10 Smart Ways to Reduce Humidity and Keep Pests Away at Home
You’ve done it all — kept your home spotless, sealed every crack, and even made sure your food’s tucked away in airtight containers within the confines of a cool, sealed fridge. But somehow, those pesky critters keep coming back. What’s the deal?
The sneaky culprit might just be humidity. When humidity levels creep past 70 percent, it turns your home into a cosy haven for all kinds of crawlers. So, find out how you can lower the humidity in your home and keep it from becoming your most hated pest’s dream getaway. Take charge of moisture and your home today.
1. Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is specifically designed to reduce the amount of water vapour lingering in the air by absorbing and removing excess moisture through condensation. Most dehumidifiers can bring humidity levels down to as low as 30 percent. Common types include thermo-electric, refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers.
2. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Ventilation refers to the exchange of fresh air within an enclosed space, so if your home often feels stuffy, musty or clammy, those are clear signs of poor ventilation. To promote airflow, make sure to open windows and doors, turn on fans, and use air filters. These simple steps can significantly improve air circulation and naturally remove excess moisture from your space.
3. Repair Household Leaks
The increased moisture in the air could be caused by water intrusions, such as leaks and seepage, entering areas where they shouldn’t be. Even if they’re not immediately visible, undetected leaks can lead to major issues like mould growth, peeling paint and water stains, all while contributing to oppressive humidity. Be sure to address household leaks from pipes and taps promptly.
4. Dry Laundry Outdoors
Some of us prefer to dry laundry indoors for reasons like weather conditions, limited space and convenience. However, doing so can lead to elevated humidity levels inside your home since the moisture has nowhere to go. If indoor drying is absolutely necessary, consider using a dehumidifier to help remove moisture or ensuring that you dry your clothes in a well-ventilated area.
5. Utilise Exhaust Fans and Air Conditioning
Exhaust fans serve the purpose of expelling moisture and pollutants from enclosed spaces and inviting outside air in. Homeowners often fit ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens because they are two of the most likely locations to accumulate excess moisture and odours. While air conditioning can contribute to decreased moisture and a cooler atmosphere, it is primarily better at circulating air rather than expelling it.
6. Maintain Your HVAC System
HVAC systems — which in Singapore, primarily refers to air conditioners — require regular upkeep to effectively control humidity levels. Schedule regular inspections and maintenance with professionals to ensure these systems perform optimally. Without proper maintenance, HVAC systems can cause excessive moisture or dryness in the home, leading to potential issues with comfort or indoor air quality.
7. Make Use of Moisture Absorbers
Moisture absorbers exist in both natural and synthetic forms. They do exactly what their name suggests — suck up moisture from the air and retain it. Silica gel and activated charcoal are reliable moisture absorbers people use around the house to keep humidity to a minimum. Other options, like cat litter, baking soda and salt, can also absorb moisture but with varying degrees of effectiveness. Bathrooms, kitchens, closets, and under sinks and cabinets are common trouble spots for dampness and consequently, humidity.
8. Move Your Plants
Do you keep indoor plants at home? While some houseplants are thought to help with pest control, they are also known for being humidifying, releasing moisture into the air through evapotranspiration from their soil and leaves. To manage indoor humidity, consider moving some plants out of your home or limiting the number you keep inside. And make sure not to overwater them!
9. Take Cool Showers
Hot showers and warm baths feel great, but they unfortunately can lead to high humidity in your home. If you’ve seen steam on mirrors and the shower screen, that’s the humidity in action. To reduce it, try cutting down on the temperature and duration of your showers, and make sure to thoroughly ventilate the bathroom afterwards.
10. Keep Your Home Clean and Dry
Spilled something on the rug? Clean it up. Leftover coffee from this morning? Clear it away. Puddles from washing dishes? Wipe them up. In addition to causing a mess, all these bits of water can contribute to the moisture in the air and make your home a welcoming, even favourable place for pests to stick around and breed. Keep your home clean, cool and dry to give pests no reason to visit.
Regulate Humidity to Keep Pests at Bay
Humidity and pests go hand in hand since many pests thrive in humid conditions. Moreover, damp environments can lead to mould, which adds on to the problem by attracting critters like termites, dust mites and cockroaches. Thus, tackling humidity is a big step in fighting these pests — but if humidity has already done its harm, you might need further reinforcement. That’s where we come in — Star Bugs is here to provide expert pest management and get your home and health back in shape.
Star Bugs comes with substantial experience in dealing with pests of all kinds, from structurally damaging termites and deadly mosquitoes to pesky rodents and aggravating bed bugs. Armed with eco-friendly and safe-for-all treatment plans, we can help eliminate the pests that thrive in or result from humidity issues, mould included, all while ensuring minimal disruption to you.
Get guaranteed pest control results. Find out more from us here.