Spring
Spring Cleaning Pest Checklist – Caulking, Door Sweeps, and Yard Prep in Rolla, MO
| Dec 11, 2025
As temperatures rise across Phelps County, pests begin scouting for food, water, and shelter. Add these simple steps to your spring cleaning to stop them at the source—and keep your home fresh and pest-free.
1) Seal Up Cracks and Gaps
- Inspect window frames, siding joints, sill plates, and foundation cracks.
- Use exterior-grade silicone/urethane caulk around utility lines, vents, and plumbing penetrations.
- Replace worn weather stripping and repair torn screens.
Even a 1/4-inch gap can allow ants, spiders, and mice to slip in—especially around doors and utility penetrations common in older Rolla homes.
2) Install or Replace Door Sweeps
- Add door sweeps to exterior and garage doors.
- Stand inside at night—if you see daylight under a door, pests can enter.
- Install a tight-fitting garage bottom seal to block beetles and rodents.
Pro tip from Plank: Door gaps are one of the most common causes of recurring pest issues we see during spring inspections in Rolla.
3) Yard Cleanup & Vegetation Trimming
- Trim shrubs and tree branches to keep foliage off the siding and roofline.
- Rake away leaf litter and excess mulch along the foundation perimeter.
- Store firewood and compost 20+ feet from exterior walls.
Why it matters: Cluttered beds and vegetation bridges give ants, spiders, and occasional invaders a cool, shaded runway straight into your home.
4) Fix Moisture & Drainage Issues
- Clean gutters/downspouts; extend downspouts 6–10 feet from the foundation.
- Address low spots that hold water after spring rain.
- Repair leaky spigots, AC condensate lines, and splashback at hose bibs.
Moisture reduction is key for mosquitoes and many structural pests—and protects your foundation over the long term.
5) Schedule a Spring Pest Inspection in Rolla
Even with perfect sealing and cleanup, seasonal pests can still find a way in. A professional inspection ensures your home is protected before populations spike.
- Perimeter Guard Plan: Seasonally timed exterior barrier with interior coverage as needed.
- Targeted one-time treatments: Fast relief for ants, spiders, beetles, and more.
- Family- and pet-conscious options available; tailored to Rolla’s spring conditions.
Schedule Your Spring treatment
Helpful Services for Rolla Homeowners
Spring Pest FAQs for Rolla, MO
Yes. If you can see daylight under an exterior door, small insects and spiders can squeeze through. A tight sweep blocks common spring invaders. Keep both at least 20 feet from exterior walls to reduce pest pressure around the foundation. Plank’s Perimeter Guard Plan builds a protective barrier with seasonally timed treatments, tailored for Rolla’s climate. Do door sweeps really stop pests?
How far from my house should I store firewood and compost?
What service helps prevent spring pests in Rolla?
