October 23, 2026
Snowbird home return checklist: pest signs to check
Short answer: When you return to your Palm Beach County home after months away, check the garage, attic, kitchen and bathrooms for droppings, insect activity and termite signs, run every faucet and drain, and walk the yard for ant mounds, standing water and lawn damage. If you find droppings, termite wings or pellets, or a lot of roaches, schedule an inspection before you settle in.
A closed-up home in South Florida doesn’t stay empty for long. While you’re away for the summer, warm weather, quiet rooms and dry drains give pests time to settle in. Whether your seasonal home is a condo in Boca Raton, a villa in Delray Beach or a house in Palm Beach Gardens or Jupiter, this checklist helps you spot problems early.
Before you arrive
- Ask a neighbor, property manager or house watcher to open the house and run the A/C a day or two ahead
- Schedule lawn service and any pest control service for your return week
Entry, garage and exterior
- Look for droppings along garage walls, near stored items and in corners
- Check for gnaw marks on boxes, bags of potting soil or bird seed, and stored pool supplies
- Look up at soffits, vents and the roofline for gaps or damage
- Check door sweeps and weather stripping
- Look for mud tubes on the foundation and garage walls, a sign of subterranean termites
Attic and ceilings
- Listen for scratching or running at night, a common sign of roof rats
- If you can safely look in the attic, check for droppings, nesting material and disturbed insulation
- Look for water stains on ceilings, which can attract roaches and termites
Kitchen
- Check cabinets and pantry for droppings, pantry moths or beetles, and chewed packaging
- Run the faucets and garbage disposal. Dry drains can let sewer roaches in.
- Look under the sink and behind the refrigerator for roach activity
- Throw out any opened dry goods left behind
Bathrooms and laundry
- Run every faucet, shower and tub, and flush toilets, to refill drain traps
- Check under sinks and around the water heater for moisture and roaches
- Look for small flies around drains
Windows, doors and wood
- Check windowsills for small wings, a sign of a termite swarm while you were away
- Look for tiny pellet piles that look like coffee grounds near trim, doors, furniture or baseboards. These are from drywood termites.
- Tap wood trim and door frames; hollow-sounding wood is worth a closer look
Our guide to termite signs in Palm Beach County and our drywood vs. subterranean termites pillar explain what you might be seeing.
Yard and lanai
- Look for ant mounds along walkways and the foundation
- Empty standing water from pots, bromeliads and buckets
- Check St. Augustine lawns for brown or yellow patches that could be chinch bugs, especially in hot, dry weather
- Look at hedges and palms for whitefly or sooty mold
- Check screen enclosures for tears
What to do if you find something
- Droppings or noises: schedule a rodent inspection. Don’t put out poison bait inside the home yourself.
- Wings or pellets: save a few in a zip-top bag or take a photo for the technician.
- Lots of roaches: run all the drains, then schedule service.
- Lawn damage: see our lawn and ornamental care options.
Make next season easier
Before you leave next spring, store food in sealed containers, clean out the pantry, put drain stoppers in unused tubs and sinks, and set up regular exterior residential pest control while you’re away. For exterior service, you usually don’t need to be home, as long as we can get into the yard.
Frequently asked questions
Can you service my home while I’m away?
For exterior service, usually yes, as long as we can access the yard. Appointments are scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Why are there so many roaches after I’ve been away?
Dry drains are a common reason. When water evaporates from drain traps, roaches can come up from the plumbing. Running every faucet helps.
What should I do with termite wings I find on a windowsill?
Save a few in a sealed bag and call for an inspection. The wings help identify which termite you’re dealing with.
Should I check my condo for pests too?
Yes. Condos can have ants, roaches and termites. Check with your association about what’s covered in common areas.
How do I book a complimentary inspection for my return?
Call (561) 725-5274 or book on our contact page.
Request a complimentary inspection
Book a complimentary inspection and we’ll share what we find, explain your options and recommend a plan for your home.
Request a complimentary inspection: qandlpest.com/contact-us/ · (561) 725-5274
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Inspect first. Treat smart.
About the author
Michael Ringler, Q and L Pest Management. Q and L Pest Management is a family-owned pest control company based in Lantana and serving Palm Beach County since 2022.Q and L Pest Management LLC holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443. Services are performed under FDACS Certified Pest Control Operator John Park, certificate #JF320165.