If you are currently in the process of looking for a new home, you need to be on red alert when checking out the property for potential issues. While it is highly advisable to get a professional property inspection, it is also a good idea to educate yourself on some of the most common issues. One problem is pests! Read on to discover some telltale signs that the property you are viewing could have a pest issue…

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Signs of termites – Let’s begin by taking a look at some of the common signs of termites. These are extremely destructive pests, which will dine on any wood in sight, so look for damage to wooden furniture. You can find out more about these destructive pests and many others at http://womackpestcontrol.com/. You should also look for sagging floors and visible holes, as these are also strong indications that the property has a termite issue.

Grease tracks and marks – Mice and rats like to travel on the same path each and every day. Because of this, they leave a trail of evidence in the form of grease marks. Other things to look out for include footprints, urine trails, and fecal droppings. Of course, these sorts of things aren’t going to be bang on display. Look in corners of the property and hidden areas that the owners may have overlooked.

Gnaw marks and holes – Look out for things in the home that pests may have destroyed, like chewed up wires, as well as small holes in the floors and walls. Weedy areas near the house and burrows in garbage areas are also bad signs.

Odd sounds and smells – Does the property give off a musty, urine smell? If so, this is likely to indicate a mice infection. Roaches, on the other hand, have an oily smell, while rats smell like ammonia. You can find out more about the different smells pests give off here: http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/. You should also listen out for any noises too, like scurrying, squeaking, gnawing, and scratching on the walls.

Pest control products – When you are looking in the garage and the kitchen, check out for any pesticides. While it is normal for homeowners to have one form of pet control, if you have noticed a lot of bottles, especially used ones, then this is a clear indicator that they have an ongoing problem. 

If you have noticed any of the signs that have been mentioned above, it is definitely something you should bring up with the buyer. They will be able to investigate the issue further, and if there is a problem, they can rectify it so that you do not have to. You can also use it as a bargaining tool to get more money off the property. Or, using San Francisco as an example, you could do a search for find the best pest control company in San Francisco and get a quote, then write it into the contract for the seller to pay for three months of services or longer. Nevertheless, just because the issue has been rectified does not mean you should overlook the professional inspection – this is still of paramount importance.

This is a contributed post.

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