If you’re like me, a bug of any size freaks you out. Then how are you living in Gangwon-do, South Korea you might ask? In this blog post I’ll share a few ways I’ve tried, and still try to get rid of bugs in my apartment. I’ll never forget the eerie Sunday afternoon on October 20th; the day my apartment was invaded by bugs. I was killing 3 to 4 bugs consecutively for days until I decided to take action. This has been one of my biggest struggles living in Korea. Language barrier is always a struggle but this one had to be the hardest I must say. I needed to create a zero-bug policy QUICK in order to have peace.

Here are some ways to get rid of bugs in your apartment:

    1.    Check or scan your apartment for any holes, cracks, or small openings.

Check around your windows, every corner, the entrance door, vents, the ceiling, the floor and around exposed pipes. Check everywhere. The sooner you do,  the quicker you can take action.

Some things to note: your front door can be an entrance point for bugs. Make sure there are sealing, such as door sweepers, surrounding the door, otherwise they’ll come straight through. Then you’ll have uninvited crawling friends over in your apartment or home..

    2.    Seal or close any and all holes, cracks, or openings where bugs can enter. 

I used regular packaging tape because I couldn’t wait to order something online or go to a bigger city. And forget about contacting a professional. I wanted the bugs out, immediately. You can find sealing tapes or sealing products at big supermarkets or online. Beware of the feign security of double pane windows. Even though the sliding doors are closed shut, there are still nooks and crannies small enough for bugs to enter. That’s how the bugs entered my apartment.

    3.    Kill the bugs you do see and have insecticides or any bug spray handy at all times.

Have you ever seen the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider? Does any word stand out from this title? You guessed it, Raid, the popular bug spray brand. It was like a scene from this action-adventure film. Instead of Angelina Jolie, picture me in my apartment, with two bug spray bottles, one Raid from Korea, another spray from Walmart in the US, one in each hand, ready for anything. Well, almost. That’s how I walked around my apartment until I stopped seeing bugs. Make sure the spray isn’t toxic and try not to spray too much in an enclosed space where there’s little to no fresh air coming from outside.

4. Even if you’ve tried the three steps above, here are a few essentials:

        ⁃    Keep your apartment clean and dry.

        ⁃    Get rid of waste in a timely manner.

        ⁃    Clean out food from the sink strainer.

        ⁃    Store fruits and veggies in a dry or cold environment.

        ⁃    Maintain a constant healthy temperature level in your apartment or home. Look out for a future blog post on how to deal with high levels of humidity, window condensation and mold. Also take the weather into consideration. During the warmer season especially with Korea’s high humid levels, bugs will be on the rise. Bugs like moist, warm, humid environments. You could be creating the perfect bug shelter in your space without realizing it. 

Some people don’t mind a few eight legged friends occasionally on their ceilings, bed or walls. I wish I had their courage. I have to say since I’ve sealed my windows and balcony doors I have seen almost no bugs coming inside. I check the tapes, every corners and the ceilings of my apartment everyday. This is to make sure there aren’t any breaches or loose tape. After a long day – with the bug spray on my bedside table – I sleep in peace.