How To Spot Potential Pest Problems When Buying A Home

According to real estate experts, June is a great time to buy a new home in New Jersey. Typically, there’s twice as many listings compared to December and January. Not only are there more listings to check out, looking for a home during warm weather also gives you the chance to check out the property more thoroughly inside and out and that, friends, will help you spot potential pest problems before you make an offer. To help you with this endeavor, the local pest control pros at Arrow have put together a few tips to help you uncover potential pest problems.

Look for visible signs of pest activity

While walking through a potential home, be sure to look for visible signs of a pests including, but not limited to:

• Live bugs
• Droppings
• Dead bugs
• Shed skins
• Small holes in walls (caused by carpenter ants clearing frass out of their tunnels)
• Sagging floors & hollow sounding wood indicative of a termite infestation
• Nests
• Chewed or damaged boxes and containers

Areas where you should be extra vigilant include the attic, basement, crawlspace, and cabinets.

Check for moisture issues

Moisture problems attract insects, such as ants, cockroaches, and termites. Looks for signs of water damage, such as discoloration on walls and ceilings, musty odors, and peeling paint. You should also look for cracks in the foundation and inspect the bulkhead to make sure the seal is intact.

Inspect the exterior and the surrounding property too

In addition to inspecting the interior of a prospective home, you should walk around the perimeter to check the foundation, walls, and roof for signs of pest problems and other issues.  Cracks, gaps, and openings on the outside of the home make easy entry points for insects and rodents as do holes in the roof, broken vents, and missing window screens.

Pay attention to the landscaping and property layout

Unfortunately, landscaping can influence pest activity so check to make sure tree branches aren’t overhanging the house and shrubs aren’t touching the sides. You should also look at transitional areas where manicured lawn meet forest – too much dense overgrowth or tall grasses could attract ticks, and old, rotting stumps or dying trees could attract wood-destroying pests.

Hire a professional to inspect the house

If you don’t see anything that is alarming and your interest has been peaked, we highly recommend requesting a pest inspection. With some real estate transactions, certain inspections (such as WDI) are required but even if they’re not, you might want to consider hiring a pest control company to inspect for your own peace of mind.

And don’t forget to protect your new home from pests

Once you’ve found the home you love and have moved in, make sure you protect it from insects and rodents with ongoing home pest control services. At Arrow Pest Control, we offer year-round plans for homeowners in Tenafly, Franklin Lakes, and across Bergen County as well as throughout our multi-county service area that stop termites, mice, and other house-infesting pests. Check out our plans and pricing below or give us a shout if you’d like more information!