Access
Inspect gaps beneath doors, damaged screens, roof edges, pipe penetrations, drains and delivery entrances.
Pest prevention for Lagos homes and businesses.
A practical, season-aware guide to reducing access, food, water and shelter for common pests—before small signs become bigger problems.
Four conditions drive most pest pressure.
Pests need a way in, something to eat or drink, and somewhere to hide. Prevention becomes more manageable when checks are organised around those needs.
Water
Repair leaks, clear gutters, prevent standing water and address persistently damp areas.
Food
Store food securely, clean spills, rotate stock and keep waste in well-managed containers.
Shelter
Reduce clutter, move stored items off walls and floors, and manage dense vegetation near buildings.
Moisture and movement can increase pressure.
Rain can create mosquito breeding water, drive cockroaches and rodents toward shelter, and highlight drainage or building defects. Check after heavy rainfall rather than waiting for repeated sightings.
Rainy-season checklist
- Empty buckets, tyres, trays and containers that hold water
- Clear gutters and inspect blocked or slow drains
- Check door sweeps and low-level openings after flooding
- Keep vegetation trimmed away from walls and windows
- Report new termite mud tubes or winged insect swarms
Do not let dry conditions hide ongoing risk.
Rodents may search more widely for food and water, stored-product pests can continue indoors, and termite activity may remain concealed. Harmattan dust can also make cleaning and sealing gaps easy to postpone.
Dry-season checklist
- Inspect food stores and rotate grains and dry goods
- Keep water storage areas clean and containers covered
- Look for fresh droppings or gnawing in quiet storerooms
- Seal cracks exposed around windows and service entries
- Schedule inspection before renovation or moving into a property
Kitchens, pantries and stores.
These areas bring food, warmth, water, deliveries and hidden voids together. Small routines make monitoring easier.
- Clean beneath and behind appliances on a planned schedule
- Label opened goods and use first-in, first-out rotation
- Do not leave pet food or dirty dishes overnight
- Inspect cartons and dry goods as they arrive
- Repair dripping taps and condensation problems
- Use bins with fitted lids and clean the bin area
Compounds, gardens and drainage.
Outdoor conditions often influence what appears inside. Walk the perimeter monthly and after major weather events.
- Keep drains moving and free of accumulated organic matter
- Remove unused containers and materials that collect rain
- Trim branches and dense planting away from the structure
- Store firewood and spare materials off the ground and away from walls
- Repair damaged vents, screens and external door seals
- Keep refuse points clean and located sensibly
Make prevention part of normal operations.
Facilities and operations teams can reduce risk when pest observations are recorded and assigned rather than handled informally.
A useful internal routine
- Record date, exact location and sign observed
- Photograph evidence without disturbing it where possible
- Assign building, cleaning, waste or stock actions to an owner
- Review open recommendations at each service visit
- Train relevant staff not to move monitoring devices
Prevention does not guarantee a pest-free property.
Neighbouring activity, deliveries, weather and hidden building defects can all affect risk. Use professional inspection when signs persist or the pest could affect health, property or operations.
Neighbouring activity, deliveries, weather and hidden building defects can all affect risk. Use professional inspection when signs persist or the pest could affect health, property or operations.
Prevention checklist uncovered a concern?
Tell us where you found the sign and what has changed at the property. We can help you decide whether an inspection is needed.