Buying a new home should be an exciting time. You will have spent time searching for the right place, ensuring it has the right features, you can handle the work that needs doing, and many other things. Before you complete the purchase it is important to have surveys done, these confirm the structural stability of the building and its value.
But, in all the excitement, it can be easy to overlook pest inspections. It is important to note this is different from the structural inspection. After all, that may report damaged wood but it won’t tell you if it is rot, termites, and whether the damage is ongoing or not.
You need to check here before you complete your home purchase and be sure you know the pest situation in your new home.
Check The Schedule
The first thing you should ask is when was the last pest inspection done and has it been done regularly. Many sellers will have an inspection done when selling but may not have had an annual inspection. That means any infestation has gone unnoticed and could have caused a significant amount of damage.
You’ll need to find out more from your own experts to ensure you are not about to buy a house that needs extensive work. By simply searching “pest control near me,” you can find a company that meets your criteria and you trust to evaluate the home. The key here is to guard yourself with experts and not rely solely on what you have been told
Regular pest inspections don’t just give you confidence that any pest damage is minimal, it also shows the owner takes care of the house.
Look For Moisture/Water Gathering
It’s a good idea to look for any signs of moisture damage in the property and outside. Moisture weakens the building materials and attracts pests. This can be a serious issue.
Visually inspect the walls, ceiling, and floors. You also need to look at the guttering and drainpipes. Blockages cause water to flow into your home instead of away from it. Alongside this standing water will attract mosquitoes, potentially giving you another issue to deal with.
Check Entry Points
You should also walk around the inside and outside of the property looking for gaps and cracks. While large cracks are obvious and can be assessed for structural issues, small cracks often go unnoticed. These are the easy entry points for pests. You will need to seal them.
Not only does this mean work as soon as you move in, but it also means that you are more likely to have a pest issue inside the property.
This also includes checking all the screens on the property to ensure they are not damaged.
React fast
If you find a pest issue then you’ll have to talk to the seller regarding who is taking care of the issue. In most cases, the seller will reduce the price slightly and leave you to sort the issue. This is the best approach as you will be able to verify the pests are dealt with properly, and able to hire your own professionals that you’ve personally vetted, such as professionals at Turner Pest Control Orlando.
However, you should make sure you schedule it as soon as possible to prevent complications. It’s also the perfect opportunity to set up your annual inspection and take care of your new home.
