Searching for your perfect new home can be exciting, but also stressful. Not only is it important that you like the property, but you also need to make sure that there aren’t any big problems with it. Along with checking all the major aspects like the roof, electrical wiring, insulation and more, it’s crucial to look out for any sneaky signs that there may be pests present in the property before you finalise the purchase or tenancy agreement and make it your new home.
Whether you are going to be buying a property or looking for a place to rent, the last thing that you need is pests making your home their home. Find a local company like Aptive California that can come out and ensure your home is ready to move into. It is highly recommended to contact experts because the problem is, that they can be very good at staying hidden away and lots of people don’t know what they are looking for, so infestations can go unnoticed for a long time. If you are searching for your next home, here are some of the main things to look out for that might be indicative of a bigger pest problem in the property.
Spotting Pests
The first and most obvious sign that you might need a pest controller in Bristol is active pests in the property. However, you might have to do a bit of digging to find the pests and determine if Bristol pest control is needed. Often, they’re not just out there displaying themselves to everybody – you’ll need to look behind things, underneath things, and do a bit of searching for any active pests in the home. If you’ve already moved into a property and have seen active pests in your home, then get in touch with Advance Pest Control Bristol, who offer expert pest control to help get the unwanted guests to leave.
Pest Droppings
Experts offering pest control in Bristol say that pest droppings are one of the biggest signs that there may be an infestation in the home. This is evidence that is sure to get left behind if you have pests infesting a property that you live in or are considering moving into. While finding pest droppings in the property is not the most pleasant experience, the good news is that it can help give you a clue as to what kind of pests you might be dealing with. Spend some time researching different pest droppings and what they look like, so that you can figure out what’s taken over in the property and how much work it’s going to take to get rid of them.
Strange Sounds and Smells
Most of the time, homes that have been infested by pests will have a distinct odour. Mice tend to have a musty smell of urine, while if there are rats in the home, there might be a noticeable smell of ammonia. Bed begs give off a musty, sweet odour according to experts, while roaches could leave the house with an oily scent. Along with these strange smells that you might notice while viewing a home, listen out for any subtle sounds that might indicate the presence of pests. For example, you may hear rodent feet pattering away, squeaking, scurrying, gnawing sounds, or scratching on the walls, floorboards and ceilings. Be wary of any homes you view that appear to be heavily masked with scents or sounds such as music as this could well be there to hide something.
Damage to Wood
It’s important to carefully check the woodwork in any home that you are considering buying or moving into. This is because damage to woodwork may be a sign of a potentially dangerous and destructive termite problem. These pests are some of the most troublesome, and when left unchecked can cause serious structural damage to a property. They can also render the property unsafe by eating through wooden furniture and fixtures. Look out for sagging floors, visible holes in the woodworks, and other damage. In a property that has been infested with termites, you may also see tan, sawdust-like faecal pellets or termite wings that have been shed.
Used Pest Control Products
While it’s not unusual for most households to keep some kind of pest control products just in case they need to be used, viewing a property that appears to have an abnormal number of these products stored might be a red flag. When viewing, it’s worth checking in the garage or other storage spaces for large quantities of pest control products. Check to see if they have been used – if you’re finding a lot of partially-used bottles of pesticides, then there’s a high chance that there has been, or still is a pest infestation problem in the property.
Tracks and Marks
Mice and rats may infest properties, and this might be spotted by looking out for greasy tracks and marks across the walls and floors. Mice and rats tend to travel along the same paths throughout the home each day, so they will often leave tracks and evidence behind them. Rats may leave dark, greasy marks as they run along the walls, so check out the walls and floors for anything that looks like it might be something more troublesome than just general marks from wear and tear. Look out for urine trails, footprints, and faecal droppings.
Breeding Grounds Nearby
When viewing the garden or outdoor area, check for any potential pest breeding grounds that could increase the risk of an infestation; for example, if there is rubbish piling up outside or in an adjacent property, or a nearby lake, pond, or other stagnant water.
Complaints from Neighbours or Former Residents
Before you decide to buy or rent a property, it is a good idea to get in touch with the former tenants, owners, or residents to find out more about the property and get a chance to ask about any pest problems it may have had in the past. Speaking to the neighbours is also a good idea – chances are that if the property does have a pest infestation, the neighbours will have noticed something, especially those who live next door.
There’s nothing worse than moving into a new home only to discover you have a pest problem on your hands. Knowing what to look out for will ensure that you can spot the signs of pests in a property as early as possible.