Home Pest-Proofing: The Complete Exterior Audit Missouri Homeowners Should Do Every Spring

An exterior pest audit walks the entire perimeter of a structure examining every zone where pests find entry, harborage, or the conditions that attract them. Performed annually — spring is the ideal time, before pest season begins — it produces a prioritized list of conditions to correct that, addressed systematically, reduces pest pressure more durably than any chemical program alone.

Foundation Zone (0–18 inches)

The foundation zone is the highest-priority audit area. Walk the full perimeter examining: gaps where utility pipes and conduit enter the foundation; cracks in poured concrete or gaps in block construction; the sill plate junction where the bottom of the wall framing meets the foundation (look for gaps, moisture staining, and wood decay); weep holes in brick construction (should have mesh inserts); and the grade level relative to siding — wood siding should not contact soil. Any gap larger than 6mm should be sealed with appropriate materials.

Doors and Windows

Check every exterior door for gap at the bottom (insert a business card — if it slides under, the sweep needs replacement), gap at the threshold, and weatherstripping condition on all three sides. Garage doors require special attention: the bottom seal, side seals, and the gap between panels when closed. Check window screens for tears and proper seating in frames. Examine the caulking around window frames where they meet siding — dried, cracked caulk is a common ant and moisture entry point.

Roof Line and Attic Penetrations

Examine the soffit-fascia junction from the ground with binoculars if needed — gaps here are the primary entry point for squirrels, raccoons, and the insects that precede them. Check roof vents for intact screening and proper flashing. Look for missing or damaged fascia boards. Any gap at the roof line large enough to see daylight through warrants professional attention — wildlife exclusion at height requires equipment and experience that most homeowners don't have.

Landscaping and Exterior Conditions

Conditions in the 3-foot zone around the foundation significantly influence pest pressure. Wood mulch in direct contact with the foundation retains moisture and provides termite and carpenter ant harborage — replace with stone or pull mulch back 6 inches from the foundation. Firewood stored against the house provides rodent harborage and termite food immediately adjacent to the structure. Tree branches contacting the roof provide squirrel and raccoon access. Overgrown shrubs touching the foundation limit inspection visibility and create harborage.

D&D Pest Control includes exterior condition assessment in their standard service inspections for Franklin County and rural Missouri properties. Visit ddpestcontrolmo.com, or find providers in our Missouri directory.