Guides / Outside the house
Pest prevention
Pests come in for food, water and shelter. Most prevention is about sealing entry points and taking away what attracts them, which is cheaper and safer than dealing with an established problem.
What to check
- Entry points
- Look for gaps around pipes, cables, vents and the garage door seal. Mice can fit through very small openings, so seal gaps with steel wool and sealant or hardware cloth.
- Wood-to-soil contact
- Wood that touches soil invites termites and rot. Keep firewood stacked off the ground and away from the house.
- Termite signs
- Look for mud tubes on foundation walls, discarded wings near windows, and wood that sounds hollow. In higher-risk regions, an annual professional inspection is common.
- Moisture
- Fix dripping faucets and damp crawl spaces. Many insects need moisture more than food.
- Food and trash
- Use lidded bins, store pet food in sealed containers, and keep compost away from the house.
- Standing water
- Empty anything that collects water outdoors, like plant saucers, buckets and clogged gutters, to cut down on mosquitoes.
When to do it
Seal entry points in early fall before rodents move indoors. Check for termites in spring when swarms are common.
Call a licensed professional for
- Any sign of termites or other wood-destroying insects
- Rodents inside living spaces, walls or the attic
- Wasp nests near doors or anywhere someone in the house is allergic
This guide is general information for US homeowners. Codes, climates and houses vary. It is not a substitute for an inspection or advice from a licensed contractor, and in an emergency call 911.