Preventing pests: the proofing calendar for your house and garden
Wasps in summer, mice in autumn: a handful of measures per season that stay ahead of an infestation — and the bill.
Proofing is the core of modern pest management (IPM): first make sure pests cannot get in and find nothing to eat, products only where genuinely needed. That is not theory but the cheapest route — every infestation you prevent is a treatment plan you never have to pay for. The approach differs per season, so walk through the year.
Spring and summer are wasp season. A queen starts a golf-ball-sized nest in May; by August it holds thousands of wasps. In May and June, check eaves, shed and garden for flight traffic entering and leaving at the same spot: the earlier you have a nest removed (€ 75-150), the smaller and cheaper the job. Beyond that, keep outdoor bins closed and clear away sweet drinks and fruit — it matters most in late summer, when wasps go looking for sugar.
Autumn is rodent season: as soon as the nights turn cold, mice and rats move indoors. Do the proofing check before October: seal gaps and pipe runs — a mouse fits through an opening of less than a centimetre — fit grilles on open crawl-space and façade vents, and check where pipes meet the façade. Cover the food side at the same time: no loose bird feed on the ground, chicken and pet feed sealed, bin bags inside the container and the compost heap away from the façade. If you still hear rustling in November, don't wait: a mouse plan (€ 150-350) at the start of the nuisance is lighter and cheaper than after a winter of growth.
All year round: keep an eye on damp wood. During spring cleaning, check beams, floors and furniture for small holes with fresh, light frass beneath them — the sign of active woodworm or longhorn beetle (€ 200-750 including inspection). And if you are buying an older home, have the roof structure inspected before completion. The guide prices are in the price index; if something gets through despite the proofing, you will know what the job should cost.