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Guides / Seasonal Pest Prevention: Keep Them Out Before They're In

Seasonal Pest Prevention: Keep Them Out Before They're In

Pest control works best as exclusion, not eviction. Every season has one job: deny food, water, and entry before the current resident population finds them.

Spring

Termite swarm season: discarded wings on sills and mud tubes on the foundation are act-now signals. Walk the foundation, clear wood-to-soil contact, and check that mulch sits below siding lines.

Summer

Ants and mosquitoes follow moisture: fix drips, empty standing water weekly, keep gutters flowing, and trim vegetation a foot off the siding so bridges don't form.

Fall — exclusion season

Rodents move in when nights cool. Seal gaps larger than a pencil (steel wool + sealant), install door sweeps, cap the chimney, and screen vents before the first cold week.

Winter

Listen for attic activity, store pantry goods in sealed containers, and keep firewood stacked away from the house — it's a highway when stored against siding.

Common questions

Is a pest control contract worth it?Quarterly service typically runs $30–$60/month in the US. It earns its keep in termite-prone regions and homes with recurring pressure; elsewhere, exclusion work plus as-needed treatment often suffices.
What are the early termite signs?Mud tubes on foundations, hollow-sounding wood, bubbling paint, discarded wings, and frass (pellet piles) near wood members. Documented annual inspections matter at resale in many regions.

Part of the complete home maintenance schedule.

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