Decluttering Does More Than Tidy Your Home—It Also Keeps Pests Away

It’s no secret that a well-organized home can improve your mood, make daily routines feel easier, and add a little aesthetic calm to your space. But there’s another, less glamorous benefit to keeping clutter at bay—it can help keep pests out, too.

Rodents, roaches, ants, and other unwanted houseguests love nothing more than dark corners, forgotten boxes, and hidden crumbs. "Piles of paper, clothing, cardboard, or unused boxes give pests secluded, undisturbed places to nest and breed," explains Joshua Candau of Sparkle & Shine LA. "These protected spots make detection and cleanup more difficult, giving infestations time to grow unnoticed."

Here’s how decluttering your space can help deter infestations—and some practical tips to make your next clean-out as pest-proof as possible.

Why Pests Love Clutter

 Clutter provides exactly what many pests are looking for: shelter, food sources, and places to multiply undisturbed. "Cluttered areas often conceal crumbs, spills, and food debris," says Candau. "Some pests (like cockroaches and silverfish) can also feed directly on cardboard and paper." The more clutter you have, the harder it is to spot the early signs of an infestation, and the more appealing your home becomes to critters.

According to Candau, dark and cluttered storage spaces can become nesting grounds for mice; cockroaches love cluttered kitchen or pantry spaces near food sources; and damp piles of paper, books, or cardboard can harbor silverfish. Poorly ventilated cluttered spaces can also collect moisture, Candau notes, "especially in basements, closets, and garages, making them even more attractive to pests like silverfish, earwigs, and termites."

Decluttering With Pest Control in Mind

Even casual clutter can make your home more pest-friendly if it blocks air circulation, conceals crumbs, or creates hard-to-reach cleaning zones, making regularly decluttering and cleaning one of the best first lines of defense against these critters.

"A good general rule of thumb is that the kitchen, bath, and living areas should be cleaned daily," says pest control professional Ben Stowe. "The more they are cleaned, the less likely pests will be to want to stay." According to Stowe, storage areas should be cleaned either monthly or quarterly, depending on pest activity, your home, and lifestyle.

1. Start With High-Risk Zones

Some spaces are more prone to pest problems than others. "Focus on high-risk zones first," says Candau. These include:

• Kitchens and Pantries: Crumbs, spills, and forgotten dry goods are like pest magnets. Regularly wipe under and behind refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers.
• Basements and Attics: These damp and dark spaces are prime pest territory. "Place boxes on shelves, pallets, or racks to prevent ground moisture and make pest access more difficult," Candau says.
• Closets: Dark closets cluttered with clothes, linens, and fabric can harbor moths and other critters.
  

As you go, "watch for signs of pests," says Candau. These include droppings, gnaw marks, or damaged packaging.

2. Pare Down Paper Goods and Cardboard Storage

Stacks of newspapers, magazines, and old mail do more than create visual clutter—they can also be a food source for cockroaches and silverfish. "Corrugated products and cellulose-based products are great for pests," shares Stowe.

Sort your papers, shred and recycle what you don’t need, and store important documents in sealed containers. "Avoid cardboard boxes that are easy for pests to chew through or inhabit," urges Candau. "Use plastic bins with tight-fitting lids for long-term storage."

3. Seal Food and Decant Ingredients

Examine shelves and drawers, tossing anything that's expired or has been compromised, and transfer dry goods into sealed containers. "Be sure to clean dust, crumbs, and debris often," adds Stowe.

4. Perform Closet Clean-Outs

"Keep clothes off the floor, and regularly rotate or donate unused items," says Candau. "Avoid fabric bags, which pests and mold can penetrate more easily," he adds, recommending plastic bags or containers for linens and clothing in storage.

5. Vacuum and Dust Regularly

Focus on corners, under furniture, and rarely accessed spots. As you clean, be sure to pull furniture a few inches away from walls, and make sure vents and air pathways aren’t blocked.

6. Fix Moisture Issues Along the Way

Decluttering is the perfect time to spot hidden leaks, drips, or signs of moisture—all of which can attract pests. "Fix leaks, use dehumidifiers in damp areas, and keep spaces ventilated," suggests Candau.

As you clear corners and move bins, check for dampness under sinks, around appliances, and near exterior walls. If needed, run a dehumidifier in the basement or laundry areas to keep humidity levels in check.

6. Declutter Outdoors, Too

A tidy yard helps prevent pests from finding their way inside. Keep landscaping trimmed and clear leaf piles and debris. "The more you remove harborage, the fewer pests you will see," says Stowe. "Also, do not store items against the home on the outside, especially wood piles," he adds. "Maintain a clear gap between siding and grade so that pests do not have direct access to the wood of the home." 

Garbage bins should be tightly sealed and positioned away from entry points. And if you compost, make sure your system is enclosed and properly maintained.

When to Call in the Pest Control Professionals

Decluttering is a fantastic first step and vital for maintaining a pest-free home, but if you notice signs of a full-blown infestation, it’s time to call in a licensed pest control expert. They’ll be able to identify the issue, recommend solutions, and ensure your efforts to tidy up are supported by smart prevention strategies.