Pest Control Maintenance Checklist

Pest control does not end with spraying pesticides to prevent infestation or eradication of pests, it should be maintained to keep the pests away completely. Common house pests are hard to avoid. Maintaining the hygiene and sanitation reduces pest infestation considerably, but regular control is required for adequate desired results. There are common household bugs like cockroaches, ants, bedbugs, termites and white ants that are difficult to keep away. Rodents and birds can be controlled by avoiding trash accumulation in the open spaces. There are also simple hygiene rules that need to be followed to prevent pest and pesky animals and bird infestation at your residence.

Here is a Pest Control Maintenance Checklist that will help you keep things under control while you are waiting for the next pest control schedule.

Daily Pest Control Maintenance Checklist:

• Check and clean any spills and debris around the house.
• Check specially between furniture crevices and corners of kitchen and toilets
• Check the storage rooms and pantries for any hole in food packets and spills along the shelves.
• Empty trash every day and make sure to keep the trash bin covered
• Ensure all the doors are closed
• Check for any small water puddles and pipe leaks

Weekly Pest Control Maintenance Checklist:

• Check around the house for any holes and gaps
• Check for any vegetation within 2 feet of the house perimeter and remove
• Check and clear any debris around the perimeter of the house
• Check for any bird nests and try to relocate it in an open space away from the house
• Check for rodent droppings and gnaw marks inside and outside the house, or around food storages.

INDOOR PEST CONTROL MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

Bathrooms:

• Check for mold and mildew growth
• Check for loose tiles and cracks
• Check for faucet and pipe leaks
• Check and seal gaps between pipes and vents
• Seal cracks between cabinets and walls
• Check for pest and rodent droppings and dust.

Kitchen:

• Check areas around dishwasher and refrigerators and keep clean
• Check and clean countertops, shelves and drawers. Keep dry.
• Ensure food and food packets are stored in dry and tightly sealed containers
• Clean and clear the oven for grease and food particles
• Clean and clear floor from spills and debris
• Store away unused cardboard boxes
• Check and repair leaking faucets and pipes
• Repair any cracks, crevices and holes
• Implement pest traps
• Install insect bait stations
• Ensure garbage bins have plastic liners
• Check for rodent and pest droppings and damages

Make sure that:

• Firewood is stored away from the house
• There are no cracks and hole on the exterior walls, roof and foundation of the house.
• The window frame do not have any cracks
• That all the windows close securely
• The window screens are free of any damages
• The exterior doors have barriers and weather stripping and are well protected from moisture.
• Mulch layer is thin or there is no mulch layer near the structure of the house, as termites breed on much in warmer climates and are not at all good to be found in the house.
• There should be at least 2”of space between the brick exterior of the house and the ground. In case of wood sliding the space should be more and it should slope away from the house.
• Gutters and roofing should be kept in proper condition and dry. Termites and carpenter ants prone to attack moist wood.
• Maintain good plumbing
• There should be enough space between shrubs and tree branches and the house.

Get the house inspected at least once a year. A trained eye can spot even the minute damages and can help you keep your resident pest free.