How do I get rid of bugs?

CLEAN, REPAIR, and TREAT

This is our favourite question! It’s not always possible to completely get rid of bugs indoors, but a combination of the right products, some good old-fashioned cleaning, and home repairs can go a long way. No single product can do everything to solve your bug problem, which is why it’s important to take a multifaceted approach. Also, keep in mind that bugs come into the home for a variety of reasons: food, water, or shelter. Correctly identifying the bugs you are fighting—and then eliminating the things that attract them—will help prevent them from coming inside. The harder you make it for bugs to come indoors, the less likely it will be that they invade.

Secure the Premises
outdoor swasp

Fighting Bugs from the Outside In

If bugs are invading your home, chances are they’re coming in from outside. While treatment depends on the type of bug you’re dealing with, these general tips can help:

  • Repair window or door screens that are ripped or do not fit tightly
  • Weatherproof the open spaces around windows and doors, particularly between the bottom of the door and the floor
  • Check vents, utility pipes, and other openings into the home that may need to be sealed, replaced or repaired
  • If you live in an apartment, work as a team with your neighbours to tackle the problem
Rain, Rain, Go Away

When using outdoor products to fight bugs, such as Raid® Ant Killer Liquid, rain can put a damper on things. Make sure to check the weather first, since you don’t want to apply an outdoor product if there’s rain in the forecast. Ideal conditions are days under 30 degrees Celsius. Rain can jumpstart new bug populations and may also make your treatments ineffective. Re-apply to outdoor areas after heavy rain if the problem doesn’t go away. For other products, check the reapplication information on the label. Be sure to read the label before use.

Don’t Hate, Use an Ant Bait

5 Fun Facts About Indoor Ant Baits

  1. Baits do not trap ants. Ant baits, for example, kill ants where they nest. After ants feed on the bait, they return to the colony and transfer the bait to the queen and the other ants.

  2. Although ant baits are designed to be more attractive to ants than other food sources, the more you can do to remove exposed food and water, the better.

  3. Ant baits kill the ants you don’t see—which is the vast majority! They take the bait back to the nest to share with the others, so don’t be alarmed if you don’t see immediate bug relief. You should see less activity in a matter of days.

  4. Do not place baits on areas that have been sprayed with an aerosol or liquid insecticide. Likewise, do not spray ants or the surrounding area after placing baits. The bugs can’t get back to the colony if they’re already dead.

  5. The more baits you place and the closer you place them to the ant hiding spots, the better you will be able to control the problem. Be sure to read the label before placing ant baits.

Know Thy Enemy
bug id

The first step in alleviating your problem is knowing which bugs you’re fighting. Use our Bug ID Tool to identify the type of bugs you’re dealing with.

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Defend your Home

The Raid® Defence System uses a combination of product options and tips that work together to better battle bugs in your home. Each System is customized, so you can ATTACK and CONTROL bugs with ease.

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