How to Get Rid of Bugs Outside Your House

This page is an expert guide on getting rid of bugs from your property using the products and methods suggested by our experienced pest control specialists. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee you will be successful in eliminating bugs.

Seeing a cockroach running behind the cabinets, mosquitoes flying over your porch, or wasps buzzing near your window are unpleasant sights no one wants to see. Bugs are a nuisance when they come inside the house and can also be an issue outside if you are trying to enjoy time out in your yard or on your patio.

Bugs are a serious problem, especially during the summer season, because that’s when bugs are most active, and your house naturally seems inviting to them. If you are among those who have a bug problem on your property, you would know that using a bug spray from a big box store is not enough – they always seem to come back. What you need is a permanent solution, a way to make your house off-limits to pests.

To keep annoying bugs away from your house, follow our guide below for advice and top product recommendations for dealing with infestations.

Identification

All kinds of pests can commonly settle around your home—from cockroaches to spiders, ants, flies, beetles, and more. It's important to identify which pest you have so you can get an idea of how to approach treatment and focus on the areas where they like to gather.

If you spot an insect, get a close look and note its physical traits, namely its size, whether it has wings, and where it is found. If, for any reason, you are unsure of what pest you are dealing with, contact our staff, and we will be glad to assist you in identifying the bug.

Inspection

Once you have identified the bug, you will want to look around your yard to see what conditions are drawing them to your home and gauge how big of an infestation you have on your hands. Inspection can vary from pest to pest.

Where To Inspect

Scan around your yard for your target pest. They are likely to be found on your lawn or near trees and shrubs. Some plant-eating pests may be found in your garden. You should also look around your home's perimeter to see if bugs are accessing a point of entry.

What To Look For 

What you should be looking for will depend on the target bug. For example, if you have ants, you will want to look for any ant trails or ant mounds that may have been formed in your yard. For spiders, you will want to look for spider webs that may be built around the exterior of your home or one fencing, etc. For mosquitoes, you will want to look for areas with stagnant water. The signs of activity will vary, but you are mainly looking for places where they are concentrated to note how big of an infestation you may have and what conducive conditions attract them.

Treatment

Depending on the type of bug infesting your yard or home, specific products can effectively kill the target insect and keep it away from your home.

Two products, in particular, will work best for most bugs because of their broad label. First, you can apply Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules to the turf and mulch areas surrounding the home and then spray the granules with Supreme IT Insecticide. You can also use Supreme IT as a barrier perimeter treatment to keep bugs out of your home.

Remember to read all the product labels, follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Step 1: Outdoor Treatment with Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules

Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules is a granular insecticide labeled to treat many common insects that may infest your yard. This product has a residual effect that can last up to three months and can be broadcast over your entire yard to address the bug problem.

The typical application rate is 2.3 pounds of Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules to treat 1,000 square feet of lawn.

To broadcast the Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules, you could use a push or hand spreader like the Plantmates Scatterbox. While both styles are easy to use, a broadcast may be better suited for more extensive lawns as it holds more granules than a hand spreader and can quickly cover a lot of ground.

If you need to spread granules on a flowerbed, around trees, or over a smaller area and want to do it quickly yet precisely, the Plantmates Scatterbox hand spreader is ideal.

Determine how much Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To find the square footage, measure the treatment area's length and width in feet, then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). 

After measuring the square footage of your lawn, add the appropriate amount of Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules to your spreader and then broadcast it uniformly over your entire lawn while walking at a steady pace. Spread the product in flower beds, around trees, and where you have noticed bug activity.

Step 2: Spray Supreme IT around the Yard and Perimeter

Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide labeled for treating over 70 insect pests. It also has a long residual effect that kills for up to 90 days after application.

To apply Supreme IT, simply mix water in a hand pump or hose-end sprayer, then add Supreme IT at a rate of 1 oz per gallon to cover 1,000 sq. ft.

Measure the square footage of your lawn to determine how much Supreme IT you need to cover the entire area. Shake well and pump your sprayer.

Broadcast the Supreme IT mixture to activate the Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules and spray your yard and garden instead of spot-treating. Use a fan spray setting to get excellent uniform coverage.

Next, you should spray a perimeter treatment of Supreme around the outside of your home and structure to create a barrier that will keep bugs out. Spray around doors and windows, around the foundation going up 2 or 3 feet, and then spray any other possible entry points.

Prevention

After the bug problem has been eliminated, you will need to make sure they don't make a return by implementing some preventative measures.

• Don’t leave leftovers on kitchen countertops or crumbs lying around. They attract insects of all kinds. Preserve them in airtight jars with rubber lids and clean up after dropped crumbs. The same goes for your trash can. Be sure to secure the lid on it every time it is used.
• Clean up leaf litter and other debris around your yard to remove bug-hiding spots. Trimming your lawn so it's not overgrown also makes your yard unappealing for bugs.
• Inspect the exterior of your home for any wall gaps, cracks, or holes in the walls and vents. If you find any, have them sealed or filled with caulk.
• Address any leakage or drainage issues around your yard where standing water may accumulate.
• Trim bushes and trees away from your house. When walls come in contact with trees, bugs can find an easier way inside the house since they love wood.
• Lastly, spray Supreme IT quarterly around your home and yard for continued beetle and insect control.

Key Takeaways

What Bugs Are Found Outside Your Home?

• Many different species of bugs can infest your yard and home and create problems. The first step in treating them is identifying the pest.

How To Get Rid of Bugs Outside Your House

• Treat your yard with Valar Plus Bifenthrin Granules and Supreme IT, and use Supreme IT as a barrier treatment to control the bug population.

Preventing Future Bug Infestations

• Seal points of entry around your home, reduce clutter and spray Supreme IT quarterly to prevent the most common bug infestations.