Common Household Items That Attract Pests

June 18, 2025

When pests find their way into our homes, it's easy to chalk it up to bad luck—a random occurrence we had no control over and hope won't repeat. But the reality is, many of us unwittingly invite pests in through everyday items and habits. Surprisingly, this realization can be empowering.

Understanding what attracts pests allows us to take proactive steps to prevent them. Let's dive into the common household items that act as magnets for pests and how we can adjust or eliminate them. It boils down to four main factors: food, moisture, shelter, and scent.

What Common Household Items Attract Bugs and Pests?

Your house is filled to the brim with things that attract pests. You have food, you have water, your house is a big, comfy source of shelter, and there are a lot of scents, both good and bad, around your home. Some of the most common household items that attract pests include:

Food crumbs and spills left on countertops, floors, or garbage bins
Open food packaging in pantries or cabinets
Pet food bowls with leftover kibble or spilled water
Dirty dishes left in the kitchen sink overnight
Unsealed trash cans or recycling bins
Piles of cardboard, paper, or clutter that provide shelter
Damp towels, bathmats, or clogged drains that hold moisture

What Liquids and Scents Attract Insects?

Although water is essential for their survival, that’s just one of the liquids that will attract pests to your house. These liquids and scents are some of the most common pest attractants:

Sugary drinks, like soda, juice, or wine. Even the dried residue on a cup from one of these drinks can attract bugs.
Beer or alcohol spills.
Standing water in sinks, trays, tubs, or pet bowls.
Perfumed products, like lotion, shampoo, or deodorant.
Scented candles or air fresheners that mimic floral or fruity aromas.
Grease buildup on stoves, walls, or range hoods.

What Clothing and Fabrics May Attract Bugs?

You might not think of your clothes as a pest attractant, but they can be! Believe it or not, some bugs have a real thing for your clothes. Certain pests are drawn to natural fabrics, others are lured in by specific colors, and some can’t resist the scent left behind on your clothing. A few of the biggest offenders when it comes to bug-attracting clothes and fabrics include:

Recently worn clothes that have sweat or body oils on them
Dirty laundry piles left in warm, damp areas
Dark-colored fabrics, especially for mosquitoes and flies
Brightly-colored or floral-print fabrics, for stinging insects
Scented dryer sheets or perfumes on fabrics
Wool or natural fabrics that can draw moths or carpet beetles

What Are the Most Common Food and Pantry Attractants?

Although it’s not a good idea to leave any kind of food out in the open, there are certain foods that pests are more attracted to. It’s a good rule of thumb to store all food in sealed containers, but you should be especially careful with:

Rice, flour, cereals, grains, and pet treats left in thin packaging
Sugary snacks and baked goods stored without airtight containers
Fruit bowls with overripe or rotting produce
Uncleaned crumbs in drawers or behind appliances
Spilled sauces or grease in the cabinet corners

What Odors or Materials Do Pests Hate?

Just as certain foods, liquids, shelters, and scents attract pests, there are also a lot of these same things that deter them. Although all pests are different and dislike different things, there are certain things that the majority of pests will be deterred by.

Most bugs dislike strong, pungent odors that include vinegar, peppermint oil, citronella, and eucalyptus. A lot of pests also dislike the scent of citrus. If you use these scents in a spray or diffuser, you might help keep some pests out of your house.

Pests also dislike areas that don’t provide them with the shelter they need. Although some pests don’t mind hanging out in the open, most like to be able to hide in an area where they won’t be bothered. If you make sure your home is clean and free of clutter, bugs won’t know where to go, so they won’t stick around.

Finally, keeping your house dry can go a long way in avoiding a pest infestation. Most pests prefer damp spaces for their nesting areas. If you can keep your house free of leaks and moisture issues, as well as keep humidity low, it will help deter pests that might otherwise move in.

How Pests Get Into Homes

Pests are small. They don’t need a lot of room to get into your house. Even rodents, which are one of the largest pests to get into homes, only need an opening around the size of a dime or nickel to access the inside of your house. A quick walk around the perimeter of your house will likely show you some holes that need to be filled. While you’re out there, check all of the following areas:

Gaps around windows, doors, vents, or utility pipes
Damaged screens or worn weatherstripping
Cracks in the foundation or siding
Open doors or windows during warm months
Damage to your roof or shingles

Another way that pests can get inside is if you bring them inside yourself. It may seem unlikely, but a lot of pest infestations start this way. Pests can hide in boxes, luggage, furniture, bags, and even groceries. Some bugs will even get inside by riding in on your pant leg. If you bring an item indoors that has a bug hiding in it, you could end up with an infestation.

How to Keep Pests Away From Common Attractants

We’ve covered a lot of surprising ways everyday items in your home might be drawing pests in. Now that you're in the know about both the obvious and not-so-obvious attractants, it’s time to take some simple steps to help keep those unwanted visitors out. Here are a few practical tips to help prevent a pest problem before it starts:

Store food in sealed glass or plastic containers
Clean spills immediately, even in hidden areas, like the corners of cabinets
Take out the trash regularly and use lidded bins
Keep laundry and damp items off the floor
Take care of moisture issues in and around your house immediately
Reduce clutter in your house
Store unused clothing in hard-sided containers
Use screens and door sweeps to block entry points
Seal holes, gaps, and cracks with caulk
Only use scents that bugs dislike
Check items and packages before you bring them into your house
Clean gutters regularly
Schedule routine pest inspections if sightings persist

Contact All-American Pest Control to Stop Attracting Pests

Even with your best efforts, you’re still likely to have things around your house that attract pests. While you do your best, it’s okay to get a little extra help. With pest control from All-American Pest Control, you won’t have to worry about attracting pests because we’ll help you ensure your home is protected.

Our Perimeter Plus Pest Control provides ongoing pest protection against over 47 common pests. Our Complete Care Bundle includes those 47 pests and adds in termites and yard pests. Whatever your pest control needs, we’ll help you make sure your house is uninviting to pests.

Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts

Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.

We proudly serve: Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Spring Hill, Summertown, Williamsport, Culleoka, Hampshire, Santa Fe, Ashwood, Bigbyville, Campbells Station, Fly, Fountain Heights, Hopewell, Pleasant Grove, Sawdust, Scotts Mill, Screamer, Silver Creek, and the surrounding areas.

For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule one of our pest experts for a free home evaluation.

tags: pest prevention | pest proofing | what attracts pests |