Updated October 2026. For homeowners and renters with a pest problem right now, and for anyone about to sell or buy a home with one.
Have a pest problem in your home? Start with 4 steps: identify the pest, cut off its food, water and way in, use the least risky treatment first, and call a licensed pro if it keeps coming back. That’s the integrated pest management approach the EPA describes. Termites are the exception: they cost U.S. owners over $2 billion a year to treat, so call a pro right away.
Jump to: 🪜 First steps · 🏠 By pest · 🤝 When to call a pro · 💲 Selling or buying · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- The EPA’s integrated pest management (IPM) approach has 4 parts: set an action threshold, monitor and identify, prevent, then control.
- Seeing one bug doesn’t always mean you need treatment. Watch first, then act if numbers grow.
- Per the EPA, termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year, and most people find them only after a swarm or visible damage.
- Selling soon? A known infestation or past termite damage is something buyers will ask about, so treat it and keep the records.
Dealing with pests is stressful. It takes time, patience and some money. But most home infestations follow a pattern, and you can usually get ahead of them in a few weeks. Here’s what to do, in order.
What should you do first about a pest infestation?
1. Identify what you have
Each pest needs a different fix, so naming it is step one. The EPA’s IPM guidance says to monitor and identify pests accurately before acting, since not every insect needs control. Take a clear photo, note where and when you see it, and look for droppings, chewed packaging, shed wings or mud tubes.
The most common indoor pests are ants, cockroaches, mice and rats. If you can’t tell what it is, a local extension office or pest company can identify it from a photo.
2. Decide if it’s a problem yet
IPM starts with an “action threshold”: the point where the numbers, or the risk, call for action. One spider in the garage is not an infestation. Droppings in the pantry are.
3. Take away food, water and shelter
Prevention is the EPA’s first line of control. Pests stay where they eat and drink.
- Store food in sealed containers and wipe up crumbs and spills the same day.
- Keep garbage in bins with tight lids, and take it out often.
- Fix dripping faucets and leaks under sinks.
- Seal cracks around pipes, windows and doors with caulk, and add door sweeps.
- Clear clutter, cardboard and stacked paper where pests hide.
4. Use the least risky treatment first
When control is needed, the EPA says IPM programs choose effective, less risky methods first: traps, baits in closed stations, targeted treatment. Broad spraying comes last. Always read and follow the product label. The EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety explains how to choose products, keep kids and pets safe, and what to do in an emergency.
What works for the most common household pests?
| Pest | Signs | First things to try | Call a pro when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ants | Trails to food or water | Bait stations, clean the trail, seal the entry | They come back after baiting, or you see winged ants indoors |
| Cockroaches | Droppings, egg cases, a musty smell | Gel baits, fix leaks, remove cardboard | You still see them after two rounds of baiting |
| Mice and rats | Droppings, gnaw marks, noises in walls | Snap traps, seal gaps, store food in metal or glass | You find rats, or droppings keep showing up |
| Bed bugs | Bites in a line, dark spots on mattress seams | Wash and dry bedding on high heat, reduce clutter | Almost always; they spread fast |
| Termites | Swarms, mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood | Keep soil dry and wood away from the house | Right away |
Rodents
Look for droppings or gnaw damage left by rodents, especially behind the fridge and stove and in the garage. A mouse can squeeze through a very small gap, so seal anything you find with steel wool and caulk. Our guide to removing unwanted animals from your property covers larger wildlife too.
Termites
The EPA’s termite fact sheet says termites rarely come out of the soil or their mud tubes, so most owners don’t know they have them until they see a swarm or hit damage during a project. To check, look for mud tubes on the foundation, and probe exposed wood for hollow spots with a flathead screwdriver. Keep soil dry with good grading and working gutters, and don’t stack firewood against the house.
When should you call a professional exterminator?
Call a pro when the problem is spreading, when it involves termites or bed bugs, or when you’ve tried twice and it’s back. A good company will find the pest, explain the plan and tell you how to prepare. Many offer a full pest control solution with follow-up visits.
Local experience helps, because pests vary by region. In Georgia, for example, you can call in professional help from Atlanta-area firms that know local termites and roaches. In South Florida, where humidity keeps pests active all year, you might call an exterminator who works in Fort Lauderdale.
