Pest prevention

Water. The EPA's termite guidance is blunt about moisture: maintain proper grading and drainage, fix leaks immediately, and keep gutters and downspouts clear. Damp soil and damp wood attract and sustain a long list of pests, not just termites.

Wood-to-ground contact. The EPA advises against storing firewood near the house and against letting trees or plants grow against wood surfaces. Any path from soil to untreated wood is an invitation.

Openings. Rodents and insects come in through gaps around pipes, vents, doors and utility penetrations. Sealing them is the durable fix; bait alone treats the population, not the access.

Food and clutter. Sealed food storage, prompt cleanup, and reducing harborage removes the reason pests stay. This is unglamorous and it works. Against 2026 treatment costs of $1,000-$4,000 for bed bugs or $1,500-$8,000 for fumigation (This Old House), a weekend of sealing and cleaning is a good trade.

How to choose

Fix moisture first

EPA termite guidance names grading, drainage, leaks and gutters. It's the highest-value preventive work in most homes.

Move the firewood

EPA specifically advises against storing firewood near the house — it's a direct bridge for termites and other wood pests.

Seal, don't just bait

For rodents, exclusion is what ends the problem. Ask any rodent quote what sealing it includes.

Set an action threshold

The EPA's IPM framework asks you to define "a point at which pest populations or environmental conditions indicate that pest control action must be taken." One ant is not an infestation.

Annual inspection beats emergency treatment

Orkin notes termite colonies usually take more than five years to become damaging — inspections catch things well before the $3,000 average repair.