Pests can cause damage, spread germs, and create stress if they find a way inside. The best way to deal with them is to stop them before they become a problem. Prevention is easier—and far less stressful—than dealing with an infestation.

In this post, we’ll show you how to keep pests out of your home in the new year with easy-to-follow tips and expert advice.

How Pests Get Into Homes

Many homeowners don’t realize how easy it is for pests to find their way inside. Even in winter, pests are still active and looking for food, warmth, and shelter. By the time you see signs of activity, the problem can already be widespread.

When you take action early, you stop pests before they can move in, nest, or cause damage.

Here are some of the most common ways pests get into homes:

• Small Cracks and Gaps: Pests don’t need a large opening to get inside. Tiny cracks in walls, gaps around windows and doors, or spaces around pipes and cables can be enough for bugs or rodents to squeeze through.
• Unsealed Food and Clutter: Leaving food out or not storing it properly gives pests a reliable food source. Open food containers, crumbs, and spills can attract pests like ants, roaches, and mice.
• Cluttered Spaces: Clutter, especially in basements or storage areas, gives pests a quiet place to hide and nest.
• Excess Moisture: Leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and areas with standing water create the damp conditions that many pests love. Moisture attracts insects like silverfish, mosquitoes, and even termites, which can cause damage if left untreated.

How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

You don’t have to wait until you see pests to start protecting your home. A few small changes in how you care for your space can go a long way in keeping them out for good:

• Keep Your Home Clean: A clean home is one of the easiest ways to prevent pests. Start by cleaning floors with regular sweeping and vacuuming, taking out the trash before it piles up, and cleaning up crumbs or spills as soon as they happen. It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
• Seal Up Gaps: Walk around your home and check for cracks around windows, doors, and utility lines. These openings can give pests a way inside. Seal anything you find using caulk or other weatherproof materials.
• Watch for Moisture: Check under sinks, around appliances, and in your basement for signs of leaks or dampness. Repair any plumbing issues quickly. If areas feel humid, use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture and make the space less inviting to pests.
• Check Pantry Items: Don’t forget your dry goods. Store things like flour, cereal, and snacks in airtight containers, and check them regularly. Rotate older items to the front so nothing gets forgotten and spoils.
• Tidy Up the Yard: Trim plants away from the house, store firewood away from the foundation, and keep garbage bins tightly sealed to prevent pests from getting too close to your home.

Why Hire a Professional Pest Service?

While DIY pest prevention can reduce the risk of an infestation, it doesn’t catch everything. Pests often hide in places that are hard to reach and may return without proper treatment.

Professional services offer more thorough and long-lasting protection for your home. Technicians are trained to use products and equipment that work better than store-bought options, and they know how to apply them safely and effectively. Regular professional service also helps stop new problems before they start.

Local pest control companies like Rest Easy Pest Control understand the daily patterns and problems homeowners in your local area deal with. They know which pests show up year after year, which areas tend to be more at risk, and what conditions make them worse. This experience helps them respond quickly and choose solutions that match the conditions around your home.

Make 2025 the Year You Stay Pest-Free

Back To Blog