Homes can become infested by a wide range of the creepy and crawly-variety. For homeowners who would like to deal with their bug problems now rather than later and would rather not pay a hefty pest control bill, here are a few DIY solutions for dealing with bugs.

How to Annihilate Ants
Ants tend to be drawn to different kinds of food based on the time of year and type of ant. According to pest experts over at the Family Handyman blog, homeowners can lay out a selection of proteins, sweets, and fatty foods in their home to determine which foods their ants are most drawn to. From there, toxic ant bait that corresponds to these different “diet preferences” can be used to lay waste to any ant colonies that have found their way indoors. 

How to Terminate Termites
The most reliable method for terminating termites is through using boric acid, an ingredient in certain insecticides. Drill holes into infected wood and apply this spray to cracks and other access points to eliminate termites where they’ve established themselves. Another option for a DIY termite trap is simply laying two wetted cardboard pieces on top of one another, leaving it near a termite nest, and allowing the insects to become caught in the material. This method isn’t thought to be as effective or consistent as using high-powered poisons and baits, but can be employed as a supplemental option. Remember, when in doubt with this issue, call a local pest control specialist!

How to Slay Silverfish
Silverfish are drawn to common household items like glue, carpet fibers, and paint. So, a solid DIY way to catch silverfish is to wet a roll of newspaper and lay it out for a few days. Silverfish are likely to crawl inside the paper and can be disposed of easily. Alternatively, pest experts at Good Housekeeping recommend making use of diatomaceous earth, a white powdery substance said to be harmful to these insects.

What's wrong with this picture? 

Something looks pretty off about this picture, and it’s pretty simple to identify: too much caulk! We call this one ODIY—overdoing it yourself, probably to address a leak. More isn’t more in this case, and the new owner of this home should call in a contractor to avoid doing any damage when removing the excess caulk. 

Many families and communities are exposed to the harmful effects of lead through their homes’ drinking water, but they may not be aware of this issue until after experiencing health problems. Lead contaminants within drinking water cannot be seen or tasted, so even in regions that aren’t commonly affected by lead, homeowners should be aware of every precaution at their disposal.

What Actions Can Homeowners Take?
Common sources of lead contamination vary based on region and economic situation. Up until 1978, lead-based paint was widely used in homes. Children’s toys, jewelry, and cosmetics all pose lead contamination risks. Though drinking water might seem to be a looming threat in the battle against lead, resolving this potential contaminant source might be the most actionable for homeowners.

1. Determine Lead Contaminant
Homeowners should start by confirming whether they actually have an issue with lead in their drinking water! A suspicion is just a suspicion, initially. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), local community water systems are required to deliver an annual report on their drinking water quality each year by July 1. Even if a community’s water is clean, a home can be affected by out-of-date piping. Homeowners can order a water quality test to determine the status of their home’s personal water supply. (Contact your local NPI inspector to ask about water quality testing.)

2. Implement a Filtration Plan
If a home’s drinking water does test highly for lead content, filters can be used to great effect. Filters can be directly applied to faucets as well as shower heads, and there are a wide variety of quality filter pitchers on the market that remove many common contaminants. For the most reliable filters, rely on those certified by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

3. Run Cold Water When Cooking
Finally, it is important to point out that boiling water does not remove lead from water, and should not be relied upon as an option for reduction. In fact, warm and hot water are said to contain higher levels of lead overall than cold water. Experts at the CDC recommend running water for a period of time (depending on the presence of a lead service line) prior to drinking to “flush” the home’s water systems.