10 Things In Your Home That Are Secretly Attracting Bugs, According to an Expert
These spots might be responsible for your infestation.
When the weather heats up, the sun starts beating down, and the air turns thick with moisture, you probably flee the humidity in search of sweet relief, whether that be a dip in the pool, a trip to the beach, or simply an afternoon spent in your air-conditioned living room. Just like we flee the extreme heat during the summer months, bugs do, too. In the summertime, insects like ants, mosquitoes, wasps, flies, ticks, and roaches break out of hibernation and seek out the indoors, which—unfortunately for us—means our own houses.
Our homes are an appealing summer retreat for critters. While dirty dishes, forgotten crumbs, and abandoned spills are some of the most obvious culprits of a bug-infested home (whether you’re dealing with a massive swarm or a few creepy crawlers), there are some sneaky spots in your living space that might be attracting them in droves.
Some household items may seem harmless on the surface, but they can invite unwanted critters into your home—without you even knowing it. Think: strong scents, damp crevices, and unsealed entryways. It doesn’t matter how consistently you sweep the floors, scrub the counters, run the dishwasher, or take out the trash—if you don’t detect and deal with these major bug magnets, pests can still prevail. Their presence isn’t just a nuisance—an infestation can cause structural damage, transmit diseases, and contaminate food.
Whether you’re looking to prevent insects or tackle an infestation, be sure to inspect these surprising things in your home that are secretly contributing to critters, according to Roy Gotiangco, general manager of Broadway Pest Services.
How to keep more bugs at bay:
Pet Food
If you’ve ever walked by a bag of kibble, you know its overpowering scent. So, when hungry bugs come by, pet food is extremely enticing. Pet food has a significant amount of protein and fat that pests like ants, roaches, moths, and beetles crave. Instead of leaving opened bags out and easily accessible, store kibble in airtight containers.
Ripe Fruit
Even if you keep crumbs, grease, and spills under control, ripe fruit evokes a sugary scent that attracts fruit flies, sap beetles, and stink bugs. “Pests have highly sensitive senses and can detect food sources that people may overlook during everyday cleaning,” Gotiangco notes. An easy solution is draping mesh bags or cheesecloth over your fruit bowl to protect it from bugs.
Clogged Drains
Not only do clogged drains pose a major inconvenience, but they also attract critters, such as drain flies and roaches, given their dampness and buildup. “Moisture creates the ideal environment for pests to survive and reproduce, especially in dark, hidden areas homeowners rarely inspect,” Gotiangco explains. You can flush out blockage with boiling water and a homemade solution made with baking soda and vinegar.
Wet Cleaning Tools
Because moisture is a hotspot for critters, cleaning supplies that regularly get wet, such as mops, sponges, and rags, attract pests that feast on bacteria like drain flies and cockroaches. After using these cleaning utensils, let them fully dry before putting them away, and store them in a dry place to prevent further moisture.
Floral-Scented Candles
When pests enter the home, they usually come looking for food. Although they have strong senses, insects like flies, ants, and bees can’t tell the difference between a nectar-rich flower and a sweet-smelling candle, so your candle collection can unknowingly invite them in. If bugs are an issue, swap out powerful floral scents with ones that naturally repel pests like lavender, rose, or geranium.
Self-Watering Pots
Self-watering pots are convenient, but with built-in reservoirs that regularly dispense water, they provide a moist habitat that mosquitoes and fungus gnats love. “Water sources are essential for pest survival, especially during warmer months,” Gotiangco explains. You can prevent standing water by consistently cleaning out the reservoir and freshening up the water.
Toothbrush Holders
After using your toothbrush, water droplets drip from the bristles and land at the bottom of your toothbrush holder, where they lurk before turning to mold, which is a prime magnet for ants and drain flies. To prevent bugs from settling in and breeding, scrub your toothbrush holder every week. Be sure to let it fully dry before slotting your toothbrush back in.
Cardboard Boxes
If your recycling bin is overflowing with cardboard boxes, it could be attracting bugs like cockroaches, spiders, and silverfish. These boxes are often dark and damp, which makes them suitable shelter for insects, and they have corrugated layers that critters can hide in during shipping. After opening your packages, take out the recycling bin immediately to avoid an infestation.
Jute Bags
Whether you bring them to the beach or the grocery store, jute bags are a stylish summer accessory. But because the fabric is made of natural plant fibers, beetles and termites tend to view the accessory as food and shelter. By keeping the material consistently clean and dry, your bag won’t be as attractive to bugs.
Unsealed Vents
“Some pests can squeeze through openings much smaller than homeowners realize,” Gotiangco says. In addition to cracks in your windows, pipes, and doors, unsealed vents are another primary (and often overlooked) entry point for bugs. Roaches, spiders, and ants can crawl through these openings to access living spaces. For a DIY solution, seal vents with aluminum foil tape, a duct sealant, or a mesh screen.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
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