Despite the fact that we’re barely into the new year, and are therefore in the midst of winter here in the northern hemisphere, it won’t be long until spring is upon us. With spring comes the promise of warmer and drier weather, longer days, shorter nights, and plenty of bugs and insects!
As soon as temps begin to rise, the creepy crawlies awaken from their slumber and begin terrorizing those of us with phobias. For sunroom owners in particular, bugs and insects can be absolute nightmares during the warmer months and keeping them out can be a real headache.
Sunrooms are supposed to be relaxing spaces to enjoy throughout the year. Because of their close proximity to the outdoors however, they can become havens for bugs, insects, and other pests. This is where ensuring your sunroom screens are clean and adequately sealed can make a huge difference.
To help you get the most out of your sunroom this year, here are several tips for cleaning and sealing sunroom screens to keep bugs out.
Why Do Sunrooms Attract Bugs and Insects?
Sunrooms create stunning spaces where you can enjoy all of the stunning views of out in your garden, while staying warm, dry, and comfortable indoors. Featuring large windows and doors, and even clear glass or Perspex ceilings, they offer amazing views, good ventilation and airflow, and plenty of comfort.
While sunrooms are designed for relaxing in, they also tend to attract bugs, for a plethora of different reasons. To begin with, they’re located in close proximity to outdoors, which is where most of these pesky little critters live. They’re also warm and dry, which also makes them appealing, especially in the evening or during bad weather or at cooler parts of the year.
As well as the above, it’s not uncommon for people to enjoy a refreshing drink or a bite to eat as they relax in their sunroom. If there’s food and/or drink involved, you can rest assured that nearby bugs and insects will soon want a piece of the action and will try their hardest to get inside.
The type of bug and insect you find in your sunroom will of course depend on where you happen to live. Common pests found terrorizing sunroom occupants, however, can include:
- Ants
- Spiders
- Cockroaches
- Moths
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Wasps and hornets
- Lice
- Termites
Sunroom Screen Sealing and Cleaning Tips to Keep Bugs Out
If you’re looking to keep unwanted guests out of your sunroom, keeping your sunroom screens clean and sealed correctly is a great form of defense. Here are a few useful tips to help you do precisely that.
Vacuum Your Screens
One of the most effective ways of helping to keep bugs and insects out of your sunroom is to regularly vacuum your screens.
Certain bugs and insects are attracted to, shall we say, unsanitary conditions. Flies are prime examples of this. Whether it’s a smear of butter, sugary soda residue from your fingers, or anything else, if you don’t remove it, it won’t be long before the pests move in.
While vacuuming alone won’t remove sticky food residue, it will remove loose food particles like crumbs, plus it will make it easier for you to actually clean them. Which brings us to…
Wash Your Screens
Once you’ve vacuumed your screens and removed any loose debris, it’s time for a more thorough wash. Again, the messier the location, the more appealing it seems to be for insects. This is where cleanliness is so important.
To wash your sunroom screen, simply take a clean, damp microfiber cloth and wipe everything down, including the seals and surrounds. Now, using warm water and dish soap, give them a good wipe.
Once you’ve wiped them down, wipe away any excess soap using a damp fresh, clean, microfiber cloth. Finally, you can dry the screen using a dry microfiber cloth to prevent any smears and smudges.
Install Thicker Screens
If your current sunroom screens just aren’t doing the job when it comes to bug protection, it may be time to upgrade. In this instance, thicker sunroom screens could be ideal.
Thicker sunroom screens will usually feature a finer mesh, meaning that even the smallest of insects will struggle to squeeze through and get inside.
As well as a finer mesh, because they’re thicker they’re also more durable which means that they’ll last longer and will stay in a perfect state of repair for longer. Older, more dated and worn screens may feature tiny cracks and holes. To the naked eye, this minor damage may not be visible, but for an insect, they provide the perfect entry point into your warm and cozy sunroom.
Seal Potential Entry Points
One of the simplest ways of preventing bugs and insects from getting inside your sunroom is to seal up any potential entry points.
If doors and windows are closed, or screened off, they’ll look for other ways in. This could be through a tiny gap around the door or window, a rip or tear in the mesh screen, a hole in the skylight, or anything else. Basically, if you can see a gap or feel a breeze coming in, it will need to be sealed.
You can use sealant, caulking, foam, weatherstripping, draft excluders, finer mesh, and more besides. Just be sure to use the correct material for your specific sunroom/sunroom screen.
Ensure There Isn’t Excess Moisture
As well as bad odors and food and drink, another thing guaranteed to attract pests is moisture.
Excess moisture can attract a number of different bugs and insects, particularly mosquitoes, which actually need water to breed. Take care of any leaks, keep gutters clean and unclogged, don’t overwater plants and flowers, and don’t leave half-empty cups of water unattended.