Buying a house can be one of the most exciting AND terrifying experiences of your life. Since this is going to be one ofthe biggest decisions of your life, there’s a lot you need to account for before you sign those papers. During the dozens of inevitable house tours you will go on, make sure you keep an eye out for… pest infestations!
Look For Random Spots
- Let’s be real — all animals produce fecal matter, the same goes for the pests that are hiding within a house. Keep an eye out for fecal matter spread throughout the house, varying from small specks to little pebbles.
- A home filled with bed bugs will show signs of small red spots, usually near beds, furniture, and electrical outlets.
- Termites will create small mud tubes while also shedding their wings — such messy creatures!
Illuminate Dark Areas
With each house tour you go on, remember to bring along a small flashlight. This will allow you to inspect any dark areas of the house like crawl spaces, attics, basements, inside of cabinets, and hard to reach areas behind fixtures and walls. Many pests like to live in dark, moist areas, so it’s important to shine a light where you normally can’t see.
Let Your Nose Do The Seeing
Keeping an eye out for pests is important, but you should also keep your nose on the lookout for foul smells. Infestations of pests, such as rodents, cockroaches, and termites each have a unique odor. One that is usually musty, oily, or just downright smelly! With each room you enter, take a deep breath and see if anything smells out of the ordinary.
Touring a home you could potentially end up buying is exciting — but be sure to keep an eye out for trouble signs. When you’re looking to buy a home (or have already moved in) and need a pest management professional to inspect the house for infestations, contact Knockout Pest Control. To learn more or to schedule an inspection, give us a call at (800) 244-7378.
