Preventative Steps

There are numerous ways to keep pests from disrupting your home, including:

Indoors

  • Clean up food spills and crumbs immediately!
  • Keep food lids closed
  • Repair leaking faucets and drains
  • Dehumidify a wet or damp basement

Keeping Them Homeless

  • Seal cracks and crevices where pests can get into your home
  • Get rid of stacks of newspaper, papers, bags, and cardboard that make good homes for pests

Outdoors

  • Trim shrubs and trees away from house
  • Remove leaf litter promptly
  • Store firewood away from house
  • Caulk around doors, windows, and utility inlets
  • Repair cracks in foundation walls, especially basements
  • Clean gutters and downspouts

Keeping Them Hungry

  • Keep a tight lid on trash cans and empty them often
  • Store food in tightly sealed containers
  • Wipe up spills and crumbs right away
  • Clean your dirty dishes right after eating
  • Pests thrive on moisture. Keep them from getting to water by fixing leaks and not leaving dish water in the sink overnight