So the new home you are looking at has everything you need to start the next chapter of your life; a big backyard, a pool, a spare room for mom and dad, and even a large basement. You’ve probably been told over and over again to check for water damage, check the roof, inspect the foundation, and any other repairs that will cost you after you purchase.  Don’t stop there! Pest inspection should also be on your list of things to do when looking for a new home.

Real Estate Pest Control

On the surface, the house might appear clean, but an infestation doesn’t always make itself known right away. So, before you buy, take the time to thoroughly inspect your home so you can be sure you aren’t sharing your new home with termites, cockroaches, carpenter ants, and bedbugs.

Check the Nooks and Crannies

Check your beams and foundation for termite activity in your real estate pest control checks here in South Carolina.

Insects like dark, out of the way places. Good places to start checking are behind the refrigerator and stove in the kitchen. These are ideal places for cockroaches. Next, check the basement for leaky pipes; ants, termites, and other wood-destroying insects need moisture to survive and will usually live near and in damp wood. If your new home comes with furniture check it thoroughly for bed bugs. Finally, check the beams in the attic for termite and ant activity. 

Check the Foundation for More Than Just Cracks

Your foundation is vital for the structural stability of your house but it’s also the main entryway for pests to get into your house. Pests, like termites, live in the soil and can build mud tubes up the outside of your house to gain access to weak spots or cracks. Be sure to seal up any cracks or cover any exposed wood so that pests can’t gain entry.

Check for Rodents

Checking for mice and rat nests is an essential step in real estate pest control here in South Carolina.

It’s not just insects that can turn your new home experience into a nightmare. Imagine settling in on your first night in your new house only to see a rat scamper across your feet. It’s enough to pound that “for sale” sign right back into the ground. Mice and rats are the hardest to find when you are looking for them. Then can squeeze into the tiniest nooks and crannies and know where you are before you know where they are. What you can do is look for the telltale signs of rodent activity.

Signs of a rodent infestation include:

  • Droppings – Mouse and rat excrement are tiny but easy to spot when you move some furniture or boxes around. 
  • Nests – Check old boxes, rafters, and even heating vents for nests. Nests are made up of chewed-up cardboard, fabric, or whatever is available to build with.
  • Seeds – If you have mice and rats living in the house then they probably have a way in and out that you aren’t aware of. Check the corners, cracks, and ceiling beams (or tiles in recessed ceilings) for seeds brought in from the outside such as corn and sunflowers.

Get A Home Inspection From Cramer Pest Control

Before you buy, it’s important to get a home inspection so you don’t wind up sharing your new home with a bunch of pests.

At Cramer Pest Control, we offer a variety of pest control services including real estate pest control and inspections so you can feel safe in your own home. Just call and we’ll send out one of our pest control experts to assess the situation.

Call today at SC: (803) 802-7540, NC: (704) 763-0204  or contact us on our site.