10 Pest Control Tips All New Homeowners Should Know

As a new homeowner, you might not be aware of the extra costs it takes to own a home. Responsible homeowners take time to add pest control to their home’s regular maintenance. What many new homeowners might not know is that keeping your home pest-free is easy as long as you know what to look for. Pest Brigade asked some expert exterminators about the advice they would give to new homeowners. 

The exterminators we asked told us that there are 10 basic things that all homeowners should be aware of when it comes to pest control in their new home. Keep reading to find out everything new homeowners should and shouldn’t do to keep their homes free from pests.

5 Pest Control Tips All New Homeowners Should Do

When it comes to pest control, homeowners should follow these 5 guidelines to ensure their homes remain pest free. Different types of pests work seasonally. Every 4 months, new homeowners should make an effort to go back over these tips to ensure that pests stay out of their homes. 

Ask about pests before you buy your new home

Whether your home is brand new or ancient, ask your real estate agent about any pest problems in the home. Many new homeowners don’t think to ask about their home’s history, but finding out what issues the home has had in the past can save you money on insurance, pest control, and regular maintenance! 

Be sure to ask the previous owner and neighbors if they’ve had issues as well. If your home has had an infestation before, there’s no need to worry. Find out how they resolved the issue or if the issue is recurring. 

If your home has had a previous infestation, call a local exterminator to see how much it would cost to handle that type of infestation in your potential home. Ask them if they also commonly service your potential neighborhood for a specific infestation.

Inspect your home for cracks, tears, and other points of entry

While inspecting your home, look out for cracks, tears, and other points of entry pests can come into. Mice and rats only need a couple inches of room to make their way into a home. Other pests that can really affect the foundation of your home such as termites and carpenter ants need only a small crack to get inside! 

While looking for points of entry, look for overgrown vegetation and dead or rotting wood on the property. These things also attract every type of pest you can think of, and should be handled immediately. 

Inspect around the sill plate on [your home’s] exterior, where the siding meets the foundation. Run your fingers along that bottom edge and look for holes. If you find holes, stuff them with copper mesh.

Do a deep clean when you move in 

Every homeowner should make an effort to keep their home clean regularly. Even cleaning up crumbs on the counter will decrease your chances of getting an infestation! However, before moving your stuff into your new home, you should conduct a deep deep clean of the entire house. Check our guide on spring cleaning tips to know what items in your home you should clean up. 

Cleaning your home also includes both inside and outside. Keep vegetation trimmed and well-kept, and keep gardens at least 15 feet away from your home. Both inside and outside your home should have good drainage, and no damp or wet spots. 

Have it treated before you move in, start clean. Trim trees, keep mulch and plants away. Watch drainage around the home.

Pick up some products to have on-hand 

Experts don’t recommend that first-time homeowners try to do their own pest control without the advice of an expert. There’s lots of handy products you can get off Amazon that’ll help get rid of pests quickly, but you should always ask an exterminator about what products you’re using before you use them.

It’s not recommended that new homeowners use heavy-duty products for their pest control. These chemicals can seriously affect your home’s environment and can even end up hurting a child or pet! If you want to try using more concentrated products like permethrin, be sure to talk to an expert beforehand. 

Using basic products like these only offer a temporary fix. To ensure pests are gone for good, homeowners will need the help of an exterminator. Pest Brigade works with quality partners. If you want to ask an expert about recommended products and application, you can call the number at the top of your screen to speak to an exterminator for free.   

Set up traps outside your home

When pests enter homes, they’re looking for either: food, shelter, or water. Pests don’t just randomly appear in your home out of thin air, they come inside from the outside world. The best way to ensure that pests never make it inside your new home is by protecting your home from the outside. 

Aside from sealing all the points of entry and ensuring that vegetation stays trimmed, homeowners should also take time to set up various traps.   

5 Pest Control Mistakes New Homeowners Make

Now that you know how to protect your home from pests, it’s important to know what you should also say away from! According to the exterminators we asked, these are the most common mistakes new homeowners make.

Use door to door exterminators 

Shady pest control companies like to prey on new homeowners by going door to door and offering services. This isn’t just unethical, it’s also illegal and one of the easiest ways to scam homeowners. If an exterminator comes to your door offering services, kindly turn them away. 

As with any kind of service, you should always do your research before you hire someone. Your home’s exterminator should have a website along with some recent customer reviews.

Ignore your home’s pest control needs

Homeowners should work with a reputable pest control company on a regular basis. If you’re a homeowner that feels comfortable enough to do your own pest control, Pest Brigade has lots of educational resources and qualified partners to help you protect your home from pests. 

The worst thing new homeowners can do is think that pest control isn’t something you have to worry about until it happens. Being proactive about your home’s pest control can save homeowners thousands of dollars. The best way to get rid of pests is to prevent infestations before they happen. 

Use the wrong products

As we mentioned, you should always ask your exterminator what kind of products are safe to use in your home. Even products that are meant to keep your home clean and moisture-free can affect your home.

No mulch unless it’s rubber. Where I am in Pennsylvania, we get lots of subterranean termites, ants, and wood roaches in it. It just holds the moisture and starts to rot underneath.

Buy used furniture 

It’s not recommended that you buy used furniture. It could have fleas or bed bugs hiding inside! However, not everyone can afford brand-new furniture, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner. 

Be sure to know how to inspect furniture for signs of bed bugs. Ask the seller if they have pets and if they’ve had flea and tick problems. Fleas can lay dormant for a year before they hatch, so they could still be hiding in your furniture!

Assume you know everything about pest control

Sure, your mom might have lots of great DIY that may have worked in the past, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you. The worst thing new homeowners can do is assume they know everything about pest control. 

There’s no shame in not knowing everything. Thankfully, exterminators are always happy to answer any questions new homeowners might have about pest control. 

Want to talk to an expert about pest control in your home? Pest Brigade works with qualified exterminators across the nation. Whether you want to ask someone a few questions, or need an expert to inspect your new home, Pest Brigade can help you find one a partner in your area today. To find a partner near you, call the number listed at the top of the page.