Pest Control in Your Home

Written by Amber Felton, Evan Starkman
Medically Reviewed by Raja Durai Sam Nishanth, MBBS, MD on December 11, 2025

A kingdom of insects and small critters lives outside your home, and some of them might cause serious problems if they get indoors. Certain pests can cause property damage, infest rooms and belongings, or spread diseases. Pest control includes the steps you can take and the products or services you can use to keep these intruders out of your home or get rid of them.

Many experts recommend a pest control method that focuses on prevention first. It’s called integrated pest management (IPM). “All pests need food, water, and shelter to survive. IPM focuses on removing these to provide long-term pest prevention,” says Molly Vaseliou, associate administrator for public affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “When using IPM, there may also be times when pesticides are needed for immediate control.”

Whether you want to keep pests out or you need to evict ones that have already moved in, you’ve got options. Here’s what you need to know about common types of pests and how to keep them at bay or banish them from your home.

Several types of pests can invade your home, from rodents such as mice and rats to insects such as moths, mosquitoes, and ants, as well as other creepy crawlies such as spiders. Pests can get into your kitchen, pantry, closets, bathrooms, basements, attics, and just about any place they can access.

Many come into homes and buildings through cracks and crevices in the building’s foundation or structure. Others enter through windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed. Some come in to find shelter from the cold weather, others for food, and some for both reasons. 

An important part of home pest control is to first identify the type of pests in your home. There are several kinds: flying, jumping, crawling, and more. Some can destroy wood or fabrics and infest your food items. Others can bite or sting you, while some may feed on your blood. Others may leave droppings that, if inhaled, can cause illness. But once you find out what type of pest you have, you can learn the steps needed to get rid of them from your home. 

The four main groups of common pests are:

Flying pests. Flying pests include various winged insects, including moths, flies, bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, mosquitoes, certain types of beetles, flying ants, and termite swarmers. Flying insects come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some sting, others bite, and some are harmless. Certain flying insects can spread certain viruses. For example, mosquitoes can spread the West Nile virus, the Zika virus, and malaria. Depending on where you live, you may occasionally see a bat enter your home. Bats can spread the rabies virus to people as well as pose other health risks.

Jumping pests. The most common jumping pests that can invade your home include fleas, crickets, springtails, and certain spiders. These pests are mostly harmless, though fleas can spread diseases among household pets and sometimes even humans.

Crawling or walking pests. There is a variety of crawling and walking pests, including rodents such as mice and rats, arachnids such as spiders, and insects such as millipedes, centipedes, beetles, cockroaches, ants, and various mites. Some of these pests can produce venom or be poisonous, especially for certain spiders and insects such as centipedes. Other walking insects, such as rats and mice, can leave behind droppings that can taint food and may spread diseases to humans.

Wood-destroying pests. They can damage your home’s structure and other possessions. These pests can be hard to get rid of, so you may require the help of a professional pest control company. Wood-destroying pests include termites, carpenter ants, old house borers, powder-post beetles, and carpenter bees.

Some pests are easy to identify. But it can be hard to figure out a pest's exact species. For example, there are many species of beetles, and if you see a beetle in your home, it can be hard to tell one from another. The same goes for spiders. It can even be hard to tell a millipede from a centipede. Luckily, there are many resources you can use to help identify potential pests, including:

  • Phone apps and other internet-based systems
  • Books
  • Professional opinions
  • The National Pest Management Association’s PestWorld.org
  • The National Pesticide Information Center’s “How to Identify Your Pest”
  • Your local county extension office
  • Apps such as Picture Insect: Bug Identifier and Seek by iNaturalist

There are several ways to control pests at home, either to rid your home of a current infestation problem or to prevent one.

Practice preventive pest control

The first step in pest control is prevention. The best way to control pests is to make your home unattractive to them. Just like us, pests need water, food, and shelter to survive, and if they can’t find these in your home, they’ll likely go elsewhere.

Take these steps to put preventive pest control in action:

  • Clean up all food spills and crumbs right away.
  • Keep your counters, tables, sinks, and floors clean. Clean and dry dishes after having meals or snacks.
  • Clean under large kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves. Food debris can often collect in these spaces and attract pests.
  • Store food in containers with airtight lids or in the refrigerator. If food is stored in cardboard boxes, make sure the boxes are sealed. Cockroaches are attracted to cardboard and can get into open boxes easily.
  • Keep your trash in a container with a tight lid and take out the trash often. Place outdoor trash bins as far from your house as possible.
  • Try to keep your home free of clutter. Piles of magazines, newspapers, and boxes can attract pests and provide a place for them to hide.
  • Vacuum carpets, cracks, and crevices regularly.
  • Don’t leave pet food out overnight. Keep your kitchen counters and pantries clean, and store food in airtight containers.
  • Regularly inspect items, especially those in storage, for any sign of infestations.

