How to Keep Pests Out of Your House

Did you recently open a cabinet and have a spider crawl out? Were you enjoying a television show on your couch when an ant walked across your leg? Or did you hear a mouse scurry under the bed just as you were drifting to sleep? These are situations that make most people uncomfortable in their own home. See the tips below for how you can keep different pests and rodents out of your home.

Insects

• Ants: Don’t use sprays that use pyrethroids, such as Raid, as these typically draw more ants. Wipe up any visible ants with a damp, soapy paper towel. Place bait stations in areas where you’ve seen ants; be sure to put them out of reach of children or pets. To prevent ants in the future, close cracks with a sealant or caulk; plug doors or windows with weather stripping; keep the kitchen crumb-free and mopped; and wipe down sticky containers before storing them back into the cabinet.
• Bees, Wasps, Hornets: Before anything else, check InsectIdentification.org. If the species by your home is aggressive, call an exterminator. If the species is not, use an insecticide spray on the nest at or after dusk, when hives are less active. Aim for as far into the nest as possible without putting yourself in danger. Results can be seen in 24 to 48 hours. To prevent future nests, in early spring of each year, scan the outside of your house for cracks and crevices, then fill them in with caulk.
• Moths: The larvae, not the adults, feed on cloth, so most people don’t realize they have a moth problem until they see adult moths flying in their home. At any time of the year, dry-clean or wash potentially affected fabric items in hot water, then store them in a sealed bag. Freezing clothes in plastic bags for four days also kills larvae and eggs. If you see larvae or moths in your kitchen or cupboards, act fast. Inspect grain- and flour-based products after spreading them out on a baking sheet. Keep any unaffected products in sealed containers.
• Flies: If you see only a few flies, place flytraps or flypaper around your home. For an infestation, call an exterminator. If you have fruit flies, toss old fruit and veggies, then set a trap: near the trouble spot, place a small bowl filled with half an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. Cover with plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and poke the plastic with a fork to perforate it. In the future, don’t leave fruit on the counter; put all fruit and veggies in the fridge or in a sealed container.
• Roaches: If you see only a few, vacuum them up, empty the vacuum, and throw out the trash immediately. If you see one roach, there are always more. Place gel baits under your stove, refrigerator, and sinks. If the issue continues, call an exterminator.

Rodents / Small Critters

• Mice, Rats: Classic snap traps are fast and reusable. Before purchasing a trap, ensure it is reusable. Bait stations are an option, but the rodent won’t pass until a couple days after consuming the bait, meaning it could decompose in your walls or behind cabinets, leaving you with another issue. Another method would include setting a non-lethal trap with peanut butter, then releasing the rodent away from your house.
• Squirrels, Possums: Close off the area where the critters are. These are best handled by a wildlife pro. To reduce the amount of critters entering your house, though, cut tree branches so they are 6 to 8 feet away from your home. Place hardware cloth over vents, cap the chimney with an animal guard, and seal cracks around windows and doors.

Bats, Birds, Snakes

• Bats: For a singular bat, turn off interior lights, open all windows, and turn on exterior lights. For multiple bats, call a wildlife professional. Follow the same prevention methods as for squirrels and possums.
• Birds: Most active nests are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so wait until late summer when you can confirm a nest is inactive, then don a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, rubber gloves, and a mask. Dispose of the nest in a zip-top bag and double-bag it. Scrub away bird droppings with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
• Snakes: If you’re absolutely sure the snake is harmless—you can confirm by searching “snakes” on cdc.gov\niosh—don gloves, grab the snake, and toss it into the yard. Snake traps can also be effective. Generally, however, it’s safest to call a professional.

Source: Consumer Reports July & August 2025