Just like humans, pests need food, water, and shelter to live. Unfortunately, we may unknowingly attract and even invite them to live in and around our homes!
Pest Attractors and Supporters
Some pests prefer to live outdoors, while others like the ambiance inside your garage or home. Here are some ways you may be providing pests with food, water, and shelter:
- Pet food and water bowls (indoors and outside)
- Bird feeders
- Leaking water spigots
- Open food packages in your kitchen
- Hedges and shrubs near doors or windows
Entry Points
Insect and animal pests can pass through small spaces. For example, mice can get through a hole the width of a pencil, and cockroaches can flatten themselves and squeeze through cracks. Here are some ways pests might be entering your home:
- Holes in windows and screen doors
- Cracks in the foundation of your house
- Holes in the roof or attic
- Crevices around pipes indoors (bathrooms, laundry area, kitchens) and outside
Use IPM to Manage Pests
Use integrated pest management or IPM to help you pest proof your home. First, walk in and around your home to inspect for the above pest attractors, and entry points. If you can't personally inspect your home or don't have time, you can call a pest control company and ask them to do it for you. This is helpful for hard to access places like basements and attics.
Follow directions on the Quick Tips cards below for common pests. If your pest isn't listed, check the UC IPM Website. If you find a pest you can't identify, contact the UCCE Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County at (209) 525-6800 or send an email to ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu.
Pantry Pests (pests found in the kitchen)