Before you hire anyone, ask these questions:
Sell smarter
List your home on the MLS from $99
A flat fee instead of a percentage, and $0 to Beycome at closing. You stay in control of your sale.
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Get up to 2% back at closing
On homes listed by other agents, Beycome credits you up to 2% of the price at closing (1% kept, $1,499 minimum; not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers).
Buy a home →- Are you licensed in this state, and can I see the license number?
- What pest is it, and what product or method will you use?
- How should I prepare the home, and how long should people and pets stay out?
- Is a follow-up visit included, and what happens if the pests come back?
The EPA’s citizen’s guide also has a section on choosing a pest control company. Get two quotes for big jobs like termite treatment.
Renting?
If you rent, tell your landlord in writing, with photos and dates. Who pays for treatment depends on your lease and local law. Keep your own unit clean and sealed in the meantime, so the treatment has a chance to work.
What if you’re selling or buying a home with pests?
Pests and real estate meet at the inspection. Buyers often order a pest or wood-destroying organism inspection, and lenders sometimes require one. Read should you get a pest inspection before buying a house? to see what it covers.
As a seller
- Treat the problem before you list, and keep the invoices and any warranty.
- Fix damage, like chewed insulation or termite-damaged trim, or price it in.
- Disclose what you know. Most states require sellers to disclose known material defects, and past termite damage often counts.
- Have the pest company’s report ready for buyers who ask.
Our guide to seller disclosures explains what to share. When the house is ready, a flat fee MLS listing puts it on the MLS for $99, with $0 at closing.
As a buyer
Get the inspection, read it closely and ask for a credit or treatment before closing if it finds activity. Here’s the importance of pest inspection before buying a house in more detail. The Beycome buyer program is open to every buyer on homes listed by other agents (the commission credit can’t apply where no buyer-agent commission is offered, like most FSBO homes, or on homes listed by Beycome sellers), with no upfront fee. Beycome keeps 1% of the price, minimum $1,499, and credits the rest of the buyer-agent commission at closing, with lender approval.
How do you keep pests from coming back?
Once they’re gone, the routine matters more than any spray. Check under sinks, behind appliances and in storage areas once a month. Keep firewood and mulch away from the walls. Trim shrubs so they don’t touch the house. And deal with leaks quickly, because moisture draws roaches, termites and rodents alike.
For more, see The Ultimate Guide On How To Handle A Pest Infestation and Important Steps To Take If You Think You Have Bugs In Your Home.
Frequently asked questions
I need help with a pest problem in my home; what should I do?
Identify the pest, remove food, water and entry points, try the least risky treatment first, and call a licensed pro if it spreads or comes back. Call right away for termites or bed bugs.
What are my options for tackling a pest infestation in my home?
Prevention (sealing and cleaning), traps and baits, targeted products used by the label, or a professional treatment plan. The EPA’s IPM approach combines them, least risky first.
Which action would help to prevent a pest infestation?
Sealing gaps around pipes, doors and windows, and storing food in sealed containers. Taking away food, water and shelter is the EPA’s first line of control.
How do I know if I have termites?
Look for swarms, mud tubes on the foundation and hollow-sounding wood. Most owners find them only after a swarm or visible damage, so a yearly inspection helps.
Do I have to disclose a pest problem when selling my house?
Most states require sellers to disclose known material defects, which can include termite damage or an active infestation. Check your state’s disclosure form.
How long does it take to get rid of an infestation?
It depends on the pest and how big the problem is. Ants and mice can clear up in weeks; termites and bed bugs often need several treatments.
Prices as of October 2026. “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing; other closing costs still apply. Buyer credit: minimum $1,499, lender approval needed; not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers. Pest control companies named here are examples, not endorsements. Disclosure rules vary by state. General information, not legal or safety advice: always follow the product label.
Sources
- EPA, introduction to integrated pest management, read October 26, 2026.
- EPA, Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety, read October 26, 2026.
- EPA, termites: how to identify and control them, read October 26, 2026.
- Beycome, listing package features, October 2026.
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