Fall Gardening Mistakes That Attract Pests (And How to Fix Them)

California’s Long Growing Season: A Blessing and a Bug Magnet

In much of California, fall doesn’t mean the end of gardening—it’s just a new chapter. Mild temperatures and late harvests make it a great time to plant cool-season crops or tidy up your yard.
But while you’re extending your growing season, pests are looking to extend their stay, too. The same habits that help your garden thrive can also create the perfect conditions for insects and rodents.Here are the top fall gardening mistakes that attract pests—and how to prevent them before they become a problem.

1. Leaving Overripe Produce on the Plants

When the harvest gets busy, it’s easy to miss a few tomatoes, squash, or peppers on the vine. Unfortunately, that leftover produce becomes pest bait for fruit flies, rats, and even raccoons.

How to fix it:

• Consider scheduling a pest inspection before winter if you’ve had rodent or insect activity nearby.

• Check your garden every few days and remove any fallen or overripe fruit.

• Compost responsibly—use a sealed bin or cover your compost pile to deter scavengers.

2. Skipping the End-of-Season Clean-Up

Dead leaves, plant debris, and mulch piles create cozy hiding spots for pests like earwigs, snails, and spiders—not to mention overwintering insects that will reemerge in spring.

How to fix it:

• Clear out spent plants and old mulch once your crops finish.
  
• Trim back shrubs that touch your home’s walls or foundation.
  
• Rake and bag fallen leaves rather than leaving them to pile up.
  

Brooks Tip: During fall pest inspections, our technicians often find pest activity in cluttered garden beds and leaf piles. Keeping things clean now prevents a bigger problem later.

3. Overwatering or Poor Drainage

Many California gardeners keep watering on a summer schedule well into fall. But cooler temps and shorter days mean plants need less water. Overwatering creates moist soil conditions that attract ants, fungus gnats, and earwigs.

How to fix it:

• Adjust your watering schedule as temperatures drop.
  
• Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for better control.
  
• Check for standing water near pots, planters, or hose spigots—these can quickly become pest breeding sites.

4. Storing Tools and Pots Without Cleaning

That trowel, watering can, or empty planter might look harmless sitting in the shed—but if they’re dirty or damp, pests love them. Spiders, wasps, and silverfish commonly nest in cluttered or unclean garden storage.

How to fix it:

• Clean and dry all tools before storing for winter.
  
• Keep garden sheds organized and sealed.
  
• Use airtight containers for seed and fertilizer storage.

5. Letting Firewood and Compost Sit Too Close to the House

It’s tempting to stack firewood or compost right next to the back door for convenience—but that’s like putting up a “Welcome” sign for rodents and termites.

How to fix it:

• Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and off the ground.
  
• Keep compost bins closed and away from exterior walls.
  
• Check for gaps or cracks around your home’s foundation that pests could use to get inside.

🌱 Protect Your Garden—and Your Home—This Fall

California’s mild fall is a gardener’s dream, but pests take advantage of the same conditions that make your garden thrive. A little prevention goes a long way.If you’ve noticed pest activity in your garden or around your home, Brooks Pest Control can help you stop infestations before they spread indoors. Our seasonal pest control services are tailored to California’s long growing season—so you can enjoy your garden without worrying about what’s lurking beneath the leaves.