No one wants to deal with pests in their home, but the truth is, you might be unknowingly rolling out the welcome mat for them. Even clean and well-maintained homes can become prime targets if certain habits or maintenance oversights are in play. 

The good news? These missteps are often straightforward to fix. By identifying and addressing the following five common mistakes, you can protect your home and reduce the risk of unwanted visitors.

1. Leaving Food Out or Improperly Stored

If there’s one thing pests love, it’s an all-you-can-eat- eat buffet in your kitchen. Ants, cockroaches, rodents, and flies are all drawn to exposed food and crumbs, and they’re not picky! Anything from last night’s leftovers to an unsealed bag of cereal can attract them.

Pests have an incredible sense of smell, which helps them find even the tiniest food particles. A crumb on the counter or a greasy stovetop is like ringing a dinner bell for them. Once they find food, they’ll keep coming back…and often invite their friends.

To avoid this, follow these tips:

• Store food in sealed containers: Airtight plastic or glass containers are your best bet for keeping pests out of pantry staples like rice, pasta, and snacks.

• Clean up immediately: Wipe down kitchen counters and dining tables daily to remove crumbs and spills. Don’t forget to clean under appliances where food might collect.

• Take out the trash: Overflowing trash cans are an open invitation for pests. Use bins with tightly fitting lids and empty them regularly.

Adopting these habits will make your kitchen far less attractive to pests, keeping them out of your home and, more importantly, out of your food. You’ll prevent pests from coming indoors and reduce the likelihood of your family falling ill from contaminated foodstuffs.

2. Ignoring Entry Points

Even if you’re diligent about cleanliness, pests can still find their way into your home through cracks, gaps, and openings you might not even notice. Once they’re inside, it’s much harder to get rid of them.

Bear in mind that pests can fit through surprisingly small spaces. Mice, for example, can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, while insects only need the tiniest cracks to invade. Open vents, damaged weather stripping, and poorly sealed windows or doors are common culprits.

To avoid this, follow these simple tips for exclusion:

• Seal gaps and cracks: Inspect your home’s exterior for any openings and use caulk or expanding foam to seal them.

• Install screens: Add mesh screens to vents and windows to keep insects out without sacrificing airflow.

• Check doors and windows: Make sure weather stripping is intact and that doors close tightly. Door sweeps can also block insects from sneaking in under doors.

3. Excess Moisture Indoors or Outdoors

Water is essential for life, including, unfortunately, the lives of pests. Roaches, mosquitoes, and termites thrive in damp environments. If your home has moisture issues, it becomes a magnet for unwanted critters.

Leaks, standing water, and high humidity levels create the perfect breeding grounds for pests. Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, termites thrive in moist wood, and roaches are drawn to damp areas like basements or under sinks.

Some tips:

• Fix leaks immediately: A dripping faucet or leaky pipe might seem harmless, but it can attract pests quickly. Repair any plumbing issues as soon as you notice them.

• Use dehumidifiers: Reduce indoor humidity, especially in basements and bathrooms, with a dehumidifier.

• Clear gutters: Blocked gutters can cause water to pool near your home and draw pests closer. Clean them regularly to prevent buildup.

• Ensure proper drainage: Check that water is directed away from your home’s foundation to avoid long-term damage and discourage pests.

4. Yard or Indoor Clutter

Clutter is more than just an eyesore. For pests, it’s a paradise. Piles of wood, overgrown vegetation, and disorganized storage areas provide the perfect hiding spots.

Mice and centipedes prefer cool, dark places to hide, while overgrown plants near your home create a bridge for insects to move inside.

To eliminate these hiding spots:

• Maintain your yard: Trim overgrown vegetation, mow the lawn, and remove any debris like piles of leaves or wood. If you store firewood, keep it at least 20 feet from your home and 5 inches off the ground.

• Organize indoor storage: Use clear, sealed containers to store items in garages, basements, and attics. Avoid letting belongings pile up on the floor.

• Declutter regularly: Do a seasonal purge to get rid of items you no longer need and make your home less inviting to pests.

5. Skipping Regular Pest Inspections

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is assuming your home is pest-free just because you don’t see any obvious signs. Many pest infestations start small and go unnoticed, only to grow into major problems over time.

Pests are experts at staying out of sight until their populations have exploded. Termites, for instance, can cause significant damage before you even realize they’re there. Without regular inspections, you might not catch these problems until it’s too late. 

A trained pest management professional can spot issues that you might miss and provide solutions before infestations take hold.

Between inspections, take it upon yourself to conduct regular DIY checkups. Walk through your home monthly to look for signs of pests like droppings, chew marks, or damaged wood.

If you discover a potential pest problem, don’t delay. Call in professionals to handle the situation effectively.

Stay Proactive to Keep Pests Away

Preventing pest infestations doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By addressing the five mistakes outlined above, you can significantly reduce the chances of pests invading your home. 

Work smarter, not harder: these tips are all about adopting smart, proactive habits like keeping food stored securely, sealing entry points, managing moisture, decluttering, and staying on top of inspections.

And remember: a little effort now can save you a lot of headaches later on.