Ways to Know if The Home You’re Looking at Has a Risk of Pests

Looking for a new home is an exciting venture that you and your family will likely go on together. As with all big decisions, everyone will have his or her own input. However, you should all agree that you want to avoid homes where pests could be a major problem. Looking for these signs will help you to know which properties to avoid.

Location of The House

While the interior of the home plays a major role in whether or not pests are going to be a problem, you also must consider the location of the house. For example, if the house is located near a swamp, a nature preserve, a lake or some other type of natural structure, you are more likely to have an animal presence. Gauge exactly how far away the spot is. A small pond a few blocks away is much different than a nature preserve practically located in your backyard.

Bait Traps Outside

When you go to look at the house, you’ll certainly pay attention to the exterior of the problem. However, some people do not know to look for bait traps. These types of traps could be used for problems with termites, bees or ants. Other types of pests are kept at bay with these devices as well. If you do see traps, you should ask the homeowners if they have been maintained.

Check Out The Wood

All different types of pests can pose problems to your house, but termites are often some of the most problematic ones. If you have termites and do not know about it, the structure of the home could be destroyed. You need to check for wood damage inside, outside and around the house. If you notice any holes in the ceilings or walls, you must ask where those came from. The gaps in the structure could be evidence that a group of termites once chewed their way through the space.

Trees Near The Property

Some pests tend to invade the inside of your house, but others will live in the yard and potentially cause problems when you try to go outside. Properties with a lot of shrubbery could become home to possums, raccoons and other such creatures that sneak out in the night in search of food. While these animals exist in virtually every community, they can be particularly dangerous if they are rabid or if you have small pets at home. You also want to be aware of any beehives. These structures can become deadly to a person who is allergic to bees.

Thinking about the possibility of pests in your new home is probably not something that you want to do. However, smart home buyers make themselves aware of these issues before they ever have a chance to cause a problem. If you notice signs of pest damage, then you either need to make the decision to put in an offer and fix it or to search for a different house.

 

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance  writer. She lives in Raleigh. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. Savannah found information for this article from Jones Bros., a company that specializes in ant control in Roseville.