Top Pest Tips Before You Go on Holiday: How to Keep Pests Out While You're Away

You've booked the flights. The suitcase is half packed. The group chat is buzzing. But in the excitement of getting away, there's one thing most Londoners forget to think about: what's happening back at home while you're not there.

An empty house is a dream come true — not for you, but for pests. Mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, and wasps are opportunists. A quiet property with no disturbance, a few crumbs left behind, and an unlocked entry point is basically a five-star invitation. The good news? A little preparation before you leave goes a long way.

Here's your pre-holiday pest-proofing checklist, straight from the BPCA-accredited team at Pest Piper Ltd.

Bright and airy kitchen with a modern design exuding a sense of cleanliness and elegance.

1. Clear Out the Kitchen Completely

The kitchen is ground zero for pest activity, and leaving food out is the single biggest mistake people make before a holiday. Before you head to the airport, go through your kitchen properly:

• Empty your fruit bowl. Overripe fruit attracts fruit flies faster than you'd think.

• Seal dry goods (cereals, rice, pasta, flour) in airtight containers. Cardboard boxes and paper bags are not a barrier for mice or pantry moths.

• Clear the bin and give it a rinse. A bin that smells like last Tuesday's takeaway is a beacon for cockroaches and flies.

• Wipe down surfaces, the hob, and underneath appliances. Grease and crumbs are a feast — don't leave one behind.

  
  

London homes — especially older Victorian terraces and purpose-built flats — can already have existing pressure from mice and cockroaches. Taking food sources away removes the main reason they'd settle in while you're gone.

Two spotless bins neatly placed outside.

2. Sort Your Bins Outside

Outdoor bins are a magnet for rats, foxes, and flies — particularly in summer when heat speeds up decomposition. Before you leave:

• Make sure bin lids close properly and aren't cracked or broken.

• Don't leave bin bags on the floor beside the bin — rats and foxes will tear straight through them.

• If you have a side return or back yard, make sure there are no food scraps left around the outside area.

  
  

A possible entry point that pests can exploit

3. Seal Entry Points

This one surprises people: a mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a biro. Rats need slightly more room — about the size of a 50p coin — but they'll gnaw to get it if they have to.

Do a quick walk around your property before you go:

• Check around pipes where they enter through walls — gaps here are a classic mouse motorway.

• Look at the bottom of external doors — a draught excluder or door brush seal can make a difference.

• Check airbricks and vents — they should have mesh in good condition, not rusted through or missing.

  
  

If you've noticed mouse droppings or heard scratching in the walls, now is the time to call us before you go — not when you get back to find the problem has had two weeks to grow. Our team offers same-day service across London and free property inspections, so it won't slow your departure down.

4. Deal With Standing Water

Standing water is a breeding ground for flies and, in warmer months, mosquitoes. It's not something many people think about, but it matters:

• Empty plant saucers and water features if no one will be tending to them.

• Check your garden for anything that collects rainwater — old tyres, buckets, paddling pools, plastic sheeting.

• Make sure gutters aren't blocked — they should drain freely.

A clean garden is essential in pest prevention.

5. Check Your Garden and Outdoor Spaces

A neglected garden is a pest paradise — and the problems that start outside don't always stay there.

• Trim back overgrown vegetation from the sides of the property — this is where rats and mice run along, hidden from view.

• Clear any compost heaps or leaf piles close to the house — they're perfect nesting spots.

• In August and September, wasps are at their most active and aggressive. Check your eaves, shed, and garage for nests before you go. A wasp nest in a quiet, undisturbed space can grow significantly in two weeks.

  
  

A family happily prepares for their journey after pest-proofing their home.

A Note for Short-Term Landlords and Businesses

If you're letting your property on Airbnb while you're away, or you manage a restaurant, office, or commercial space that's closing up over the summer period, pest prevention is even more critical. Guests arriving to evidence of rodents or cockroaches is a nightmare for reviews and reputation — and a pest problem discovered on reopening can halt operations entirely.

For commercial clients, Pest Piper offers London-wide treatments with same-day availability and discreet, professional service. We work with restaurants, offices, warehouses, and retail spaces — and we understand that minimal disruption to your operation matters.

What to Do If You Come Back to a Pest Problem

Despite your best efforts, sometimes pests find a way in. If you come home from holiday and notice droppings, gnaw marks, flying insects, or anything that looks like an infestation has taken hold, don't panic — but don't ignore it either.

Here's what to do:

1. Don't disturb the area further. Moving things around can spread droppings (which carry bacteria) and make it harder to identify the scale of the problem.

2. Take note of where you've seen signs of activity — which rooms, which areas. This helps the technician get straight to work.

3. Call Pest Piper on 0203 488 6606. We offer same-day service across London, and our team will carry out a free inspection to assess exactly what's going on before recommending a treatment.

   
   

All of our treatments are safe for pets and children, and we back our work with a 3-month treatment guarantee (and a 1-year proofing guarantee on sealing work). So whether you're dealing with mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, a wasp nest, or flies that have decided to move in while you've been on the beach — we'll sort it out properly.

Go on Holiday, Not on Alert

The best pest control is prevention, and most of the steps above take less than an hour before you leave. A clean kitchen, sealed bins, blocked entry points, and a quick garden check are all it takes to massively reduce the chances of coming home to unwanted company.

And if you'd rather have peace of mind from a professional before you go — or you suspect there's already something lurking — Pest Piper's team is here 24/7. Book a free inspection at pestpiper.co.uk or call us on 0203 488 6606. We're BPCA-accredited, London-based, and available the same day.

Have a great holiday. We'll keep an eye on things.