Pests and Rodents in the Home
Before you buy a home, you should always check for signs of pests and rodents. Here’s what you should look for.
Rodents
Besides the obvious factor of not wanting to have mice and rats in your home, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t want rodents in your home. Firstly, they spread ticks and fleas. Rats spread diseases. Finally, both leave droppings.
Finding evidence of rodents can be especially difficult since they are nocturnal animals. This means that it would be difficult to see them during a showing or to hear scratching noises from under the floor or behind the walls. Instead, check any cabinets, pantries, or storage room for signs of rodents. This can include shredded paper or fabric. Additionally, look in cabinets for any pest control products, as these are a sign that the previous owner was dealing with an infestation. Check for any dirt, grease, or small holes in baseboards. Keep in mind a small rat can fit through a hole the size of a quarter.
Bugs and Insects
Having bugs in your apartment is annoying. Moths can eat at anything made of fabric. This includes clothes, bedding, and furniture. Cockroaches can contribute to gastrointestinal and respiratory illness and can even trigger asthma attacks. Additionally, they’re extremely hard to get rid of.
Obviously, the easiest way to tell whether you have a bug problem is to see the bugs themselves. Other signs are dead bugs, holes in packages, and any openings in the home that can let a bug come inside.
Termites
If termites have been living in your home for a significant period of time, they can cause serious issues to your foundation. However, many insurance companies do not cover any termite-related damage.
When looking for signs of termites, search for visible clusters of termites and mud tunnels in the foundation. Looking at the wood in the home will give you a good insight into termite issues. Look for sagging floors, any visible holes in the wood, or whether the wood sounds hollow when you knock on it.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are hard to get rid of. Once you see any sign of bedbugs, check all your clothing and bedding for any sign of the bugs. Afterwards, watch everything in very hot water. Professional bedbug removal can cost you up to $1,500.
Signs of bedbugs include rust-colored stains on furniture or bedding and tiny cream-colored eggs in the corners of beds and other pieces of furniture.
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