Shoppers can stop any creepy crawlies from letting themselves in through open windows
People who leave their windows open to let fresh air in during hot summer days will know all too well the risk that more than just a cool breeze could make its way indoors. Bugs might wander in by accident, or they could be looking for food and enter rooms uninvited.
Once inside, it can be a challenge to get them back outside again. But fitting a simple kit over your windows could help, and it only costs a few quid at B&M.
On sale for £3, the kit includes a mesh screen, which B&M says can be cut to size, as well as everything needed to attach it to window frames to keep insects from coming in. Online, B&M says that fitting one of these Easy Fit Insect Window Screen kits at home will “keep fresh air in and bugs out”.
The box claims that the included screen should be large enough to cover windows measuring 150cm high and 130cm wide. If your windows are smaller than this, the material can be trimmed to size – just be sure to measure and check before cutting.
Besides B&M, similar versions are available at a variety of stores at affordable prices. Having a window screen in place could help during the day and at night by preventing nocturnal bugs that slip in under the cover of darkness from having free rein while you sleep.
Stores might also sell versions of these bug screens designed to cover open doors, both internal and external. A quick online search shows that people could get their doors blocked with items from Amazon, Temu, B&Q and Screwfix for under £10.
B&M has a £5 version which matches the window kit, available to view online here. The magnetic kit covers 210cm by 90cm and claims to require “no tools” to fit onto single or sliding doors.
These kinds of screens are a reasonable defence against bugs, but people should be aware of some ways they can fail – and how to avoid that. Depending on how these screens are stuck to the surface (glue, magnets, pins), windows must be clean to ensure the best ‘stick’. Sudden gusts of wind can occasionally blow lightweight screens open, and pets with sharp claws may tear the material.
When should I have windows open during hot weather?
How you use your windows during the day could have a lasting impact on how warm your home feels in the evening and night. If possible, keep windows open early in the morning when the outside air is cooler than the air in your home.
During the middle of the day, when the sun is hottest, close your windows and doors, and draw your window blinds to block hot air and direct sunlight from warming your space. If you have them, consider closing curtains to add an extra barrier between your rooms and the outside sun.
Open windows wide again once the sun goes down and the outside air cools to a temperature below your indoor temperature to flush out trapped heat. Wait until the sun has completely set and is no longer shining directly on your walls or windows.
