Spring Pest Prevention Checklist for Missouri Homeowners

Spring is the highest-leverage time of year for pest prevention in Missouri. Addressing the conditions that support pest populations before those populations build means far less reactive treatment later in the season. This checklist covers the most impactful steps homeowners can take in March through May.

Exterior Inspection and Exclusion

• Walk the full exterior perimeter and inspect the foundation for cracks, gaps around utility penetrations, and any openings that could allow rodent or insect entry — winter frost heave and settling sometimes open gaps that were sealed the previous fall
• Check all door sweeps and replace any that show visible gaps or wear — the garage service door and exterior basement doors are the highest priority
• Inspect window screens and repair or replace any with tears or holes
• Check crawlspace vent screens — replace any that are missing, damaged, or have gaps around the frame
• Inspect the soffits and fascia for gaps, particularly at corners and where soffits meet the exterior wall — these are entry points for wasps, hornets, and mice
• Examine roof vents and gable vents for intact screening

Landscape and Perimeter Cleanup

• Pull mulch back from direct foundation contact — maintain at least a 6-inch gap between mulch and the foundation wall. Mulch holds moisture and provides insect and rodent harborage immediately adjacent to the structure.
• Remove overwintered leaf debris from the foundation perimeter — this material shelters early-season ants, beetles, and other insects
• Trim back shrubs and vegetation so it is not touching the exterior walls — plant-to-wall contact is an insect highway into the structure
• Cut back tree branches within 6 to 8 feet of the roofline — these provide access for squirrels, rats, and carpenter ants
• Move firewood storage away from the house if stored adjacent to the foundation over winter — at least 20 feet and elevated off the ground
• Check for and remove any debris piles, old lumber, or stored materials that could serve as pest harborage near the structure

Standing Water and Moisture

• Inspect gutters and clear any debris — clogged gutters hold standing water that is both a mosquito breeding site and a source of moisture damage that attracts carpenter ants and termites
• Verify downspout extensions direct water away from the foundation
• Check for low spots in the yard adjacent to the foundation where water pools after rain — these feed into the moisture conditions that attract pests
• Remove or address any containers, objects, or features that collect standing water — bird baths, unused containers, clogged drains — before mosquito season begins
• Check under sinks and around plumbing fixtures inside for any slow leaks that developed over winter

Interior Inspection

• Inspect the basement or crawlspace for evidence of winter rodent activity — droppings, gnaw marks, nesting material — and address any active populations before spring breeding begins
• Check stored items in the basement, garage, and attic for signs of pest activity in cardboard boxes or soft stored material
• Look for termite swarmers or mud tubes in the crawlspace, basement, and around foundation walls — early spring is prime swarmer season
• Inspect kitchen and bathroom cabinet interiors for signs of early ant or cockroach activity

Schedule Professional Service

• Schedule your spring perimeter treatment for late February to early March — before ants and other insects become fully active
• If you have not had a termite inspection in more than a year, schedule one in spring
• Set up your mosquito and tick yard program for a first treatment in early to mid-May