How to keep your home comfortable and pest-free all year round

1

Why do insects appear at different times of the year?

Pests don’t behave the same throughout the year, and understanding this seasonal pattern is the first step toward staying ahead of them.

In the spring, ants start looking for food, termites swarm and wasps start building nests. Summer brings mosquitoes, flies, fleas and ticks. And if you have a dog or cat that spends time outside, summer is the time when they’re most at risk of bringing these pests inside with them. As temperatures drop in autumn, rodents, spiders and cockroaches begin to seek warmth indoors. In winter, outdoor pest activity slows down but problems indoors may persist as rodents and insects that have already found their way into warmer places will continue to thrive.

2

Keep your home clean and organized

Having a clean and organized space will naturally reduce any chances that pests will be able to infest themselves at home. Small things like spilled food, crumbs, and exposed food can attract unwanted visitors and you may not even realize it. Regular cleaning, especially in your dining area and kitchen, will help remove these attractants. When your space is clean, it becomes easier for you to notice when there are problems.

Keep pantry items in airtight containers and take out the trash frequently. If you have pets, avoid leaving food in their bowl overnight. Pet food is one of the most overlooked things that attracts pests into the home, and a bowl left out is an open invitation for ants, cockroaches, and rodents. Washing pet bedding regularly also helps, as many insects seek out clothing and warmth. A clean home gives pests less reason to settle and fewer places to hide. For more information on keeping your home in good condition day-to-day, the basics are well covered in our guide to keeping your home healthy.

3

Manage moisture and hidden areas

Moisture is one of the primary reasons pests are attracted indoors. Damp corners, areas with poor ventilation and leaks all create ideal conditions for pests. Damp wood is especially attractive to termites and carpenter ants, and standing water is attractive to nearly every type of household insect. EPA recommends fixing leaking pipes and faucets as soon as possible and reducing moisture sources as an advance pest prevention measure.

Regularly checking for leaks, keeping areas dry, and improving air flow can help reduce the risk. Pay special attention to bathrooms, under sinks, laundry rooms and basements. These are the places pests will look first.

“A slow leak under the kitchen sink does two things: It creates water damage and it invites pests. Fixing it quickly solves both problems at once.”

4

Seal entry points around the house

Pests often enter through small gaps that go unnoticed. Cracks in walls, openings near windows, spaces around doors, and gaps where utility lines enter the home can all provide access. A mouse can fit through a hole as small as the diameter of a coin. Taking the time to seal these entries is one of the most effective preventative steps you can take.

Use caulk for small cracks, expandable foam for gaps around pipes and utility lines, and replace worn-out weatherstripping around doors and windows. Also check your garage door seal. The worn rubber strip at the base is one of the most overlooked entry points in any home. Our post on early detection of problems in your home is a helpful companion to this type of walk-through inspection.

5

Keep storage areas well maintained

Storage areas are sometimes overlooked, but these are usually places where pests like to settle. Places like closets, garages and cabinets where items are collected that are not used very regularly can create undisturbed hiding places for pests for long periods of time.

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Keeping all these areas organized will make a significant difference. Avoid placing items directly on the floor and keep things in sealed containers whenever possible. This will not only protect your belongings but will also reduce the chances of pests finding a comfortable place to hide. Checking these spots regularly will help you spot early signs of activity before it becomes a major problem. Even a quick look every few weeks can help you stay ahead. Our guide to creating a clutter-free home environment offers practical advice on getting these areas under control.

6

Focus on external areas

What happens outside your home often affects what happens inside. Large plants cluttered around the foundation, standing water and debris can all create ideal conditions for pests to thrive and come closer to your home.

Trimming plants back from the walls and roof line, ensuring proper drainage, and clearing debris will significantly reduce the risk. Keep outdoor trash cans sealed and away from entry points. Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and off the ground. Keep drains clear so water doesn’t pool near your foundation. If your dog spends time in the yard, check for fleas and ticks regularly before coming back inside. This is one of the most common ways that outdoor pests find their way indoors.

7

Know when to seek professional help

Sometimes pest problems go beyond routine maintenance. When your problems are persistent, professional help will be able to give you more effective solutions. Working with a service that has expertise pest control This will allow you to find the root cause of the problem and prevent the pests from returning.

A professional inspection is also worth scheduling proactively, not just when you already have a problem. Trained technicians can identify entry points and signs of activity that most homeowners would completely miss. If you have pets, it is advisable to mention this when booking. A good pest control service will use treatments that are effective against pests but safe for animals in the home. Early intervention is almost always less expensive and less disruptive than dealing with a full-blown infection.

“If you’re seeing pests regularly despite doing everything right, it’s a sign that there is an entry point or moisture problem that you haven’t discovered yet. A professional will find it.”