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GuidePests aren't just unpleasant — some damage your home or carry health risks, and most multiply fast if ignored. The key to pest control is understanding what attracts them, preventing entry, and knowing when a problem has grown beyond a DIY fix. Here's how to get rid of pests and keep them from coming back.
Different pests need different approaches — ants, mice and rats, cockroaches, wasps and hornets, spiders, and seasonal invaders each behave differently. Correctly identifying the pest is the first step, because the wrong treatment wastes time and lets the problem grow. If you're seeing droppings, damage or the pests themselves regularly, it's established, not occasional.
Pests come for food, water and shelter. Seal food in containers, clean up crumbs and spills, fix leaks and manage moisture (many pests need water), take out garbage regularly, and declutter hiding spots. Removing the attractants is the foundation — treatment without this just invites the next wave.
Pests get in through surprisingly small gaps. Seal cracks in the foundation and around pipes and wires, add weatherstripping and door sweeps, screen vents, and close gaps around windows. Exclusion — physically keeping them out — is the most effective long-term pest control there is.
For minor, early issues, prevention plus targeted DIY (traps, baits, sealing) can work. But for established infestations, recurring problems, rodents, cockroaches, wasp nests in awkward spots, or anything where you're not making progress, a pro has the products, knowledge and access to solve it safely and completely — and to find the source you're missing.
Some situations warrant a pro right away: a wasp or hornet nest near entries (stinging risk, especially for anyone allergic), signs of rodents (they multiply and carry disease), structural pests, or any infestation that's spreading. DIY on these often makes it worse or just delays proper treatment.
The durable solution combines treatment with prevention — seal entry points, remove attractants, and address the source. On Genie, pest control is handled by vetted, insured pros at an upfront price, and pairs naturally with sealing and exterior work to keep pests out for good.
Every task in this guide is something you can book on Genie — vetted, insured pros at an upfront price:
Remove what attracts them (food, water, shelter), seal entry points like cracks and gaps around pipes and doors, and keep things clean and dry. Exclusion — physically keeping them out — is the most effective long-term control.
For established or recurring infestations, rodents, cockroaches, wasp or hornet nests near entries, or anything spreading or not responding to DIY. A pro has the products and knowledge to solve it safely and find the source.
Usually because the attractants (food, water, shelter) and entry points haven't been addressed — treatment alone just invites the next wave. Lasting control combines treatment with prevention and sealing.