Protect the house

Along with keeping your home clean and organized, take some other protective measures: 

  • Fix household leaks and clean up any excess moisture on counters or sinks right away. Cockroaches like water and can swim.
  • Fix any screens that have holes to prevent pests from entering.
  • Ensure that any weather stripping is replaced or repaired, and that doors and windows are sealed snugly when closed.
  • Check for any openings or cracks where pests may enter your house, such as behind sinks and along baseboards. If there are any, seal them.
  • If carpenter ants are a problem, look for damaged or wet wood and replace it. Carpenter ants are often attracted to damaged wood.
  • Check the foundation of your home for openings larger than one-quarter of an inch and seal them.
  • Keep your basements, attics, and crawl spaces dry and well-ventilated.
  • Have a good outdoor drainage system with good gutters to help keep water moving away from your home. Pests love moist areas, so keeping water from leaking inside your home is essential.

Many people choose to get help from pest-control professionals, use pesticides on their own, or buy various pest-specific traps such as mouse traps and ant traps. But there are a few other steps you can take in your pest control journey, including do-it-yourself (DIY) measures.

If you have already tried prevention techniques and still have a pest problem, you may need to use some kind of pesticide to treat the area. But first, be sure that you know what kind of pest you’re trying to get rid of. For example, if you’re not sure whether you have carpenter ants or termites, get help from your local extension service or exterminator. Knowing what type of pest you’re dealing with will help you choose the right kind of pesticide for your problem.

Many people have successfully used certain home remedies to prevent pests from entering their homes. Common DIY pest control solutions include:

These solutions are eco-friendly and will not harm the environment, you, or your household pets. You can find many of these solutions easily in health food stores or drug stores, and they work on various pests. You can spray these oils and sprays indoors, around cracks and crevices, your windows and doors, and even outside. 

There are many DIY pest control solutions. Many contain ingredients you may already have lying around your home, such as soaps and oils. Others shouldn’t be too hard to find at your local grocery or convenience store. Regardless, DIY pest control solutions are safer than using harsh chemicals and pesticides.

How to choose the right pesticide 

The next step is to choose a pesticide that will work against the specific pest you have and pose the least threat to your health. Bait traps are often a good way to start. These are small plastic cups that attract pests with food mixed with an insecticide.

Bait traps 

Using a bait trap allows you to confine the insecticide to a small area, rather than spreading it around. However, you'll still need to take care that kids and pets can’t get into the bait traps. Tamper-proof bait traps are available that lower the risk of accidental exposure to the pesticide. You can buy bait traps made specifically for most household pests.

Pesticides: Playing it safe

Many of these products can and do contain harsh chemicals, so you must follow their instructions carefully and wear protective gear when handling them. You must also understand the risks that come with them. Pesticides, for example, can carry a risk of certain cancers from exposure. They may also be dangerous to household pets.

If you choose to use some type of pesticide, keep the following safety tips in mind:

  • Be sure the pesticide will work on the type of pest you are trying to get rid of.
  • Always read the label before use and follow the directions carefully. Never use more than directed.
  • Look for a product that is already mixed, rather than a product you have to mix yourself.
  • Never use a pesticide indoors that is meant to be used outside.
  • Apply pesticide to the smallest possible area, rather than over an entire room.
  • Before applying the pesticide, remove children, pets, toys, and food from the area. How long should they stay out? Check the pesticide’s label — it should tell you.
  • Open the windows to air out the room after applying pesticides.
  • Wear gloves, long pants, and sleeves to protect your skin when using pesticides. Wash your clothes and take a shower after you’re done.
  • Only buy the amount of pesticide you need to use right away. If you have leftover pesticide, store it in the original bottle, out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Don’t pour leftover pesticides down your drain or in the trash. Follow the label instructions to dispose of it correctly.
  • Never use an empty container of pesticide for any other purpose.

Many people choose not to deal with pests on their own and instead opt for outside help from a professional pest control company or exterminator. In some cases, bringing in a professional is the best option, especially if you’re dealing with a larger-than-average infestation problem or with something you can’t quite see yourself, such as bedbugs or termites.

Another reason to call a professional might be when you’re dealing with bats, since bats can often carry diseases, such as rabies and external parasites. Their poop, called guano, can also harbor spores that cause disease if breathed in. What’s more, some types of bats are protected under federal law, Vaseliou says.

“Special precautions and training are needed for handling bats and cleaning up bat guano,” she says. “Because of these considerations, there are significant advantages to using a trained professional for bat removal and management.” 

Steps to remove bats from a home need to be seasonally timed, because “most states require allowing bats to raise their young prior to being excluded from a house [or] structure,” Vaseliou says. After bats are removed, it’s crucial to have a plan to seal your home so the bats can’t get back in, she adds.

If you choose not to hire a professional to remove bats, Vaseliou recommends reading these tips from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. You can also check out Bat Conservation International, which offers tips on bat removal and prevention. The site also has info about people called wildlife rehabilitators who may be able to help remove bats humanely.

