Vacation planning usually revolves around booking flights, making restaurant reservations, and figuring out what to pack.
But there’s one important task that often gets pushed to the bottom of the list: preparing your home.
Even if you’re only gone for a week, an empty house is more vulnerable to problems like plumbing leaks, pest activity, and minor maintenance issues that can quickly get worse without anyone around to notice.
Spending a little time getting your home ready before you leave can help you avoid unpleasant surprises when you return, so use this simple checklist before your next trip so you can relax knowing your home is protected while you’re away.
1. Deep Clean Before You Leave
A clean house isn’t just nice to come home to. It also makes your home much less attractive to pests.
Start with the kitchen, where crumbs and food residue tend to collect. Wipe down countertops, sweep and vacuum the floors, and don’t forget the spaces under appliances where small food particles often hide.
Before you leave, make sure you’ve:
- Emptied the sink and dishwasher
- Cleaned the garbage disposal
- Wiped down the dining table and kitchen island
- Vacuumed around pet feeding areas
These simple tasks remove the food sources that attract ants and other common household pests. Plus, you’ll appreciate returning to a fresh, clean home instead of one that smells like last week’s leftovers.
2. Remove Trash and Store Food Properly
Empty every indoor trash can before you leave, including bathrooms, bedrooms, and home offices. If your recycling contains food containers, give them a quick rinse before taking them outside.
Next, take a look through your pantry. Transfer dry goods like cereal, flour, rice, and snacks into airtight containers if they aren’t already stored that way. Pet food should also be kept in sealed containers instead of its original bag.
If you’re leaving for more than a week, toss leftovers and other highly perishable foods that may spoil while you’re gone.
3. Check for Water Leaks and Moisture Issues
A slow leak may not seem urgent when you’re home, but it can become a much bigger problem if it continues unchecked for days.
Before leaving, inspect faucets, toilets, sinks, washing machine hoses, and exposed plumbing for signs of leaks. Look for dripping fixtures, damp cabinets, or standing water around appliances.
Moisture doesn’t just increase the risk of water damage; it also creates ideal conditions for many household pests and can encourage mold growth if left alone.
4. Secure Entry Points Around Your Home
Pests are surprisingly good at finding tiny openings. Walk around both the inside and outside of your home, checking doors, windows, garage doors, utility openings, and vents for cracks or gaps. Replace worn weather stripping, repair damaged door sweeps, and seal small openings where appropriate.
While you’re at it, inspect window screens for tears or loose edges that could allow insects inside.
5. Prepare Your Yard Before Vacation
Your landscaping can have a bigger impact on pest activity than you might expect. Before leaving, mow the lawn and trim bushes or tree branches that touch your home’s exterior. Dense vegetation provides shelter and easy access for insects and rodents.
Clear away fallen branches, leaf piles, and other yard debris, and empty anything that holds standing water. Buckets, flowerpot saucers, children’s toys, and clogged gutters can all become breeding sites for mosquitoes after a summer rain.
If you store firewood, move it away from your home’s foundation. Wood piles can attract termites, ants, and other seasonal pest infestations while providing convenient shelter close to your house.
6. Protect Your Outdoor Living Spaces
Patios, decks, and outdoor kitchens often get overlooked during vacation prep. Clean your grill, wipe down outdoor tables, and remove any food residue from cooking or dining areas. Empty outdoor trash cans and recycling bins, especially if they contain food packaging or drink containers.
If severe weather is in the forecast, bring in or securely store outdoor cushions, umbrellas, and lightweight furniture to prevent damage while you’re gone.
7. Ask Someone to Check on Your Home
No checklist can prevent every possible issue, which is why it’s helpful to have someone keeping an eye on your property.
Ask a trusted friend, family member, neighbor, or house sitter to stop by every few days. Their visit doesn’t have to take long, but it can make a big difference.
Ask them to:
- Bring in mail and packages
- Look for plumbing leaks or storm damage
- Check that doors and windows remain secure
- Watch for unusual pest activity
- Make sure outdoor lights are working
Catching a small issue early is much easier than discovering it after you’ve been away for two weeks. Not to mention, regular check-ins also make your home appear occupied, adding another layer of security.
8. Schedule Preventative Home and Pest Inspections
If you’re planning an extended vacation, consider scheduling a professional inspection before you leave.
A home inspection can uncover small maintenance issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. A preventative visit from pest control professionals can identify early signs of termites, carpenter ants, fire ants, rodents like mice and rats, mosquitoes, or other developing pest infestations before they have weeks to spread in an empty home.
Professionals know where to look for hidden activity and can recommend treatments or preventative services if needed. And addressing these concerns before your trip is almost always less expensive (and far less stressful) than returning home to extensive pest damage or a growing infestation.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Getting your home ready for vacation doesn’t have to take an entire weekend. A few simple tasks, like cleaning thoroughly, removing food sources, fixing leaks, maintaining your yard, and sealing entry points, can dramatically reduce the chances of dealing with pests or unexpected maintenance problems while you’re away.
Before your next trip, add home preparation to your travel checklist right alongside packing your suitcase and confirming your reservations.
You’ll enjoy your vacation a little more knowing you’ve done everything you can to protect your home, and you’ll appreciate walking back into a clean, safe, and well-maintained space when your travels are over.
