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General Pest Control

How to Keep Insects Out of Your House

By Planet Friendly Pest Control·3 min read
01

How to Keep Insects out of Your House and Away from Your Pets

Wondering how to keep insects out of your house and away from your pets?

Insects and rodents are masters of squeezing into small spaces. It's not difficult for them to find entryways into your home.

Your pet can also bring in pests from outside. Even a short venture into the backyard for a potty break can result in your pet bringing in stowaways.

Once inside, they can bite your pet, eat your pet's food, and cause damage to your home's structure.

Keep your pet and home safe with these tips for defending against pests.

Watch the video

02

Seal Up the Gaps

Bugs and rodents can squeeze into your home through very tiny gaps. Mice only need a nickel-sized hole to enter your home. Insects can get in through even smaller spaces.

Patch any gaps, cracks, or holes you find on your home's exterior. Common spots for gaps include around windows, doors, foundations, roofs, vents, and holes where any cables or other utilities run into your home. Use caulk to seal those gaps.

03

Treat Your Yard

Treating the exterior of your home with environmentally pest control options can cut down on bugs entering your home. Keeping the treatments outdoors limits your family's exposure to chemicals. It can also stop the begs before they ever reach you.

04

Minimize Standing Water

Eliminating standing water can help with backyard mosquito control. Mosquitos are attracted to stagnant water, which is where they breed.

Empty containers that collect water frequently. If you have a birdbath, clean it out and change the water frequently.

05

Clean Up Your Yard

All those fallen leaves, brush, and other things in your yard give pests the perfect spot to hide. When your pet ventures outdoors, he becomes an ideal target for those bugs.

Rake the leaves and pick up larger debris regularly. Trimming shrubs and trees can cut back on tick exposure. Don't forget your gutters, which can collect leaves and may harbor bugs.

06

Treat Your Pet

Give your pet another layer of protection from outdoor pests with flea and tick treatments. Always check with your vet, choose a product designed for your pet, and follow the package instructions for safe use. Never treat your pet with products designed for people or yards.

07

Keep Your Home Clean

Cleaning inside your home can get rid of insect eggs and larvae, which can prevent a massive pest infestation. Fleas are notorious for breeding in your home and continuing to bug your pet.

Wash pet beds regularly. Don't forget your own bedding, especially if your pet sleeps with you. Vacuuming carpeted floors can also help remove insects and their eggs.

08

Put Away Pet Food

Pests enter homes for shelter and food. Your pet's food could attract unwanted houseguests.

Avoid leaving open bags of pet food around your home. Pour it from the bag into an airtight container to not only keep it fresher but also to minimize attracting pests.

09

Learn How to Keep Insects Out of Your House

Figuring out how to keep insects out of your house areas isn't difficult with some preventative measures. Physical barriers and treatment options cut down on the risk of pests entering your home and bugging your pets. Keep our planet-friendly outdoor protection in mind to protect your home and pets from pests.

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Planet Friendly Pest Control

Eco-conscious pest control for homes with pets across Southern Maryland & Northern Virginia — serving local homeowners since 2010.....

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  • Josh F.

    Google review · Sep 2026

    Alex was great! Very professional and explained the whole process before doing any work. We had a wasp nest in our wall, getting in through a seam between our brick and siding. I thought it would be a costly problem, but it was taken care of in about 15 minutes.

  • Amy B.

    Google review · Sep 2026

    I am very pleased with the work of Planet Friendly Pest Control. I had a large wasp nest in the garage and they came out to treat it the same day! The process was clear and professional. I was told the price when I called and they didn't try to upsell me on a monthly or quarterly contract. As mentioned above, they came out the same day I called and they texted me when they were on their way. They treated the nest and then came back a week later to confirm it was taken care of and removed the nest. It's now been a couple of weeks since the initial visit and no sign of new wasps! I would not hesitate to use them again.

  • Nicholas V.

    Google review · Sep 2026

    Excellent service and full explanation of service

  • Jfk

    Google review · Sep 2026

    Great service. Wasps eradicated the next day.

  • Cheryl P.

    Google review · Aug 2026

    Tech was very nice, explained what the chemical is designed to do.

  • Patrick H.

    Google review · Jul 2026

    I want to sincerely thank Planet Friendly Pest Control and its owner, Gene Wright, for their immediate response and action to deal with a hive of Bald Face Hornets who, unbeknownst to me, had taken home in a fair size shrub at the back of my house. As I attempted to trim the shrub, I was swarmed by Hornets and stung 8 or 9 times before I could get to safety. I left my tractor and tools in a hurry and was afraid to retrieve them until the bee issue was addressed. Again, PFPC responded quickly and allowed me to get my tools and continue my recovery from the bee stings. I considered the price to be very fair for the treatment of the issue at hand and the sharing of knowledge to avoid further such mishaps. I will only call PFPC when in need of pest control.

  • Jason M.

    Google review · Jul 2026

    Gene was honest and thorough.

  • Betty E.

    Google review · Jul 2026

    Roger came out and killed hornets in large nest on our house. It was taken care of the day after I called for service.

  • Joyce

    Google review · Jul 2026

    Joshua was Friendly and efficient.

  • Ken C.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Planet Friendly has been doing our pest control for several years now. They are reliable, and perform a great service for us. We are notified by email when the appointment is confirmed. They are always professional and knowledgeable.

  • Nikole R.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Really appreciate Roger coming out to the house to not only treat for common insects that like to make their way into the house (regularly scheduled maintenance), but also exterminate a hornet nest we found on our deck this last week. Great service, arrives on schedule (and sends a text with arrival time when he’s on his way), and most importantly - no critters coming inside my house - or hornets potentially stinging us. Recommend Planet Friendly Pest Control to anyone looking for an exterminator.

  • Kathleen M.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Great service. No bugs in the house! They quietly and quickly get the job done, no hastle.

  • San D.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Roger was very kind and professional. He did an excellent job attending to areas of the exterior of our home that required extra attention.

  • Patti W.

    Google review · Jun 2026

    Gene Wright came highly recommended by multiple neighbors. He came out the same day I called and showed great knowledge about our mouse problem! Gene was responsible, knowledgeable and a delight to deal with. We highly recommend Planet Friendly Pest Control.

  • Denise A.

    Google review · Apr 2026

    This is my third year using Planet Friendly to control ants in my home. I have yet to see an ant. What a relief. This is a real necessity where I live. Thank you.

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