When you purchase a new home, it is one of the most exciting and exhilarating times you will ever experience. Whether it is your first time since buying a house or your fifth, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement.
Unfortunately, as with any significant life transition, you will be forced to take the good with a measure of bad. Just because a home is new to you, it doesn’t mean you won’t inherit a few issues.
The last thing a new homeowner wants to deal with is a pest problem. At Environmental Pest Management, we want to help you to prevent and overcome any potential pest problems. Let us walk you through some of the steps you can take to ensure your new home is pest-free.
New Home Inspection
Before you close on the purchase of your new home, you should have two separate and distinct home inspections. You will need a basic home inspection and a WDO Inspection.
Basic Home Inspection
For this basic inspection, you will need to hire a licensed and qualified home inspector. This professional inspector will perform a thorough inspection of your potential new home.
This inspection will show the structural condition of the home, with a specific focus on the plumbing, electrical, roofing, and HVAC systems.
Additionally, the inspector will test all the appliances and check all the pipes and spaces under sinks for leaks.
WDO Inspection
A WDO, or Wood Destroying Organisms Inspection, is more commonly known as a termite inspection. The more general term WDO is used because while termites are the most common wood-destroying organisms, they are not the only wood-destroying organisms.
A qualified WDO inspector will be able to detect certain signs and symptoms that a typical home buyer will miss.
On top of searching for an existing wood-destroying organism infestation, a certified inspector will be able to point out potential avenues for future infestations. You will be able to prepare for and prevent a possible problem before it arises.
On average, termites and other wood-destroying organisms case over $5 billion in damage and repair costs each year. To avoid high costs and lengthy repairs, work to prevent termites and other pests from entering your home in the first place.
Once you have purchased your new home, there are some proactive measures you can take to ensure a lower likelihood of infestation. Let’s go over a few now, room by room.
Kitchen
Many pests and rodents are attracted to the same food that you and your family enjoy. The most effective way to prevent pests is to limit their food supply.
Make a family rule that food stays in the kitchen and dining area only. The fewer areas where crumbs can accumulate, the less likely you will have an infestation throughout your entire home.
Now that you are keeping food residue contained in a small area of your home, you must work to keep that area free of residue and debris. Clean your kitchen and dining room floors daily to avoid food build-up.
We recommend that you sweep every day and vacuum as much as possible, at least once a week.
Any spills should be cleaned immediately. If any food or liquid accidentally spills under your furniture, make sure to move and clean under each piece to avoid attracting unwanted visitors.
Pay special attention to your sink area. Be sure to wash dishes every day and do not leave a full sink to sit and stew overnight.
Such a prize will be hard for pests to resist.
Make sure to take care of any slow or clogged drains right away. Remember, just like you, bugs and pests need water to survive.
Pantries
The place where you store your food is particularly vulnerable to unwanted pests. People tend to overlook pantries and storage spaces when cleaning.
Make sure you wipe down bottles and containers after you use them. This step is especially crucial with sticky products, like honey or syrup.
All of your food and ingredients should be stored appropriately. Invest in some good, high-quality storage containers. Look for products that are airtight and easy to seal.
Keep an eye on all of your fruits and vegetables. Make sure to throw out or compost any products that are spoiled or on the way to spoilage. If you have ever had a fruit fly infestation, you know just how difficult it is to rid your home of those pesky fliers.
Closets
You may not realize the drawing power dirty clothes can be to pests. Never store or put away dirty clothes in your closet with your clean clothes.
Have a designated place for dirty clothes. Try to find a space that is separate from your clean clothes.
For those of you who live in places that experience severe winter weather, make sure to have your winter clothes suitably cleaned before you store them away for the warm summer months.
Just like your food and ingredients, you will find it beneficial to purchase and use airtight storage containers for your infrequently used seasonal clothing.
Garbage
Of all the places in your home, the most likely breeding ground for a pest infestation is probably wherever you keep your garbage.
To prevent pests, make sure you wash out all of your used containers before you throw them away. On top of that, make sure you are constantly cleaning your garbage receptacles.
Rotten or rancid food residue is a sure draw for pests and insects. At least once every other week, take your trash can outside and thoroughly wash them with soap and water. A hose is a helpful tool for this task.
Also, make sure your trashcan has a lid that provides an adequate seal. Keep your lid on your trashcan as much as possible to harness the smell.
As all of us have no doubt learned, pests are an unfortunate part of our everyday lives. It is almost impossible to completely rid our homes and lives of these unwanted and unwelcome critters.
The best we can do is take the proper precautions in order to possibly prevent a potential infestation.
If you live in the Twin Cities, MN area, and you are suffering from a pest problem, contact Environmental Pest Management for your free estimate today. We are your one-stop-shop for safe and effective pest control and removal.