Outside the house
- Seal gaps around pipes, cables, vents and meter boxes with wire wool and cement or metal mesh
- Cover air bricks with fine mesh, and repair damaged or missing ones
- Fix loose roof tiles and damaged fascia and soffit boards
- Cut back branches that touch or overhang the roof
- Keep gardens tidy and away from the walls; store wood and rubbish away from the house
- Use lidded bins and keep bin areas clean
- Check drain covers and report broken drains
- Do not feed pigeons or leave bird seed on the ground
Kitchen
- Store dry food, pet food and baking items in sealed containers
- Wipe surfaces and sweep floors every night
- Empty bins daily and clean them regularly
- Fix dripping taps and wipe up spills
- Pull out appliances now and then and clean behind and under them
- Check shopping, cardboard and second-hand appliances before bringing them in
Bathroom and utility room
- Run extractor fans and open windows to cut humidity
- Seal gaps around pipes and under baths
- Fix leaks quickly
- Declutter cupboards and keep stored items in plastic boxes
Bedrooms and living rooms
- Vacuum regularly, including skirting boards and under furniture
- Inspect second-hand furniture and mattresses for bed bugs
- Wash bedding on a hot cycle when travelling
- Store woollens and fur in sealed bags and clean them first
- Use mattress covers that stop bed bugs
Loft, garage and shed
- Check regularly for droppings, gnawing and nests
- Store boxes on shelves rather than on the floor, in plastic rather than cardboard
- Seal gaps in walls and around pipes and cables
- Clear old bird and wasp nests when they are empty in winter
Seasonal reminders
- Spring: check for wasp queens starting nests and block gaps early
- Summer: keep food covered outdoors and watch for ants and flies
- Autumn: rodents move indoors as it gets colder, so check entry points
- Winter: check lofts for cluster flies and rodent activity
Check the outside every season
- Walk round the house and look for gaps around pipes, cables and vents, cracked air bricks and holes in brickwork
- Make sure drain covers are intact and inspection chamber lids sit flat
- Cut back ivy, climbing plants and branches that give rats and squirrels a route onto the roof
- Keep the space under sheds, decking and conservatories clear and blocked off
Flats and shared buildings
In a flat, pests can arrive through shared walls, floors and service ducts, however well you keep your own home. Report pests in communal areas, bin stores and risers to your managing agent or landlord, and ask neighbours if they have seen anything, because joint treatment works best. See pest control for blocks of flats.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.