Buying a home for the first time is both an exciting and frightening milestone in your life. There are so many things to consider when you purchase your new home, such as loans, moving companies, and how you are going to tell your partner that their university furniture is not coming with you.
New homeowners often forget to consider the possible pests which could affect their new home. Your dream home can quickly turn into a nightmare when unwanted pests move in with you. Do not let pests dampen this exciting phase in your life and follow our pest control tips for your new home.
Pest Control Tips for New Homeowners:
We have listed some pest control tips to prevent pests in your new home and tips on how to handle a pest infestation.
1) Know Which Pests Affect Your Area:
Pest infestations are more common than we realise. There are numerous pests that infest Cape Town homes all year round. These are the pests you will most commonly find in most Cape Town areas.
- Rats
- Mice
- Birds
- Wasps
- Cockroaches
- Fleas
- Bed bugs
Pest Managers offers effective pest control for these unwanted pests in your home.
2) Ask About Pests Before You Buy Your New Home:
Buying a home can mean buying into a pest problem. Before you buy your new home, we suggest asking around about possible pest problems in the home.
You can ask the current homeowners if they have ever had any issues with pests in the past. Homeowners are obligated to disclose any issues with the home before sale. Bear in mind that the current homeowners are wanting to sell the home and will be hesitant on highlighting the home’s issues.
If you are purchasing a home that has been vacant for some time, we suggest asking the neighbours about any pest problems in the area. The neighbours will not gain anything from the sale of the house, except finally getting some neighbours, and should be honest about any possible pest problems.
If you are purchasing a newly built home, ask your estate agent if they are aware of any pest problems in the area. Your estate agent should be savvy on the area you are buying into as well as any possible faults with the home.
3) Get Your New Home Checked for Termites:
Before the estate transaction can close, your new home will need to pass a termite inspection. Termites, and all other wood-eating organisms, can often go undetected but cause severe damage in your home.
A termite inspection company will come into your new home, most likely 30 days before closing, and examine your home. You, the current homeowner, and the estate agent can be present for the inspection. Ensure the inspection company is doing a thorough job by checking that they assess these signs.
- Check all interior and exterior areas of the home.
- Check if any wood in the home is hollow.
- Check for any discarded wings, frass, and mud tubes on the exterior walls.
If termites or other wood eating organisms are detected, the home will need to be fumigated before selling. The costs of the fumigation are the responsibility of the current homeowner.
We suggest getting two or more companies to inspect your home before closing. In some cases, dishonest pest inspection companies will say that there are pests to get paid. This causes an unnecessary cost to the current homeowner and results in your new home being fumigated unnecessarily.
If the current homeowner is adamant about choosing the inspection company, we suggest hiring one yourself as well. Dishonest inspection companies will say that there are not pests to prevent the extra costs to the previous homeowner. You will then move in and must deal with the termite infestation yourself.
4) Inspect Your New Home for Points of Entry:
Once you have moved into your new home, take the time to do a thorough search for any possible places that pests can enter your home. These are a few places you should consider checking.
- Examine the openings around your plumbing pipes in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry area.
- Ensure that all exterior windows and doors seal fully when closed.
- Make sure that there are no cracks in your doors or windows.
- Check that there are no holes in your home’s foundation.
- Check for any small cracks or tears in your walls which small insects, like ants or spiders, can get through.
- Assess your roof for any openings which birds or other pests can get into.
- Ensure there is no gap between the floor and your garage door.
If you have an attic, make sure there are no gaps in the air vents or adjoining roof lines.
Many of these points of entry can be sealed yourself or you may require professional assistance. Closing points of entry is a minimal cost when compared to the stress and danger of a pest-infested home.
5) Do a Deep Clean of Your New Home:
It is always suggested to do a deep clean when you move into a new home. We suggest that you mop and sweep the floors, vacuum the carpets, scrub the bathroom tiles, and dust inside and on top of all the cupboards. Cleaning your home will alert you to any possible pest problems or points of entry.
The process of moving into a new home exposes you and your new home to multiple people. The people who moved out and their moving company, the estate agent, your moving company, friends, and family have all been in your new home within a relatively short amount of time.
Regarding COVID-19, you may consider getting your new home fully disinfected once you have moved in. Pest Managers offers pest control Cape Town and disinfecting services. Pest Managers’ disinfecting services will eliminate any germs from your home and leave it looking and smelling clean.
6) Clean up Your Outdoor Areas:
Once you have cleaned the inside of your home, turn your attention outside. Your outdoor living areas and garden are ideal breeding grounds for numerous pests. These pests can then move indoors when looking for food, warmth, or shelter.
This is a list of a few outdoor tidying tips to help prevent pests from living on your property.
- Clean up any piles of leaves or other plant matter from your garden.
- Bury your mulch.
- Trim any branches or plants which touch your house as these can give pests direct access into your home.
- Remove piles of rotting wood.
- Keep your pool clean and clear.
- If you have any fountains on your property, ensure that the water is continuously flowing to avoid pests growing in the stagnant water.
- Remove any plant matter which may be clogging your gutters.
- Keeping your garden and outdoor living areas regularly maintained is an easy way to prevent pests from infesting your home.
7) Do Not Ignore Signs of Pest Infestation:
No matter how clean your home is or how many precautions you take to prevent pests from entering your home, pests can still become a problem.
We suggest that you do a regular inspection of your home to make sure that there are no pest infestation signals. These are a few of the pest infestation signals you should look out for.
- Rodents: Droppings, gnawed cables or walls, odours, nests, and scattering noises at night.
- Ants: Heaps of sand and ants in your food.
- Bird Lice: Bites on your skin or your pet’s skin and an itching sensation.
- Cockroach:
- Silverfish: Holes in your clothing, wallpaper, or books.
- Fleas: Fleas in your carpet, curtains, or furniture, your pets are consistently scratching or biting, or small bites on your skin.
- Spiders: Webs and eggs.
- Birds: Nests, droppings, pests associated with birds like bird lice, and a foul odour.
Wasps or Bees: Nests and swarms of bees or wasps.
If you notice any signs of a pest infestation, do not ignore them. Many pests reproduce at an astounding rate and a small pest problem can become an infestation in a matter of days or weeks. Handling a pest infestation is also quicker, easier, and less expensive if you can catch the pest problem in the early stages.
If you are uncertain whether you have a pest infestation and require professional assistance, contact Pest Managers immediately for pest control Cape Town.
8) Call Professional Pest Control:
If you have a pest infestation in your new home, avoid DIY pest control methods. DIY pest control methods do not work for large-scale pest infestations, can be a waste of time and money as they may not work, and can even exacerbate the pest problem.
When you move into a new home, you naturally want to invite your friends and family over to enjoy this new space with you. Avoid feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed about your pest infestation when guests come over and contact Pest Managers for pest control.
Pest Managers is your first choice for professional pest control. We understand that buying a home comes with numerous costs. Therefore, we offer excellent pest control services that are affordable for a range of budgets.
Pest Managers also understand that you have worked hard to purchase your new home and want to be able to enjoy it. Pest Managers will quickly and efficiently handle your pest problem.