Knowing where to look is half the battle in keeping pests out of your New England home.

If you ever played hide-and-seek as a kid, you know the possibilities are endless-- there was no limit to what spaces you'd squeeze into in order to avoid being found. You were small, the house was big, the world was your oyster. Much less fun is playing hide-and-seek with pests in your home as an adult.  Knowing where to look for a pest problem is vital in getting rid of it. Here are some places pests will hide in your New England home.

Basements

Pests can usually find two things they love in basements: darkness and moisture. Whether finished or unfinished, “man cave” or playroom, all basements are susceptible to pest problems. Basement pests tend to look a lot worse than they are; the majority do not do any structural damage or harm people or pets, but some can damage belongings if left uncontrolled.

The usual suspects: Millipedes, centipedes, silverfish, spiders, crickets, earwigs, pill bugs, sow bugs, ants

Attics

Attics tend to collect clutter, which pests find very welcoming. Boxes and unused items provide plenty of hiding spots for insects and rodents. Storage items like boxes, paper, cardboard, and old fabrics, as well as fiberglass insulation, make perfect nesting materials and even food sources for some pests.

The usual suspects: Mice, stinkbugs, spiders, beetles

Bathrooms

Another moist environment that draws the attention of household pests. Plumbing leaks, shower stalls, tubs, and sinks provide easy hydration for insects. Linen closets and cabinets are cozy places to hunker down and avoid detection.

The usual suspects: Roaches, crickets, silverfish, ants, spiders, centipedes

Wall Voids

If you’re a pest wanting to roam a home undetected, a wall void is the perfect place. These dark, tight quarters provide access to multiple rooms and make it difficult to pinpoint activity.

The usual suspects: Mice, rats, beetles, silverfish, roaches, termites, ants, bees

Cabinets

Kitchens are an obvious choice for most pests. While you may readily spot an intruder on a counter or floor, the less apparent place for pests to be is inside cabinets and pantries. Open or easily-chewed packaging and unsealed storage containers provide immediate food sources-- and nesting space.

The usual suspects: Ants, moths, grain beetles, weevils, flour beetles

Drains

It might sound like something out of a horror movie, but insects can absolutely live and breed in your drains. Moisture and organic matter provide the ideal conditions for a number of drain-dwelling pests.

The usual suspects: Roaches, fruit flies, drain flies, phorid flies

Wherever the pests might be hiding, Burgess Pest will find them and show them the door. We're the reigning champs of pest hide-and-seek.