What If Bugs Are Already Inside?
Prevention can help stop new pests from getting inside, but it won't necessarily solve a problem that's already established.
If you're repeatedly finding ants on the counter, cockroaches around appliances, droppings in a cabinet or pantry, or other signs of pest activity indoors, the first step is figuring out what you're dealing with and where the activity is coming from.
Different pests behave differently. Some can remain hidden behind appliances, inside cabinets, or in other protected areas. Others may continue entering through gaps around doors, windows, utility lines, plumbing, or the foundation. Treating only the pests you happen to see may not address the reason they keep appearing.
If activity continues or you're unsure where it is coming from, professional pest control can help identify the pest and determine what needs to be addressed. got bugs? offers home pest control programs for North Atlanta homeowners dealing with common household pests.
The steps below can also help make your home less inviting and reduce opportunities for future pest activity.
1. Keep a Clean Home
Pests are often looking for food, water, or both. Reducing access to those resources is one of the simplest ways to make your home less appealing.
A few habits can help:
- Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of leaving them in the sink overnight.
- Wipe up crumbs and spills when they happen.
- Store pantry staples and pet food in tightly sealed containers.
- Take the trash out regularly and use a kitchen trash can with a secure lid.
- Fix dripping faucets and leaking pipes.
- Clean up pet food and water when they are not needed.
A home does not have to be dirty to have a pest problem, but removing easy food and water sources gives pests fewer reasons to stay.
2. Seal Common Pest Entry Points
Even a well-kept home can develop pest problems when insects and rodents have easy ways inside.
Check for gaps and openings around:
- Exterior doors
- Window frames
- Plumbing and utility lines
- Cable and electrical penetrations
- Foundation openings
- Areas where different building materials meet
Small openings can be easy to overlook, especially around garages, crawl spaces, utility entrances, and exterior doors.
Sealing accessible gaps can help reduce the number of pests entering from outside.
3. Install Door Sweeps and Replace Worn Weather-Stripping
The space beneath an exterior door can provide an easy route indoors for ants, cockroaches, spiders, and even mice.
Check exterior doors for visible light or gaps along the bottom and sides. Replacing worn weather-stripping and installing properly fitted door sweeps can help close those openings.
Pay particular attention to doors leading into garages, basements, crawl spaces, patios, and other areas where pests are more likely to be active.
4. Repair Damaged Window and Door Screens
An open window can bring in fresh air, but damaged or missing screens can also give flying insects a way inside.
Check window screens, screen doors, porch screens, and screened vents for:
- Tears
- Holes
- Loose edges
- Gaps around the frame
Repair or replace damaged screens and make sure they fit securely around the entire opening.
This is especially useful for reducing flies, mosquitoes, and other insects that commonly enter from outdoors.
5. Maintain the Area Around Your Home
Vegetation growing against the house can give insects and rodents additional shelter and an easier route toward the structure.
Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed away from exterior walls when possible, and cut back tree limbs that touch or hang directly over the roof.
Regular yard maintenance can also make it easier to spot conditions around the foundation that deserve attention, including moisture, pest activity, and openings into the structure.
6. Remove Yard Debris and Clutter
Leaves, stacked materials, unused pots, wood, and other items around the yard can provide protected places for insects and rodents.
To reduce those hiding areas:
- Remove accumulated leaves and yard debris.
- Keep firewood elevated and away from the house.
- Store unused flowerpots, toys, and equipment neatly.
- Keep gutters clear so water can drain properly.
- Pick up pet waste regularly.
The area immediately around your foundation is especially important. Keeping it clear makes it less attractive to pests and easier to inspect.
7. Eliminate Standing Water
Many mosquitoes develop in standing water, and some species need only a small amount. Reducing standing water around your property can help limit mosquito breeding and is especially important because mosquitoes can transmit illnesses such as West Nile virus.
Regularly check around your property for water collecting in:
- Buckets
- Children's toys
- Plant saucers
- Birdbaths
- Tarps
- Clogged gutters
- Outdoor containers
Empty containers that are holding unnecessary water and refresh birdbaths regularly.
If mosquitoes remain a problem around your property, seasonal mosquito treatments can provide additional help during mosquito season.
8. Make Your Yard Less Inviting to Ticks
Ticks are often found in areas with tall or dense vegetation, leaf litter, and wildlife activity.
Around your property:
- Keep grass maintained.
- Remove heavy leaf litter from frequently used areas.
- Trim back overgrown vegetation.
- Keep play equipment and seating areas away from dense brush when possible.
- Check family members and pets for ticks after spending time in wooded or brushy areas.
Ticks can transmit illnesses, although the diseases of greatest concern vary by region. Learn more about Lyme disease and tick concerns in the Atlanta area.
9. Know When to Call a Pest Control Professional
Good prevention can reduce the chances of a pest problem, but it cannot guarantee that insects or rodents will never get inside.
Repeated sightings, increasing activity, droppings, damage, or pests that keep returning after you've cleaned up and closed obvious entry points can indicate that the problem needs more than prevention alone.
A pest control professional can identify what you're dealing with, look for contributing conditions, and recommend an appropriate way to address the activity.
Pest Control for North Atlanta Homes
Keeping pests out often comes down to limiting the things they need: access, food, water, and shelter. Cleaning up food sources, sealing openings, managing moisture, and maintaining the area around your home can all help reduce pest activity.
When pests are already established or continue coming back, got bugs? Termite & Pest Solutions can help.
Our home pest control services protect homes throughout North Atlanta, including Alpharetta, Buckhead, Marietta, and surrounding communities.
As a locally owned and family-operated pest control company, we've been helping Atlanta-area homeowners deal with household pest problems since 2006.
This blog was originally published on February 2, 2017, and was updated to reflect current information.
