Seal It Up: A Room-by-Room Non-Toxic Pest Prevention Checklist

Pest prevention is not one big project — it is a handful of small habits in each room. This checklist walks you through the home, room by room, using nothing more than caulk, screens, and good routines.

Kitchen

• [ ] Wipe counters and sweep floors every night.
• [ ] Store all food in sealed glass or heavy plastic containers.
• [ ] Rinse recycling before it goes in the bin.
• [ ] Take out trash daily; keep the bin lidded.
• [ ] Fix any leak under the sink immediately.
• [ ] Check behind appliances quarterly for hidden crumbs.

The kitchen is the #1 room pests target. Master it and you have solved half the battle — see our education center for more on kitchen-specific habits.

Bathroom

• [ ] Run the exhaust fan during and after showers to cut humidity.
• [ ] Fix drips at the sink and toilet.
• [ ] Store toiletries in closed cabinets, not open shelves.
• [ ] Check the caulking around the tub — gaps let silverfish and centipedes hide.

Bedrooms

• [ ] Do not eat in bed — crumbs attract ants and spiders.
• [ ] Keep the area under the bed clear so you can spot activity early.
• [ ] Check window screens for holes and patch or replace them.
• [ ] Move the bed a few inches off the wall to eliminate a hidden highway.

Living Room & Common Areas

• [ ] Vacuum upholstery and under cushions monthly.
• [ ] Keep pet food bowls off the floor overnight.
• [ ] Seal gaps around baseboards and cable outlets with caulk.
• [ ] Keep indoor plants clean and dry — fungus gnats love wet soil.

Attic

• [ ] Inspect the attic each season for signs of rodents — droppings, chewed wires, nesting.
• [ ] Ensure vents are screened and intact.
• [ ] Store items in sealed plastic totes, not cardboard.
• [ ] Check the underside of the roof for gaps where squirrels and bats enter.

Attics are where rodents and bats settle in. Our wildlife control and safety standards pages cover humane, non-toxic exclusion.

Basement & Crawlspace

• [ ] Run a dehumidifier and keep humidity below 50%.
• [ ] Seal cracks in the foundation with silicone caulk.
• [ ] Store firewood and cardboard off the floor and away from walls.
• [ ] Check for water entry after heavy rain and address it.

Garage

• [ ] Install weatherstripping on the garage-to-house door.
• [ ] Keep pet food and birdseed in sealed bins.
• [ ] Store recycling off the floor and rinse it first.
• [ ] Declutter the perimeter — do not let boxes pile against the walls.

Exterior & Yard

• [ ] Seal every exterior crack and gap (the most important step of all).
• [ ] Keep a 12-inch clear border around the foundation.
• [ ] Store firewood 20+ feet from the house and off the ground.
• [ ] Trim shrubs and tree branches away from the siding and roof.
• [ ] Clean gutters twice a year and direct downspouts away from the foundation.
• [ ] Remove standing water (bird baths, clogged planters, toys).

The One Step That Beats Everything Else

If you do nothing else, seal the exterior. A sealed home is a pest-free home. That is the core of Integrated Pest Management and the reason our pest exclusion services work so well.

Need a Hand?

If working through this checklist reveals gaps you cannot seal, or you spot signs of an active infestation, get a free quote. We will tell you exactly what is worth doing yourself and what needs a pro — honestly, and with non-toxic options first.