Pests are coming. Are you prepared?
Purchasing a home is an incredibly exciting and rewarding time in a person’s life. There’s nothing like signing on the dotted line and being handed the keys to a brand new place, because it truly is an achievement in life.
But you have to be extremely careful when buying a house because one big problem can ruin the experience and put unwanted stress on your life. A thorough home inspection is crucial to keeping a safe and healthy living space, because of pests.
Monitor Pest Control is a pest control company that is dedicated to educating and protecting residents in and around the Atlanta metropolitan area, and we want your home-buying experience to be as smooth as possible. That’s why we’ve put together a list to help you identify a pest infestation, which could help you save money and a huge headache.
How can I tell if a home has a pest infestation?
1) Mud tubes. These are created by termites because it’s their best way to easily access food sources. If you see these in or around the house, the home has a termite problem.
2) Soft wood. Walk around the house and pay close attention to all of the wood that you see. If any of it is soft or indented, there could be a pest issue. Termites use wood as one of their main food sources. Also watch out for dark or blistered wood, as that’s another strong sign of an infestation.
3) Small piles of feces. Pest feces often resembles sawdust, so it’s not always easily detected. This means you need to pay extra attention. Check all corners, windowsills, and around all of the doors inside the house.
4) Discarded wings. Swarmers are some of the most common types of termites. They emerge from their nests to mate and then find shelter to start a colony, and homes are the most desired location for them. Swarmers discard their wings around windowsills and doors, so pay extra attention to all doors and windows before committing to a house.
How can I mitigate the pest infestation issue?
If a home you’re really interested in has a pest problem, or if you’ve already closed on the property, don’t give up! It can be controlled. Here are some tips to help you slow down the infestation and make pests have a harder time entering the home.
1) Separate the firewood. Firewood is one of pests’ favorite food sources. Make sure the firewood is separated by at least 20 feet from the house, and keep them at least 5 inches off of the ground.
2) Fix the gutters. Pests, specifically termites, love moisture. Clogged gutters can cause water to accumulate and get stuck inside the gutter, which will eventually attract moisture. To make sure this doesn’t happen, redirect the rainwater away from the foundation by purchasing down-spout extenders, and install splash blocks.
3) Keep mulch separated from the home’s foundation. Mulch is an incredibly rich food source for pests, and it also brings in moisture. Keep all mulch about 20 feet away from the base of the house, and always make sure to monitor the mulch on a regular basis.
4) Remove tree stumps. Rotting wood is a pest’s ultimate dream. It’s one of their favorite places to set up shop. Tree stumps serve zero use, so have a professional come out and remove all tree stumps around the home.
5) Trim branches and shrubs. Loose branches and long shrubbery can attract termites and various pests. Always ensure all trees and shrubs around the home are regularly trimmed and maintained.
These tips will be helpful, but casual prevention measures can only do so much in many situations. If you feel like you need professional pest control, Monitor Pest Control would be more than happy to help. We serve everyone in Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding cities, and offer a completely free home assessment. Get in touch with us at (404) 848-1508 or contact us online and let’s keep your home safe and healthy.
