Congratulations! With the arrival of a bub just around the corner, there’s something pretty wonderful about the feeling of sweet anticipation as your due date draws near.

But, then there’s also the somewhat overwhelming list of tasks you simply must get done before the baby arrives. Worry no more! Read on to ensure the only crawlies you’ll find in your nursery are from your growing baby and not the creepy kind.

• Seal the cracks – any cracks in floorboards, around skirting boards and windows and doors are the perfect entry point for bugs. Give your nursery a good once-over and seal up any holes you might find to keep unwanted pests at bay.
• Screen your windows – in the warmer months especially, you’ll want to allow good airflow through bub’s room, without allowing unauthorised access to mozzies and flies. Cover up your windows with secure window screens. It’s important to remember as bub gets older, screens are not as strong as windows so, never leave your curious toddler unattended with the window open.
• Minimise still water – there’s plenty of bugs that love a nice, unmoving body of water. To make them less welcome, regularly clean out and change your bird bath and run your pool filter a couple of times a day. It’s also worthwhile cleaning out your gutters and checking for leaking taps, particularly outside bub’s room.
• Plant some daisies – pyrethrum is a natural insect repellent and the pyrethrum daisy just so happens to be a pretty flower! If your nursery has a window, you might like to plant some in a window box or a nearby garden bed. If not, positioning the daisies by your front and back door is a great alternative. Remember, they like full sun and also to be well-drained so don’t give them too much water.
• Remove food sources – if you’re an animal lover and have a pet, or you like to leave seed out for birds, keep it tidy! Don’t leave pet food out overnight and ensure that your bird seed is securely kept away from hungry pests.
• Consider mosquito nets – with plenty of options now available on the market, a net over your baby’s cot or bassinet could be a great solution. Always check your favoured product to ensure it meets SIDS safety guidelines, perhaps opting for one of the newer tent-style designs to avoid material draping over the cot.

The arrival of a baby in your home is such a special time which you don’t want overshadowed by the worry bugs in the nursery. However, with these easy steps, you’ll be just about ready to welcome the newest member of your family.

If you’ve got any questions about these tips or how we can help you keep your home pest-free, please get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]