Clark, your friendly pest control expert, is a big fan of Halloween. It is the one time of year when it’s cool to have creepy, crawly goblins knocking at your front door or sitting in your kitchen enjoying some delicious treats.

Unfortunately, the real pests that want to visit your home to feast on the tasty treats in your kitchen and pantry are far less cool. And as temperatures start to drop overnight and natural food sources outside diminish, pests – from rodents to spiders – will try to enter your home in search of food, water, and shelter.

The leading Halloween pests

You should be on the lookout for real-life ghoulish pests this fall. Some common pests that might make an unwelcome appearance in your home during Halloween include:

Spiders: While many people associate spiders with Halloween, you probably don’t want real ones taking up residence in your home. Spiders dine on insects, so controlling insects means less food for spiders.

Ants: These social insects are always searching for food to bring back to their nest, and the candy and treats associated with Halloween can be quite enticing.

Cockroaches: These filthy insects are attracted to food scraps and can quickly become a problem, especially if there are spills during Halloween festivities.

Mice and rats: These rodent pests are notorious for seeking shelter and food in homes. Be mindful of any potential entry points, especially if you’re storing Halloween decorations in basements or attics.

Flies: Opened doors and windows during Halloween parties can invite flies. They’re attracted to food, garbage, and can be a nuisance.

Stinging insects: Some Halloween decorations, especially those that mimic nests or hives, might attract real wasps and bees.

Mosquitoes: Depending on your location and the weather, mosquitoes might still be active during Halloween. Standing water from decorations or rainy weather can attract them.

Bed bugs: If you’re bringing in second-hand costumes or props, be cautious about the potential introduction of bed bugs.

Earwigs: These creepy crawlies are often found in damp and dark areas. Be mindful of areas where they might hide, especially in outdoor decorations.

Silverfish: These tiny insects are attracted to paper and cardboard. If you’re using a lot of paper decorations, keep an eye out for silverfish.

Tips to keep Halloween pests away

Prevention is key to keeping pests away, so taking steps to pest proof your home before and during Halloween can save you from spooky encounters with unwanted guests.

Inspect decorations: Before bringing out your Halloween decorations, inspect them for any signs of pests or their eggs. Stored decorations can make cozy homes for unwanted critters.

Clean outdoor spaces: Sweep away leaves, debris, and spider webs from your outdoor spaces. Pests love to hide in these areas, and you don’t want them making a surprise appearance during your Halloween festivities.

Secure trash and recycling cans: Make sure that your outdoor trash and recycling bins have tight-fitting lids. Halloween candy wrappers and leftovers can be a feast for pests.

Clean up food spills: If you’re hosting a Halloween party, be mindful of food crumbs and spills. Clean up promptly to avoid attracting ants and other insects.

Keep doors and windows closed: While greeting trick-or-treaters, be cautious about keeping doors and windows open for too long. Insects may seize the opportunity to enter your home.

Inspect costumes and props: Before donning that spooky costume or placing props around your home, give them a once-over to make sure they haven’t become hiding spots for pests.

Lighting choices: Insects are attracted to light, so consider using yellow or red outdoor lights instead of bright white ones. Doing this can help minimize the insect attraction to your outdoor spaces.

Schedule regular pest control service: If you’ve had pest issues in the past, it's a good idea to continue with a regular pest control service schedule.

Clark Pest Control has decades of experience protecting homes from a wide array of pests. Call California and northwest Nevada’s trusted pest control expert at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com if you have any questions or concerns about pests in and around your home.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.