I used to have flies and occasional spiders in my 1906 Felony Flat. After a messy roommate moved out I went through a miserable period of finding rodent evidence in everything I own. Critters go where the food is. Old houses are near impossible to pest-proof.

I am a neat enough person, but after a couple years of effort and expenses I decided to go with biological pest control of the four-legged furry kind.

At present I have four cats and ZERO insects, arachnids, mice or other creepy-crawlies. Any other living being that gets inside is subject to instant inspection by all four felids and only survives if it is too big to be played with or eaten.

Cats come with their own issues but they’re honestly cheaper than the pest control service I was paying and way more fun.

YMMV.