There are many aspects that you have to consider while purchasing a house. From leaks in the roof to cracks on the wall, and various other things that might need attention. Apart from these, it is important to inspect a home for damages due to pests. A New York based pest control company, NYCity Pest Control has designed Guardians of the garden – DIY Garden Pest Control infographic that has many ways to get rid of pests in a garden.
What You Need To Know About Pests When You Buy A Home With A Garden
Pests are a pain to handle and are expensive to get rid of. Also, they damage the value of the property. The last thing anyone wants is to move into a new house and deal with pest problems. Cockroaches, mice, bedbugs and ants are among the most common ones. It is hard for humans to track them as pests hide during the daytime. But, if you observe carefully you can find out that they have been lurking around. So while hunting for a house, it is important that you look for signs.
Also, if the house has a garden, you must check whether it is properly maintained. You must also find out if the garden is easy to maintain because if it’s hard to maintain then, you will be subject to unnecessary pest problems. If the backyard has trees, look for dead wood as it will affect the tree and anyone who happens to spend time under it. Unhealthy trees can pose a significant threat to property.
If you see rodents while checking out a house, this is an obvious red flag. If you see one or two flies, then it’s no big deal. But, it’s a bad sign if you can spot and locate cockroaches. Some might think that finding a pest does not necessarily mean that there is an infestation. But it may also be a sign that there could be an outbreak in the future.
In your initial visit to the place, it will hard to find out pest infestation. You can look for their breeding grounds to find out pests in the property. For example, mosquito’s breed in stagnant water. You can deduce that there are pests when you notice their excrement around the house. Mice and rats leave up to 50 fecal pellets, so if you spot them, the house may be infested by rats. Cockroach droppings are like black paper pallet, and their eggs are brown, dark red or black, and appear smooth and shiny.
If tenants are still living when you tour the place, observe the way they have maintained the place. If you see spots and holes in their cushion and carpet, it means they there is a high possibility of rodents present in the house.
Bed bugs leave tiny blood spots after they feed on their host’s blood. Dark brown or black spots are found at the places where bed bugs hide and are found on mattress and furniture. Also, if the house you’re visiting is fully furnished with wood, you have to look for signs of termite damages. Wood affected by termites may be hollow, and you will find visible holes; they will also leave behind wings which is the primary sign of their presence.
Make sure you get a certification of some sort from the seller that the place is completely pest free. The seller should have got the certification of pest control companies. If you like the house, make sure that the seller has identified the pest problem and dealt with it.
Guest Blog written by Angela Thomas