Early Spring Pest Prevention: February Steps That Save Months of Headaches
February 4, 2026
Blog
Gardening & Plants
Pests and bugs don’t wait for spring to show up on the calendar. In the Pacific Northwest, a few mild days and steady rain are enough to get insects moving and rodents searching for better shelter. By the time you notice a problem, pests have often already settled in.
But February is your chance to get ahead of it and save yourself a long season of chasing problems once warmer weather sticks around.
Common Spring Pests
Knowing what’s active helps you focus your spring pest prevention efforts where they matter.
Ants, boxelder bugs (stink bugs), and other crawling insects are often the first to appear. As soon as temperatures rise, ants leave their winter nests to search for food and moisture. You’ll usually spot them along foundations, patios, and kitchen edges before spring fully settles in.
Rodents remain active year-round, but late winter pushes them closer to homes and barns. Cold, wet weather drives mice and rats to look for dry shelter, warmth, and easy food sources (often in garages, crawl spaces, sheds, and feed storage areas).
As soil softens in yards and fields, moles, voles, and gophers begin tunneling more actively, damaging lawns, roots, and garden beds.
Garden pests also start early in the Pacific Northwest. February is a key time to interrupt eggs and larvae before plants are even in the ground. Slugs, aphids, mites, whiteflies, and cabbage moths overwinter in plant debris and soil.
Mosquito activity starts with standing water. Rain-filled containers, clogged gutters, and low spots in the yard create breeding areas long before summer arrives.
Crane flies are another common early spring pest in the region. Their larvae feed on grass roots, which can lead to thinning or patchy lawns as temperatures warm.
This mix of pests is exactly why early outdoor pest management helps. Addressing small issues now prevents bigger problems later, both around your home and in your garden.
Home & Property Pest Prevention
February is the ideal time to focus on outdoor areas and building edges.
Step 1 – Clear Winter Debris Around Your Home and Buildings
This is one of the fastest wins you can get right now. Wet leaves, fallen branches, and leftover organic debris hold moisture, and that’s exactly what pests look for in late winter.
Focus your cleanup on:
- Foundations and siding edges
- Under decks and porches
- Fence lines, wood piles, and stacked materials
Step 2 – Seal Entry Points Before Pests Move Indoors
Stopping pests outside is always easier than dealing with them once they’re inside. As insects and rodents become active, even the smallest gaps can become access points.
Start by walking the perimeter of your home and buildings during daylight to look for cracks, gaps, or worn seals. Then tackle them with simple fixes.
Here’s how to seal common problem areas:
- Cracks in foundations and siding seams: Fill small gaps with exterior-grade caulk or sealant. For larger openings, use backer rod first, then seal over it.
- Door thresholds, window frames, and garage seals: Replace worn weatherstripping, repair or replace damaged window and door screens, and adjust doors so they close snugly. Garage doors should seal tightly along the bottom edge.
- Crawlspace vents, sheds, barns, and outbuildings: Repair damaged screens, add hardware cloth where necessary, and seal off unused openings with durable mesh or patches.
Step 3 – Manage Moisture and Standing Water on Your Property
In the PNW, moisture management is half the battle. Late winter rain creates perfect conditions for pests to breed and settle in.
Take time now to:
- Clear gutters and downspouts so water moves away from structures.
- Empty buckets, planters, and containers that collect rain.
- Address low spots where water pools near foundations (add drainage paths, extend downspouts, or fill shallow depressions).
- Treat standing water that can’t be drained, such as ponds or water features, with mosquito dunks to prevent larvae from developing.
Check out Getting Rid of Moisture-Loving Insects and Prevent Mosquitos Next Summer by Taking These Steps for more tips.
Step 4 – Use Preventive Pest Deterrents
Preventive deterrents work best before pests get comfortable. In late winter, you’re aiming to interrupt movement and nesting (not fight an infestation).
Start with perimeter-focused solutions:
- Use granular or spray deterrents along foundations, entry points, and building edges. These help discourage ants and crawling insects as they start scouting.
- Apply diatomaceous earth in dry cracks, seams, and crevices where insects travel. It’s effective when kept dry and used in low-traffic areas.
- Place rodent deterrents or bait stations outdoors near known activity zones, keeping them secured and out of reach of children, pets, and wildlife.
Shop Pest Control↗ | Shop Diatomaceous Earth↗ | Shop Bait Stations↗
For a lighter-touch approach, consider natural pest deterrents:
- Cedar, peppermint, or plant-based repellents work well in garages, sheds, and crawlspaces.
- Physical barriers (like mesh or copper tape) help block access without chemicals.
The key is timing. Using eco-friendly pest control options now helps reduce early activity and keeps pest pressure lower as spring picks up.
