvae to grow.

Prevention tips:

• Make sure windows have secure screens
• Prevent pools of standing water (gardening pots, kids toys, tarps, etc.)
• Use a repellent with lemon eucalyptus oil or DEET

Remove ticks as soon as possible to reduce risk of disease

Ticks are usually active throughout the year, but peak during the spring, summer and fall. Ticks can be known to spread pathogens which cause diseases like Lyme disease.

Meuti said the insects usually need to attached to you for several hours before they can begin transmitting those pathogens, so removing ticks as soon as possible can reduce the risk of disease.

Prevention tips:

• Wear light colored clothes to better see ticks on your body
• Do a tick check after being in an area you suspect has ticks (such as woods or grassy areas)
• Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants
• Use a repellent with lemon eucalyptus oil or DEET