Spring is here, and so are the bugs. But before you call an exterminator, take a walk around your house. Most pest entry points are the same gaps letting your heated (or cooled) air escape. Fix the gaps, fix both problems.
Here are 5 sealing jobs any homeowner can knock out in a weekend.
1. Weatherstrip Your Exterior Doors
Run your hand along the edges of your front and back doors. Feel air? Bugs feel it too — they follow airflow to find entry points.
What you need: Self-adhesive foam or V-strip weatherstripping ($5-10 per door)
How to do it:
- Clean the door frame with rubbing alcohol
- Measure and cut strips to length
- Peel and press firmly into the frame
- Close the door and check for a snug seal
Replace the door sweep while you are at it. A worn sweep is an open invitation for ants and roaches.
2. Caulk Around Windows
Exterior window caulk cracks and shrinks over time. Those hairline gaps are highways for tiny insects.
What you need: Exterior silicone caulk and a caulk gun ($10-15 total)
How to do it:
- Scrape out old, cracked caulk with a putty knife
- Apply a smooth bead of new caulk around the frame
- Smooth with a wet finger or caulk tool
- Let cure 24 hours before rain exposure
Pro tip: Do this on a dry day above 50°F for the best adhesion.
3. Seal Pipe and Wire Penetrations
Every pipe, cable, or wire that enters your house has a hole around it. Most are poorly sealed from day one.
What you need: Expanding foam sealant for small gaps, steel wool + caulk for mouse-sized holes
How to do it:
- Check where plumbing enters under sinks
- Inspect where cable/internet lines come through walls
- Look at dryer vents, AC lines, and hose bibs
- Fill gaps with foam or stuff with steel wool first, then caulk over
Steel wool is key for rodent entry points — mice can chew through foam but not steel wool.
4. Repair or Replace Damaged Screens
Torn window screens are the number one way flying insects get inside. A single small tear is enough.
What you need: Screen patch kit ($5) or replacement screen and spline ($15-20)
How to do it:
- For small tears: apply a self-adhesive screen patch
- For larger damage: remove the spline, pull out old screen, lay new screen over frame, press spline back in with a roller tool
- Check door screens too — especially sliding patio doors
5. Address Foundation Cracks
Basement and foundation cracks let in moisture, insects, and even radon. Spring is the perfect time to inspect.
What you need: Hydraulic cement for active leaks, polyurethane caulk for hairline cracks
How to do it:
- Walk the interior perimeter of your basement
- Mark any visible cracks with tape
- Clean cracks with a wire brush
- Apply appropriate filler and smooth
Cracks wider than 1/4 inch or those that seem to be growing may need professional evaluation.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Snap a photo of the gap, crack, or mystery hole and let AI help you figure out what you are looking at. Fixy can diagnose the issue from a photo and walk you through the fix step by step.
Seal it once, solve two problems. Your energy bill and your pest situation will both thank you.
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