Home Proofing Checklist
Keep them out, for good.
The cheapest and most effective pest control is making your home an unattractive place to begin with. Work through this list zone by zone.
Kitchen & Pantry
- Store all dry goods (flour, rice, pet food) in sealed glass or plastic containers
- Wipe benches with vinegar after every meal to kill ant pheromone trails
- Empty the bin nightly; rinse recyclables before they hit the bin
- Fix dripping taps — cockroaches and rodents need water more than food
- Seal gaps behind the fridge, dishwasher and under the sink with silicone
Roof, Eaves & Walls
- Cap chimneys and cover external vents with rodent-proof stainless mesh
- Repair broken roof tiles and lifted flashing promptly — possum and rat entry
- Fit weep-hole guards to brick veneer (stops mice, lizards, spiders)
- Clear gutters seasonally to deny mosquitoes a breeding site
- Inspect eaves for wasp and bee activity in spring
Doors & Windows
- Fit brush-type door sweeps to all external doors (closes the 6 mm gap mice exploit)
- Repair or replace torn fly screens
- Seal gaps around window frames with paintable silicone
- Install screen doors and keep them closed at dusk during mosquito season
Sub-floor & Slab
- Maintain a 75 mm inspection gap between soil/mulch and weep holes
- Improve sub-floor ventilation — every blocked vent is a termite invitation
- Direct downpipes, A/C condensate and grey water away from the slab
- Never store firewood, timber off-cuts or formwork against the house
Garden & Yard
- Trim trees and shrubs at least 1 m clear of the roof line
- Tip out anything holding water weekly (saucers, toys, tarps, old tyres)
- Keep grass short in pet areas to reduce fleas and ticks
- Remove fallen fruit promptly — attracts wasps, rodents and possums
- Store wheelie bins with lids closed; rinse the inside monthly
Bedrooms & Storage
- Store seasonal clothing in sealed tubs with cedar blocks (silverfish, moths)
- Reduce clutter under beds — fewer hiding spots for bed bugs and spiders
- Inspect hotel beds before unpacking; tumble-dry travel clothes on high heat at home
- Vacuum mattress seams and bed frame joints monthly