4 Ways to Watch for Pests When You Buy a New Home
by Guest Post on Apr 6, 2018
It’s springtime! The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and you’re house-hunting!
But with the turning of the seasons comes increased insect activity. When you are looking for a new place to call home, you want to be sure to keep a sharp eye out for possible infestations. After all, that bungalow may appear to be your dream house, but you won’t be having very sweet dreams if bed bugs are chewing on you.
The following are some methods of watching out for infestations, so you can consider whether to call pest control or abandon ship.
1. Watch for signs of termites.
Since termites tunnel through and eat wood, termite control is crucial. They can cause hidden structural damage to a building that can end up costing a homeowner thousands of dollars. Be on the lookout for:
- Visible holes
- Sagging wood, especially the floors
- Piles of droppings that resemble sawdust
- “Tubes” made of mud that run up the outside of the house
- Discarded wings from swarms
- Knocking sounds inside the walls, ceilings, and/or floors
2. Out-of-place sounds and smells.
Other pests often give off odd odors that, when present, can be a sign of an unfortunate infestation.
- Cockroaches: an oily smell, sometimes compared to spoiled soy sauce.
- Mice: musty, like urine
- Rats: ammonia
- Bedbugs: sweet and musty
Keep an ear out for scratching, squeaking, chewing, buzzing, humming, knocking, and scuttling sounds.
Many rodents are nocturnal, so you may not hear a squeak out of them. But hearing the sounds of an infestation during the day can indicate a much more expensive problem waiting to spring on a prospective home buyer.
3. Bring a flashlight, check all the nooks and crannies.
You want to check in cabinets and closets, as well as under and behind appliances and furniture (if there is any), with a flashlight to light the area.
As you conduct your search, look for the following clues to a possible infestation:
- Dead insects or animals.
- Evidence of nesting, such as fur and other gathered materials.
- Droppings--either larger ones from rodents or smaller ones from insects.
- Grease marks and skid marks, commonly left behind by rodents.
4. Check the outside, too.
If you’re considering a house to buy, it probably comes with a yard and/or garden. Look outside for the following clues to an infestation before you purchase a new home:
- Damaged plants, such as leaves with chewed edges or insect trails left behind.
- Patchy, uneven, or damaged lawn areas.
- Mole piles and trails.
- Stagnant water.
In addition to insect and rodent pests, be sure to keep an eye out for invading animals on the grounds and in the home. If you live closer to or within a rural area, you may encounter wildlife infestations that require calling wildlife control services. This, too, should be considered before making the final house purchase.
You can do a lot to look for pest infestations yourself before purchasing a home. The best option if you can afford it, though, is to call for a professional pest control company for an inspection to be performed.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
77471 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
68061 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
64469 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
44257 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
27423 Views
Latest Articles
An All-Inclusive Guide to Eco-Friendly Interior Design: 5 Ways to Do It Best
Over 100 countries have enforced policies on sustainable consumption and production according to the 2018 UN Sustainable Development Goals Report....
on May 3, 2023
Unique Ways to Clean Your Window Tracks
As we get closer to springtime you might be noticing that your windows need a good cleaning. Not only is it your windows, but it is the window...
on Apr 3, 2023
Navigating Singapore's Property Regulations: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Singapores property market has been attracting foreign investors for many years, thanks to its stable economy, strong legal system, and transparent...
on Mar 22, 2023
What Truck Size Do I Need to Move a 3-Bedroom House
Moving to a new home can be a complex and stressful process, but with the help of the right truck size, you can make it a smooth and seamless...
on Feb 13, 2023
Five Tips to Take Better Care of Your Basement Insulation
Basement waterproofing is an essential part of home maintenance, as it helps to protect the basement from moisture, flooding, and other...
on Feb 12, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 195
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
10 Splendid Ways to Make Your Home Look Irresistibly Inviting
Nothing is more pleasing than having your home looking luxuriously dapper and cosy. However, you do not need a large budget to get your home...
Trendy and Elegant Modern Accent Chairs for Living Room
Which space do you find most comfortable to spend some fun time with your family? It is the living room which is also called the family room....
How to Pick the Best French Door Refrigerator for You
So you have decided to upgrade your kitchen by purchasing new French door refrigerators. This type of refrigerator has become very popular recently...
6 Things You Should Do After a Flood
Floods can be overwhelming, whether they are caused by a plumbing failure, falling water, a sewer backup, a sump pump malfunction or rising...
Find the Right Flooring for Your Remodeling Project
When you are renovating or redecorating, selecting the right flooring is critical to success. As well as the visual impact, you will need to...