Fall is a useful time to give your home a practical once-over. For homeowners in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, the goal is a clear maintenance list: what you can address now, what needs a closer look, and what to discuss with a professional.
Start where food and water collect
Check the kitchen, pantry, pet-feeding area, and space beneath sinks. The EPA’s prevention guidance recommends keeping food sealed, cleaning up crumbs, securing trash, and repairing leaks. Add these small jobs to your normal cleaning routine so they are easier to maintain.
- Move opened dry goods into containers with secure lids.
- Wipe spills beneath small appliances and around pet bowls.
- Check under sinks for moisture and record any repair needed.
- Review trash storage inside the home and in the garage.
Walk the outside with a notebook
From a safe position on the ground, look at door edges, accessible vents, window screens, and places where pipes enter the building. Note gaps, damaged materials, or areas you cannot inspect properly. The EPA also identifies closing entry points as part of rodent prevention. If an opening shows signs of animal activity, have it assessed before arranging a repair.
Make the checklist specific to your house
Instead of writing ‘check basement,’ record an exact location and a next step: ‘utility-room pipe opening: request inspection’ or ‘garage side door: ask about the worn seal.’ A photograph taken from a safe distance can help you explain the location later. Keep new observations separate from old damage so you do not assume every mark is recent.
Choose a few manageable jobs, then set a reminder to revisit the list. Include storage rooms and outbuildings that are easy to forget. This makes prevention part of regular home maintenance and gives you a useful record if activity changes.
Bring recurring activity to an inspection
If sightings continue or you are unsure what made a mark, ask for help identifying the issue. Your notes provide a starting point for that conversation. Contact Richland Pest & Bee Control to discuss your property and the areas you would like checked.
