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Holiday Pest Prevention Tips: Keep Your Home Pest Free While You Enjoy Your Break
September 23, 2026
The Australian summer holidays are a time for family gatherings, road trips and well-earned vacations. Many people travel during Christmas, New Year and the school holiday period, leaving their homes empty for several days or even weeks. At the same time, warm weather creates ideal conditions for many common household pests. Ants, cockroaches, rodents, flies […]
The Australian summer holidays are a time for family gatherings, road trips and well-earned vacations.
Many people travel during Christmas, New Year and the school holiday period, leaving their homes empty for several days or even weeks. At the same time, warm weather creates ideal conditions for many common household pests.
Ants, cockroaches, rodents, flies and mosquitoes become more active during summer because they have easier access to food, water and shelter. Fortunately, a little preparation before you leave can greatly reduce the chance of returning to an unexpected pest problem.
Why Are Homes More Vulnerable During the Holidays?
An empty home provides pests with the perfect opportunity to settle in.
Without daily cleaning, food crumbs, rubbish and moisture may remain unnoticed. Outdoor bins may also sit longer before being emptied, while gardens can become overgrown if nobody is home to maintain them.
Summer weather also speeds up breeding cycles for many pests. As temperatures rise, insects become more active, and rodents continue searching for safe places to nest. If pests find what they need while your home is empty, they may still be there when you return.
Before You Leave: Prepare Your Home
A few simple tasks before your holiday can make a big difference.
Give Your Kitchen a Final Clean
Wash dishes, wipe kitchen benches and vacuum the floors before leaving. Remove food crumbs from under appliances and empty the dishwasher to avoid attracting ants and cockroaches.
Store pantry items in airtight containers and avoid leaving fresh fruit or vegetables on the bench while you are away.
Empty the Rubbish
Take all indoor rubbish outside before you leave. If possible, arrange for your outdoor wheelie bins to be emptied before your trip or ask a neighbour to place them out on collection day.
Clean bin lids and remove food residue to reduce smells that attract flies and rodents.
Remove Water Sources
Pests need water just as much as food.
Repair leaking taps if possible and empty standing water from pot plant trays, buckets and bird baths. This simple step also helps reduce mosquito breeding during the warmer months.
Secure Your Home
Close windows properly, repair damaged flyscreens and seal obvious gaps around doors where pests may enter.
If someone is checking your home while you are away, ask them to report any signs of pest activity.
Don’t Forget the Outside
Outdoor areas deserve just as much attention as the inside of your home.
Mow the lawn before leaving and trim shrubs away from exterior walls. Overgrown gardens provide excellent shelter for spiders, rodents and other pests.
If you have an outdoor entertaining area, clean the barbecue, remove food scraps and store pet food securely. Also, make sure wheelie bin lids close tightly to discourage flies and cockroaches.
What to Check When You Return
After your holiday, take a few minutes to inspect your home.
Look for signs of ants in the kitchen, cockroach activity around cupboards, rodent droppings in storage areas and unusual pest activity near rubbish bins or gardens.
If you notice repeated pest sightings or signs of an infestation, arrange a professional pest inspection before the problem becomes more difficult to manage.
Enjoy Your Holiday With Greater Peace of Mind
Preparing for a holiday involves more than packing your bags and locking the front door. Taking a few simple pest prevention steps before you leave can help protect your home while you are away.
By keeping your home clean, reducing food and water sources and checking for signs of pests when you return, you can enjoy your holiday knowing you’ve reduced the risk of unwanted visitors.
Contact Us for Pest Inspection Before or After Your Holiday.
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Book an inspection now with CPS today to arrange a professional inspection and tailored treatment plan.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community.
We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