How much do pest control services cost?

When you look into hiring a licensed and certified professional for pest control, the cost of services may vary a lot. The EPA’s Vaseliou says that these things can play a role in the price:

Type of pests. The exact type of treatment that your home needs depends on the pest. For example, getting rid of termites or bedbugs involves a different course of action and usually costs more than getting rid of cockroaches would.

How bad the infestation is and where it’s located. Say you need to get rid of a large infestation inside the walls of your home. That should be costlier than a service that just involves leaving pest traps. Also, getting service for an area that’s hard to reach — like an attic or crawl space — could raise the cost. These areas take more effort to reach, and your pest control professional may need to use special equipment to get access.

Emergency service vs. regular maintenance. It can cost more to get service right away or outside of a pest control company’s regular business hours. And one-time treatments usually cost more than regular maintenance plans. 

Type of treatment. The treatment plan for pest control plays a role in the total cost. The price of these methods varies based on what is required, be it chemical or heat treatments, fumigation, or eco-friendly or organic products.

How to choose the right pest control services

Take these steps before you hire a pest control company to make sure you get quality services that are safe and affordable:

Look for a license. Make sure the company has at least one licensed, certified professional who applies pesticides or directly oversees certified employees who do. Find out if the professional’s license is current, and ask if you can have a copy of it. You may be able to check a license by calling your state’s department of agriculture.

Ask if the company is bonded and insured. Bonded means the pest control company has funds to pay you back in case an employee causes any damage or loss. General liability insurance carried by a company can help protect you financially if accidents happen while pesticides are used. Workmen’s compensation insurance can also protect you if an employee gets hurt while working in or around your home. If the company says it’s insured, ask for paper copies of the insurance.

Find out if the company has a years-long track record. Check how many years it’s been in business at its current address.

Request information about any pesticides to be used. The company should be willing and able to discuss the proposed treatment plan and give you copies of pesticide labels. The labels explain how pesticides should be used, including safety measures that should be taken when using them. Tell the company you want to use the least toxic method possible to get rid of pests.

Ask what safety measures to take for children and pets. For instance, it’s important to keep children and pets away from treated areas until any pesticide spray has dried. With some treatments, the family needs to leave the home for a certain amount of time. In these cases, the EPA’s Vaseliou suggests asking the pest control company how long to stay out of the home and what steps you should take before and after the treatment to safely prepare the home for everyone. For example, ask if you’ll need to wipe down surfaces, air out rooms with ventilation, and remove or cover certain items.

Find out whether the company has joined a professional pest control association. This can be a sign that the company is committed to doing quality work and following a code of ethics.

Check for complaints filed against the company. You might be able to find out through the Better Business Bureau, your state’s departments of agriculture, your state attorney general’s office, or the EPA.

Also, watch out for certain warning signs. Be suspicious of companies or people who:

  • Don’t have a working or listed phone number.
  • Offer pest control as part of a package deal for services such as home repair or tree trimming.
  • Go door to door trying to sell services to elderly or ill people who live alone. Be sure to ask for ID and check credentials.
  • Show up at your home to show you the pests that they supposedly found in your neighborhood.
  • Tell you that they’ll charge you for pesticide by the gallon.
  • Claim that their pesticides have a secret formula that isn’t registered by the government.
  • Claim that a government agency has endorsed them.
  • Pressure you into signing a contract right away.

Thorough pest control takes work. Focus on taking preventive steps to make your home as uninviting to pests as possible. And if you need professional help, do plenty of research. Make sure the company you hire is reputable and uses the safest pest control treatments available.

Pests like rodents, insects, and spiders can invade your home through cracks, doors, and windows. They might cause problems, including property damage or health risks. It’s best to try to prevent pests from infesting your home. For instance, it’s important to keep your home clean and seal cracks where pests could get in. If you need to hire a professional pest control provider, make sure the company or person is licensed, has a good reputation, and uses the least toxic pest control method possible.

How can I prevent pests from entering my home?

Look for and seal off entry points into your home, such as cracks in walls and screens with holes. Also, keep your home clean, and think about using eco-friendly DIY solutions.

Are do-it-yourself pest control methods effective?

DIY pest control solutions such as neem oil, peppermint oil, and garlic sprays are eco-friendly and can be effective for deterring pests. To prevent infestations, seal entry points and keep your home clean and well-ventilated.

What are the health risks associated with common household pests?

Some pests can bite or sting. Some may feed on blood. Others may leave droppings that, when breathed in, can cause illness.

When should I call a professional exterminator?

Call a pest control professional if you have a large infestation, hidden pests such as bedbugs or termites, or bats, which may carry diseases.

Is pest control worth it?

Yes, pest control can help you protect your home and your family’s health. If you need professional pest control, choose a licensed, certified pro who works safely.

Add WebMD as a Preferred Source to see more of our trusted content across Google Search, AI Overviews, and AI Mode