Spring is prime time for pests coming indoors after winter. Here's a simple checklist to tackle spring invaders:
Kitchen and Pantry
Empty expired food and wipe down shelves (pantry pests love grains). Seal food in jars or bins. Look for ant trails on counters and sticky spots from roaches. Clean under the fridge and stove; any crumbs or spills will attract ants, roaches, and even cockroach eggs. Fix any sink leaks and store pet food securely.
Bathrooms and Laundry
Check pipes under sinks and behind toilets for leaks; moisture attracts roaches and silverfish. Ventilate damp areas. Remove standing water and clean drains.
Basement and Storage
Declutter! Spiders and rodents love cardboard boxes and cluttered corners. Use plastic bins with lids for stored items. Vacuum webs and sweep regularly. If you store firewood, keep it off the ground and away from siding. Termites and carpenter ants love damp wood.
Yard Cleanup
Rake up leaf piles and brush. Clear that firewood stack or move it well away from the house. Inspect your foundation and wood piles for pencil-width "mud tubes" — a sign of termites. If you see winged termites (swarmers) flying on a warm spring day, vacuum them up – it usually means a nest nearby.
Perimeter and Foundation
Seal gaps around windows, doors, and where utilities enter. Install door sweeps. Trim shrubs and grass 2–3 feet back from the foundation (this cuts down on spiders, ticks, and ants). Clean out gutters so water doesn't accumulate near the house. Look for ant mounds in the yard and destroy them with a shovel or granulated bait.
Windows and Screens
Repair any torn screens to keep flies and mosquitoes out. Install weatherstripping on doors.
By doing a thorough spring cleaning inside and out, you break the life cycles of many pests before summer. Think of it as locking the doors against uninvited guests. Tackle one task each weekend and before you know it, you'll have a home where pests struggle to survive.