Nobody likes sharing their home with household pests like ants, cockroaches, rats, mosquitoes, or termites. The good news is that infestations do not develop overnight, and a few simple habits can make your house far less inviting to pests. Here are 13 affordable, practical tips in no particular order that you can easily work into your daily routine to keep those pesky critters away.
1. Clean up food spills and crumbs immediately
Household pests are natural scavengers, which means even a few dropped crumbs or a sticky spill can turn your kitchen into a buffet for ants and roaches. Wipe up any spills on countertops or floors as soon as they happen. Sweep or vacuum the kitchen and dining area regularly to ensure no crumbs are left behind, especially in corners or under appliances.
Don’t forget to wash dirty dishes instead of leaving them in the sink overnight, leftover food residue can attract cockroaches by the dozens. Keeping your kitchen clean and crumb-free denies household pests an easy food source and encourages them to look elsewhere for dinner.
2. Take out the trash regularly and use sealed bins
Kitchen garbage is a goldmine for household pests like cockroaches, flies, and rats. Use a trash can with a tight-fitting lid and empty it often, preferably daily or whenever it’s full, so the smell doesn’t lure in bugs or rodents. Rinse out food containers before tossing them in the recycling bin to avoid leaving tempting residues.
Also, clean your trash bin periodically to remove gunk or spills that might attract insects. By handling garbage promptly and keeping it sealed, you remove one of the most obvious household pest invitations from your home.
3. Store food in sealed containers
To avoid inviting household pests for a free buffet, seal up all your food. Keep pantry items like cereal, rice, and snacks in airtight containers that ants, roaches, or mice can’t chew through. If you have pets, store their food in tightly closed bins and never leave pet bowls out overnight, since lingering kibble can attract roaches or rats. By keeping human and pet foods sealed and putting leftovers in the fridge, you’ll cut off one of the main reasons household pests enter homes, they’re looking for easy meals!
4. Eliminate indoor water sources and fix leaks
It’s not just food, household pests need water too. Many bugs and rodents are drawn to damp areas, so it’s important to keep your home dry. Fix any leaky sinks, pipes, or dripping faucets promptly to avoid pooling. Wipe down your sink and dry out the kitchen each night; even a wet dish sponge or a pet’s water dish left out overnight can become a roach watering hole.
Check for water under refrigerators empty the drip pan if present and don’t let water stand in houseplant saucers for too long. By cutting off easy water sources, you make your home much less attractive to thirsty pests.
5. Declutter and clean your home regularly
A tidy home isn’t just nicer to live in, it also gives pests fewer places to hide. Insects like cockroaches love clutter piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and other junk make great hiding and breeding spots. Try to declutter storage areas like closets, the pantry, and the garage so there are no cozy dark nooks for bugs or even mice to settle in.
Regular cleaning is key as well: vacuum carpets and rugs often to pick up crumbs and insect eggs, and dust or wipe down surfaces to disturb any would-be pest homes. The cleaner and more organized your space, the harder it is for pests to find shelter and build a nest.
6. Seal cracks, gaps, and holes in your home
Most household pests come in from outside, so one of the best preventive measures is to block their entry points. Inspect your home inside and out for any cracks, gaps, or tiny holes that ants, roaches, or even rodents could squeeze through. Common spots include along the foundation, around doors and windows, where pipes and wires enter the house, and in basements or crawl spaces. Seal up any openings you find with caulk or another appropriate sealant.
For slightly larger gaps or holes like around pipes or vents, use steel wool as a filler before sealing, mice and rats can’t chew through steel wool. Even a very small opening can be a doorway for pests, so plugging these up can make a huge difference in keeping unwanted critters out.
7. Use screens on windows and doors and fix any tears
Mosquitoes, flies, and other insects often enter through open windows or doors, but a good screen can stop them in their tracks. Make sure all your windows have intact screens, and repair any holes or tears you notice. Similarly, use a screen door or at least keep the main door closed if you don’t have one.
Covering up gaps in walls, doors, and windows prevents insects from slipping inside. It’s also wise to install weather stripping or door sweeps under exterior doors to eliminate the gap at the threshold where bugs or even small rodents could sneak in. By maintaining these physical barriers, you can enjoy fresh air without also inviting in a swarm of pests.
