Your May Home Protection Checklist_ Beat the Summer Pest Rush in New York
May is a turning point for New York homeowners. Termite swarms are peaking, ant trails are spreading, carpenter bees are drilling, and mosquitoes, ticks, and wasps are right behind them. By the time the summer pest rush hits in June, your home is already either protected or already under attack. At Knockout Pest Control, we’ve been guarding Long Island, NYC, Westchester, and Rockland County homes since 1975. Here’s the May checklist we recommend to every customer to beat the summer rush.
Step 1: Walk the Perimeter
Start outside, where 90% of pest problems begin. On a dry afternoon, slowly walk the full perimeter of your home and look for:
- Cracks in the foundation, gaps around basement windows, and openings where pipes or wires enter
- Torn screens, worn door sweeps, and unsealed vents
- Mud tubes along the foundation (a key sign of subterranean termites)
- Round, dime-sized holes in eaves and trim from carpenter bees
Seal small gaps with caulk or weather stripping. For cracked foundations or active mud tubes, call in a professional before the colony grows.
Step 2: Tame Your Landscaping
Overgrown yards funnel pests straight into your house. This month:
- Pull mulch, leaf piles, and firewood at least three feet away from your foundation
- Trim trees, hedges, and shrubs back from siding, soffits, and the roofline
- Fix any standing water near downspouts, gutters, or low spots in the yard
- Clean out clogged gutters before summer storms hit
Moisture is the single biggest invitation to termites, carpenter ants, and cockroaches across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Step 3: Watch for Spring Pest Warning Signs
By May, the pests that were quiet in March are fully active. Inside and out, watch for:
- Swarms of winged insects near windows or doors (often termites)
- Wood that sounds hollow or shows blistering paint
- Trails of small black or brown ants on counters and baseboards
- Large bees hovering near the same wood beam day after day
- Sawdust-like piles near trim, decks, or door frames
Catching any of these early can save thousands in repairs. If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, our 5 Signs You Might Have Termites guide can help.
Step 4: Lock Down the Inside
Pests need food, water, and shelter. Eliminate two of the three and most infestations fail to take hold:
- Store pantry food in airtight containers
- Empty kitchen trash daily and rinse recyclables
- Fix leaky faucets and run a dehumidifier in damp basements
- Declutter garages, attics, and crawl spaces
Step 5: Schedule a Professional May Inspection
The smartest move on this list is the easiest: book a professional inspection now, while pest activity is still ramping up. Our technicians complete more than 100 hours of training and use GreenPro-certified, environmentally friendly treatments, including Sentricon and Trelona termite baiting systems, that protect your home all summer long.
For trusted Long Island Pest Control across NYC, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, and Rockland County, call (800) 244-7378 or request a free estimate. New customers save $50 on initial service, plus 10% off termite treatments.
