Let’s be honest: dealing with a bug infestation is something that most people would like to avoid. It is—quite literally—the stuff that nightmares are made of. Fortunately, while those tiny pests are often a reality for many of us, eradicating them is not as difficult as one might think. If you find yourself in that situation, the team over at PLANit BUILDERS hopes that this article will bring you some degree of comfort. (PLANit BUILDERS is an Edmonton basement development company. You can find more about the services we offer on our website.)

Before going any further, let us make one thing clear: it does not matter whether your house is clean or not, or whether your basement is finished or unfinished. Stop beating yourself up for not having cleaned your basement enough in the last few months—it’s most likely not your fault.

With that being said, the first thing that you will want to do is a thorough assessment of your basement. In order to properly eliminate those crawling creatures, you will have to know what kinds of insects inhabit your basement. (Find them here?) If your basement is damp, buying a dehumidifier might do it some good. In many cases, bugs are attracted to damp basements—and even if the dehumidifier does not completely stop the infestation, you will still be able to enjoy the many benefits of using it. (PLANit BUILDERS recommends taking a look at this article detailing how to deal with a damp basement.)

Once this is done, proceed to seal any entryway from the outside into your basement. If you see any cracks or holes along the foundation, fix them. Don’t forget the floor drains and the windows. During the elimination process, avoid storing furniture in the basement. Keep the floors clean and free from clutter and try to vacuum the area at least once a week.

Spend time doing some research on what products would work best for the type of bug infestation you are suffering from. If you are worried about the health hazards associated with commercial bug sprays, try using vinegar instead. Many people have found a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to work as well—if not better—than most commercial products.

Finally, don’t panic. Remember that bugs love three things: dampness, food and shelter. (And that at the end of the day, they might be really creepy—but they are still totally harmless.)