Places You’re Likely Forgetting To Check For Pest Activity

When pests sneak into a home, they don’t always go for the obvious places. While most people check pantries, basements, or behind appliances, these critters often favor tucked-away corners and out-of-sight spaces. What makes these areas even more appealing is how often they’re ignored. Whether it’s due to inaccessibility, infrequent use, or just being overlooked during regular cleanings, these locations provide the perfect hideaway for pests to settle in without drawing attention.

Let’s pull back the curtain and take a closer look at some of the lesser-known areas where unwanted visitors might be lurking.

Inside Wall Voids And Behind Electrical Outlets

Walls do a great job of keeping things in—or out—but what’s going on behind them isn’t something most folks think about. Wall voids, especially in older homes or those with unsealed gaps, offer a warm, quiet, and secluded environment that pests like rodents, ants, and cockroaches can really make their own. Once inside, these intruders can travel from room to room without being noticed, building nests or creating trails that remain undisturbed for weeks or even months.

Electrical outlets and switch plates, particularly if they aren’t sealed tightly, can act as gateways into these spaces. Mice and insects can slip through tiny openings around the plates or squeeze in through damaged drywall and start exploring what’s on the other side. You might not hear them or see any droppings until the issue is well underway, especially if their entry point is concealed behind furniture or décor.

This kind of hidden infestation can slowly snowball if it’s not addressed. And since people rarely remove outlet covers or open up their walls unless they’re remodeling, this hiding spot often goes unchecked. Pest activity behind walls can also lead to other complications like chewed wires or insulation damage, making the problem bigger than just an annoyance.

Beneath Cabinets, Inside Kickplates, And Under Sinks

You’d be surprised how much can go on just a few inches below eye level. Kitchens and bathrooms are hotspots for pest activity—not just because of crumbs or garbage, but because of moisture and warmth. The area beneath cabinets, especially those that have a kickplate or baseboard that’s sealed or enclosed, offers dark and humid conditions that pests like silverfish, roaches, and even spiders gravitate toward.

Kickplates, which are those recessed panels under your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, often trap spills, crumbs, and moisture over time. Since most people don’t remove them during routine cleaning, any pests that find their way in can thrive there undisturbed. It doesn’t take much for them to multiply, and before long, you could be dealing with a steady flow of insects that emerge during the night.

The same goes for under sinks—those areas where pipe cutouts aren’t sealed all the way, or where leaks have gone unnoticed. These wet, dark nooks create an ideal breeding ground for pests like ants, drain flies, and even occasional rodents. What makes this worse is that pests can enter from the crawlspace or walls behind the sink and go undetected for quite a while.

Inside Furniture, Upholstery, And Storage Bins

Soft furniture might seem like an odd place for pests to hide, but certain insects, especially bed bugs and carpet beetles, love it there. Sofas, recliners, ottomans—any piece with seams, fabric folds, or a hollow frame—can house pests that are looking for warmth and a reliable food source. And no, that doesn’t necessarily mean blood-feeders only. Some feed on skin cells, oils, and even pet hair that collects in these areas.

Infrequently used furniture, like guest beds or storage benches, are even more susceptible because they go untouched for long stretches. Meanwhile, the pests can breed, spread, and potentially move into neighboring furniture or rooms.

Closets, attic bins, and plastic totes used for off-season clothing or holiday decorations are another often-ignored location. Stored fabric items can attract moths or beetles, while cardboard boxes may lure in roaches or even silverfish. Since these storage containers don’t get opened regularly, a small infestation can build up over time unnoticed. And by the time it’s discovered, the pests may have made their way into linens, clothes, or other nearby materials.

Behind Appliances, Inside Vents, And In HVAC Systems

Appliances can be real magnets for pest activity, and not just because of leftover food. Large items like fridges, dishwashers, stoves, and washers often go unshifted for months or even years. Dust, crumbs, and moisture collect behind them—creating a near-perfect setup for pests to take advantage of. The dark, warm motor compartments and hidden corners behind or beneath these machines are commonly used by ants, cockroaches, and even rodents as pathways or nesting grounds.

Air vents and ductwork are another overlooked entry point and hiding place. If there are gaps in the vent seals or the ducts are rarely cleaned, pests can get in and spread from one part of the house to another with ease. Ducts that aren’t regularly inspected might also trap insect droppings or dead pests, which can worsen indoor air quality and attract scavengers.

In homes with central heating or cooling systems, the crawl space or attic where the unit is located may have open access points. These areas are rarely visited and often provide shelter and isolation. Insects and rodents don’t need much space to squeeze in—and if they find it hospitable, they’ll hang around. Worse, they can begin nesting inside insulation or around the duct boots, which connects the HVAC system to your living spaces.

Don’t Let Hidden Spaces Become Breeding Grounds

Pests don’t need a grand entrance or a big invitation—they’re content with whatever space they can find that’s out of sight and relatively undisturbed. The problem is, those forgotten corners and overlooked nooks give them the time and cover they need to settle in and expand. By the time signs of activity appear, the issue may already be entrenched in parts of your home you haven’t thought to inspect.

At Three Suns Pest Control, we know exactly where pests like to hide—because we’ve seen it firsthand in countless homes. Our team uses thorough inspection techniques and proven methods to track down infestations no matter where they’re lurking. If you’re hearing strange noises, spotting unexplained droppings, or just have a feeling something’s off, it might be time to take a closer look—literally and professionally.

Let us help uncover what’s hiding in the places you’ve overlooked. Contact Three Suns Pest Control today and get ahead of the problem before it spreads.