Spring Pest Prevention: Your DIY Checklist for a Pest-Free Season

Spring in Wisconsin is when everything comes back to life — including the pests. Ants emerge to forage, wasps start new nests, spiders move indoors to escape the wet ground, and overwintering insects like boxelder bugs and stink bugs wake up and head for the windows.

The good news: almost all of it is preventable with a weekend of simple, non-toxic work. Here is your spring checklist.

1. Inspect and Seal the Exterior

Winter ice and shifting soil open new cracks every year. Walk the outside of your home and seal any gaps around the foundation, siding, windows, and where pipes and wires enter. Silicone caulk is your best tool. This single step is the heart of effective pest exclusion and stops pests before they ever get in.

2. Check Every Window Screen

Overwintering bugs often collect on warm, sunny windows. Inspect every screen for holes, patch or replace damaged ones, and make sure frames sit flush. A torn screen is an open door for flies, wasps, and mosquitoes.

3. Clean Up the Yard Debris

Rake up the leaves and twigs that accumulated against the foundation over winter. That damp pile is prime habitat for pillbugs, centipedes, and the first ants of the season. Keep a clear 12-inch border around the house.

4. Trim Back Spring Growth

Shrubs and branches that touch the siding or roof become pest highways. Prune everything back so there is at least a foot of clearance between plants and your home. This also helps the siding dry out faster after spring rains.

5. Deal with Standing Water

Spring snowmelt and rain collect in clogged gutters, plant saucers, kids' toys, and tarps. Dump it all out. Standing water is where mosquitoes breed — and mosquito season in Wisconsin starts earlier than people think. See our mosquito and tick control guide for more.

6. Clean and Seal the Kitchen

Ants come inside looking for food and water in spring. Wipe down the pantry, store food in sealed containers, and fix any leak under the sink. A spotless kitchen is the best natural ant control there is.

7. Watch for Early Wasp Nests

Queen wasps start small, golf-ball-sized nests in spring under eaves, decks, and porch ceilings. Knock them down now while they are tiny and the queen is alone — no spray needed, just a broom and a steady hand.

8. Schedule Your Seasonal Check

Use our seasonal pest calendar to see exactly what is active this month in Northeast Wisconsin so you know what to watch for before it becomes a problem.

When to Call a Pro

Spring DIY prevention handles the vast majority of issues. But if you see carpenter ants (a sign of moisture-damaged wood), a large wasp nest, or activity that keeps coming back, it is time for professional help. We offer eco-friendly, non-toxic treatments and a free inspection — we will tell you honestly what you can handle yourself.