The Homeowner’s Guide to Pest-Proofing Every Room

The Homeowner’s Guide to Pest-Proofing Every Room: The Basics

Before you start on individual rooms, remember that every pest needs three things: food, water, and shelter. Take away even one, and your home becomes much less attractive. These pest prevention tips work in every room of the house:

• Store food in sealed containers made of glass, metal or hard plastic.
• Fix leaks and wipe up standing water as soon as you see it.
• Reduce clutter, especially cardboard boxes and piles of paper.
• Seal gaps around pipes, vents, doors and windows.
• Take out the trash often and use bins with tight lids.

Keep these five habits in mind as you read. They come up again and again, because they work.

Home Pest Prevention Starts Outside

Most pests reach your living space from the outside, so the exterior is your first line of defense. Walk around your house and look closely at the foundation, siding, roofline, and around utility lines.

• Seal cracks in the foundation and gaps where pipes or wires enter the house. Mice can squeeze through openings about the size of a dime.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair torn window screens.
• Trim trees and shrubs so branches do not touch the roof or siding. Branches act like bridges for ants and rodents.
• Keep firewood at least a few feet from the house and off the ground.
• Clean out gutters so water drains away from the foundation.
• Store trash cans away from the house with lids closed.

These small jobs are some of the best ways to keep pests out of your house. Wood-to-soil contact and damp areas near the foundation can also attract termites, so pay extra attention to those spots.

How to Pest Proof Your Home: The Kitchen

The kitchen is the number one target for ants, cockroaches, and mice. It has food, water, and plenty of warm hiding places. If you want to know how to pest-proof your home, start here.

• Wipe counters, stovetops and tables every night. Even a thin layer of grease attracts insects.
• Store pantry items like cereal, flour, rice and pet food in airtight containers.
• Sweep or vacuum crumbs, and clean under and behind the stove and fridge.
• Fix dripping faucets and wipe the sink dry before bed.
• Rinse recyclables and empty the trash before it gets full.
• Seal gaps around pipes under the sink with steel wool or caulk.

German cockroaches are especially common in kitchens. They often hitchhike into homes in grocery bags, boxes and secondhand items. If you see small, light brown roaches, especially at night, it is time for a professional inspection.

Home Pest Prevention in the Bathroom

Bathrooms are damp, and moisture is a magnet for pests such as cockroaches, silverfish and ants. Good home pest prevention here comes down to keeping things dry.

• Repair leaky faucets, showerheads and toilets quickly.
• Run the exhaust fan during and after showers to lower humidity.
• Seal gaps around tubs, sinks and pipes with caulk.
• Keep drains clean and covered when not in use.
• Do not leave wet towels or laundry piled on the floor.

Pest Proofing Your Home: Bedrooms and Living Areas

Bedrooms and living rooms may not have much food, but they can still have pests. Bed bugs are the biggest concern. They hide in mattress seams, box springs, headboards, curtains and upholstered furniture, and they come home with you from hotels, used furniture and public spaces.

• Inspect used furniture and mattresses carefully before bringing them inside.
• Use zippered covers on mattresses and box springs to remove hiding spots.
• When you travel, check the bed and luggage rack, and keep suitcases off the bed.
• Vacuum regularly, including along baseboards, under beds and around sofa cushions.
• Avoid eating in bed or on the couch, since crumbs attract ants and roaches.

Look for warning signs such as small bites in a line, tiny dark spots on sheets, or blood spots on bedding. Bed bugs are hard to remove without professional help, so call an expert if you see them.