8. Remove standing water around your home
Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and attracts other pests, so it’s important to eliminate it around your property. Walk around your yard after it rains, do you see any buckets, flower pots, old tires, or toys collecting water? Dump them out and store them upside down so they don’t refill. Clean out rain gutters and downspouts so water drains properly clogged gutters can overflow and create puddles by your foundation.
If you have a birdbath or pet water bowl outside, empty and refresh the water at least once a week to prevent mosquito larvae from growing. The goal is to ensure there’s nowhere for mosquitoes to lay eggs; even a small amount of standing water can produce hundreds of these biting pests. Removing these water sources will drastically cut down on the mosquito population near your home.
9. Keep your yard and garden tidy
Your yard can either invite household pests toward your house or help keep them away. Simple landscaping habits can make a big difference. Trim back any tree branches or shrubs that touch your walls or roof, because these can act like bridges for ants, rodents, and even termites to reach your home.
Try to avoid dense, overgrown vegetation right next to the house, rats and mice love to hide in thick bushes or woodpiles, and termites thrive in moist, mulched garden beds. Speaking of mulch, don’t pile it directly against your foundation; leave a little gap or use less around the immediate perimeter to reduce moisture and hidden household pest pathways.
Keep your grass cut and rake up leaf piles rotting leaves attract insects. A well-maintained yard means fewer household pests nesting outside, and fewer that will eventually wander inside.
10. Store firewood and cardboard way from the house
Termites, ants, and even mice love wood and paper. If you have a stack of firewood, lumber, or even a pile of old cardboard boxes, be mindful of where you keep them. Store such materials off the ground and a good distance away from your house. For example, keep firewood at least several feet from your exterior walls, don’t lean it right up against the house.
This reduces the chance of insects in the woodpile sneaking into your home. It’s also wise to avoid storing cardboard boxes or newspapers in damp garages or crawl spaces, since those can become termite and roach magnets. By moving wood and paper clutter away from your home or disposing of what you don’t need, you remove a potential food and shelter source for household pests like termites and roaches.
11. Clean your drains regularly
Here’s a spot many people forget about: the drains in your sinks, tubs, or laundry room. Drains can accumulate gunk and standing water, making them perfect breeding sites for insects like drain flies and even cockroaches. Every week or so, flush out your drains with very hot water or a mild cleaning solution to dislodge any build-up.
In fact, pouring boiling water down the drain once a week can help kill any insect eggs or larvae that might be lurking there. You can also use a drain brush or snake to remove hair and debris which attract household pests from time to time. Keeping your drains clean and flowing not only prevents clogs, it also makes your home less hospitable to drain-loving pests.
12. Use natural repellents and remedies
Not every solution has to involve harsh chemicals. There are many natural scents and substances that household pests dislike, which you can use to your advantage. For instance, ants and cockroaches are known to avoid the smell of peppermint or eucalyptus oil, and spiders aren’t fans of those either. You can dab a bit of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and place them near entry points or in the pantry as a deterrent. Likewise, citronella and lemongrass are classic mosquito repellents, consider planting citronella or using citronella candles when sitting outside.
Many essential oils like citronella, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus, repel a wide variety of bugs with their scent. Another simple remedy is vinegar: wiping your countertops or floors with a vinegar solution not only cleans but can disrupt ant scent trails naturally. While these remedies might not eliminate an existing infestation, they can help prevent household pests from settling in and make your home smell fresh to humans but not so appealing to insects..
13. Stay vigilant and act quickly at the first sign
Finally, one of the most practical ways to prevent a full-blown infestation is to catch it early. Keep an eye out for warning signs of household pests: ants scouting your kitchen, a cockroach slipping into a crack, mouse poop in the cupboard, or termite wings aroung your window. If you see one or two bugs, don’t ignore it, take action by cleaning the area thoroughly, setting out bait or traps, or addressing whatever attracted them food, moisture, etc.. Remember, a big infestation usually starts with just a few individuals that multiply over time.
So by being alert and dealing with household pests as soon as you notice them, you can stop a minor intrusion from becoming a major headache. In addition, consider doing a routine inspection of your home every now and then for example, seasonally: check those less-frequented corners, the attic, or behind appliances for any droppings, damage, or insects. Vigilance and quick response are cost-effective ways to ensure that household pests never feel at home in your house.
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