Pest Prevention

If you spot signs of pests

1. Stay calm. Pests happen in every kind of home, and acting early makes all the difference.
2. Take a photo of what you see, such as the pest, droppings or damage, and note where and when.
3. Share it right away, in writing, so it can be handled before it spreads.
4. Remove nearby food and water sources, and store food in sealed containers.
5. If you find rodent droppings, please don’t sweep or vacuum them. Wear gloves, wet them with a disinfectant, wait a few minutes, and wipe them up with paper towels.
6. Help with the plan, such as preparing rooms for a treatment and sharing whether things are getting better.

“Two small droppings in the cabinet left of the stove” helps far more than “I think we have mice,” and it gets the right fix started faster.

Pest prevention checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Food, including pet food, stored in sealed hard containers
• Counters wiped and crumbs swept after meals
• No dirty dishes or pet food left out overnight
• Trash taken out often with lids closed
• Cans and bottles rinsed before recycling
• Sinks and tubs wiped dry at night
• Cardboard and paper clutter kept to a minimum
• Under the sink and behind the stove checked monthly
• No bug bombs, foggers or mixed products
• No curbside furniture or mattresses brought inside
• Rodent droppings wetted and wiped with gloves, never swept
• First sign of pests shared right away with a photo and location

All done. We hope your home stays comfortable all year long.

Signs a pest may be visiting

These are common examples, not a complete list. Any of them is a good reason to share a concern right away.

• Droppings, gnaw marks, or grease marks along walls.
• Small holes in food packages, or shed skins.
• A musty odor, or scratching sounds at night.
• Trails of ants.
• Small bites or blood spots on bedding.

A young mouse can squeeze through a gap about the size of a dime. If a pencil fits through a gap, it is worth sealing.

For owners: sealing up ahead of time

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Gaps around pipes, wires, vents and the foundation sealed with caulk, steel wool or metal mesh
• Gaps where pipes come through walls under sinks and behind appliances sealed
• Door sweeps, weatherstripping and window and vent screens added or repaired
• Trees and shrubs trimmed back from the roof and walls by a professional when needed
• Leaks and moisture problems fixed quickly
• Trash and recycling bins with tight fitting lids provided
• A short note shared on how to report pests and why early reports are so welcome

All done. Sealing the ways in is the best long term fix.

For owners: when a pest report comes in

• Thank the person for sharing it. Early reports save everyone time, money and worry.
• Respond quickly, since many pests multiply fast.
• Consider a licensed pest professional who uses an integrated approach: inspect, seal, clean, and treat only as needed.
• Look for and seal the entry point, not just the pests you can see.
• Share any preparation steps and safety instructions in writing, well before a treatment.
• Keep records of every report, visit and treatment, and follow up to make sure the problem is gone.

Guides that go well with this one

• Bed Bugs
• Trash and Recycling
• Doors and Weatherstripping
• Garbage Disposal Care
• Clogged Drains and Toilets

Helpful resources

The guide points to these for details. Rules differ from place to place, so the official pages where your home is are the best guide.

• U.S. EPA: Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety
• CDC: Controlling Wild Rodent Infestations