Moving to a New Home: Check for Pests in Advance

Whether you’re renting or buying a new property, it’s important to check your new home inside and out to make sure that it’s protected against potential insect invasions. You can use these helpful tips to turn your new home upside down to ensure that bugs stay outdoors, where they belong:

• Before moving in or signing a lease, check the property for potential bug entry points. Seal cracks and holes that may allow bugs to enter and infest,especially ants and cockroaches.
• Upgrade all screens on the property to 20-mesh for doors, windows, attic fans, and foundation vents to keep insects out more effectively.
• Hire a professional to seal holes around indoor pipes to prevent insects from flocking to areas of moisture.
• Check that at least 4 inches of foundation is visible around the perimeter of your home to keep insects from building nests in property groundwork.
• Protect exposed wood from outdoor elements by filling all cracks and crevices before painting so that bugs won’t find a hidden place to nest.
• Remove items lying on the ground from around the house exterior, including piles of wood and debris.
• Keep vegetation and plants trimmed and preferably moved a minimum of 18 inches away from the foundation of a home.
• Trim tree branches and shrubs away from housing walls and roof to prevent another insect access point.

Checking for Signs of Pest Infestation

Any property owner or real estate agent should be happy to allow you to check a home thoroughly for signs of infestation before agreeing to move in. It’s ideal to check a home when it is completely empty to examine floors, cabinets, wardrobes, countertops, and tile to look for holes, damage, droppings, or dirt buildup.

If a home has been empty for several days or weeks, check sinks and cabinets underneath the sinks for droppings or brownish streaks. It’s also recommended to look specifically for small dirt mounds where the floors meet the walls.

In areas made with wood materials, check for holes or deterioration to determine if termites have already infested. You can also examine the front and back yards to see if ant moundshave been built or if small animals have made holes near the foundation of a home.

If you find pests before your move in date, contact the original home owner or property manager to request pest control in advance. Calling an Alabama pest control company is necessary to get rid of common household pests like cockroaches, fleas, spiders, ants, bedbugs, and termites before you move in.