Garden & Yard Pest Prevention
February garden prep is about removing hiding spots and setting up healthy growing conditions before pests and plants fully wake up.
Step 1 – Clean and Prep Garden Beds
In damp PNW soil, this step helps reduce places where insects overwinter and sets the stage for smoother seasonal pest control once growth begins.
Start by:
- Removing old plant material and fallen leaves
- Clearing out soggy mulch and leftover debris
- Tidying bed edges and paths
Step 2 – Turn Soil to Disrupt Overwintering Pests
A simple turn of the soil can do a lot of work for you. Light cultivation exposes hidden larvae and eggs to birds and the occasional late cold snap.
This step also:
- Breaks up compacted soil
- Improves drainage and early soil warmth
- Gets beds ready for planting and transplanting
If you’re starting seeds indoors or planning early transplants, this step helps create a healthier transition from pot to ground.
Step 3 – Use Natural Soil Controls for Larvae
February is also a good time to address pests you can’t see yet. Many garden pests overwinter as larvae below the soil surface.
Beneficial nematodes are a natural option for targeting larvae before they mature. These microscopic organisms live in the soil and help control pests (like grubs and other root-feeding insects) without harming plants, people, or pollinators.
They work best when:
- Soil is moist
- Applied before heavy pest pressure begins
- Used as part of a preventive approach, not a reaction
Step 4 – Start Natural Garden Deterrents Before Growth Begins
Getting these in place early reduces how much hands-on intervention you’ll need later in the season.
Start with simple physical controls:
- Use row covers or plant collars to block insects from reaching young plants and tender stems.
- Place slug traps or boards in areas where you’ve seen activity before. These work best when set out early and checked often.
- Garden netting is also useful for protecting beds and young plants as soon as growth begins.
- Be ready for rodent pressure with deterrents like decoys or snare tape so you can respond quickly if rodents start testing garden beds or fencing.
Add below-ground protection where burrowing pests are an issue: If you’ve dealt with moles, voles, or gophers, consider installing ½-inch or ¼-inch galvanized hardware cloth beneath or around raised beds and planting areas. Burying it several inches deep helps block tunneling without affecting plant roots and works best when installed before planting.
Plan companion planting for your garden plan: Strong-smelling herbs like rosemary, dill, and mint can help deter pests (like cabbage moths). These plants also support beneficial insects. For instance, rosemary can help attract praying mantises, which prey on common garden pests later in the season.
Next, remove conditions pests rely on:
- Thin out dense ground cover and clear damp debris where insects hide.
- Improve drainage in problem areas so soil doesn’t stay wet longer than necessary.
However, leaving some undisturbed areas, planting insect-friendly herbs, and avoiding unnecessary treatments helps create space for beneficial insects to move in as the weather warms.
For more ideas, read:
- Farm & Garden Pest Control Guide
- Pest Control Solutions for a Successful Garden
- Natural Pest Control: Friendly Garden Helpers
Step 5 – Plan for Airflow, Spacing, and Healthy Growth
Good garden design is one of the most effective pest control strategies you can use. Crowded plants trap moisture, making it easier for pests to spread.
As you plan your beds:
- Space plants according to mature size, not seedling size
- Leave room for airflow between rows
- Avoid packing plants tightly along fences or walls
Healthier, well-spaced plants are naturally more resilient and less appealing to pests. Read our other guides for more help setting up your garden:
When to Monitor vs. When to Take Action
Seeing some early pest activity in late winter doesn’t mean you’re behind. In fact, noticing it is often a sign you’re paying attention, and that’s a good thing.
What Early Activity Is Normal
A few ants on warm afternoons, the occasional slug after rain, or signs of rodents moving through outdoor areas are common in the PNW this time of year. Pests are waking up, scouting, and shifting locations. This doesn’t always call for immediate treatment.
Signs Prevention Is Working
If activity stays limited and doesn’t increase week to week, your efforts are doing their job. Fewer pests near entry points, less damage in garden beds, and reduced moisture around structures are all good indicators. Preventive steps often slow pests down rather than stop them overnight.
When Additional Steps May Be Needed
Take action if you see consistent indoor activity, repeated signs in the same areas, or growing damage around foundations or garden beds. That usually means pests have found food, moisture, or shelter that needs to be addressed.
The goal of spring pest prevention isn’t to eliminate every insect. It’s to keep pest pressure low and manageable.
February Prep Makes PNW Spring Easier
Spring pest prevention works best when it’s proactive, not reactive. With a few steady steps now, your home and garden will be better set up for a smoother, more enjoyable spring.
Stop by your local Wilco Farm Store or shop online to get what you need now, so spring stays focused on growing and not pest control.
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