A pest inspection is one of the final steps in your home-buying process. It’s an important step, too. A home inspector looks for infestation, damage, and potential hazards hidden from plain sight. No matter how tempting it might be to start moving your stuff in right away, you want this part of the process to go right, so you want to follow these steps very closely. We’ve put together a pest inspection preparation guide to help you get your house ready for a professional inspection.
Clean your kitchen
Clean your kitchen thoroughly. The inspector will check for any signs of infestation, such as webs, nests, or droppings near food preparation areas. They will also check for leaks in the drain line and signs that rodents may have recently had access to the area.
Bathroom
Thoroughly clean the sinks and bathtubs, including any cracks and crevices where pests may hide. Sweep floors and mop if needed. Remove excess hair from drains and clean under sinks (including behind pipes). Check toilets for damage or leaks that could attract pests. If possible, remove toilet lids so you can inspect inside tanks for any signs of nests or larvae; be sure to replace any lids securely after checking them out.
Vacuum everywhere
You want your house to look as clean as possible during the inspection, so do yourself a favour and vacuum everywhere. This includes under furniture and beds, behind doors, and along baseboards. It doesn’t need to be spotless — make sure there are no visible signs of dirt or dust anywhere that could distract from other important things.
Clean out your garage and shed
If you have one or both of these structures on your property, ensure they’re clean and debris-free. You don’t want any surprises here — especially if they’re full of clutter. You should also check around your outside walls; if there are cracks or holes, seal them up so that rodents can’t get into the house through them.
Move indoor plants to the outdoors
If you have indoor plants, it’s best not to move them around while they’re being inspected. This can confuse and delay the process, costing you money in lost time and money. Instead, move all your indoor plants to the outdoors before the inspection and bring them back inside after the pest inspector leaves so they can be put back where they belong.
Store all pet food and bowls away in an airtight container
Pet food attracts mice and rats, so it’s important not to leave it out where these pests can access it. If you have pets, store their food bowls in an airtight container when not in use so that no rodents or insects can get into them and contaminate them with their droppings or saliva.
Clean all pets’ bedding and put it away until after the pest inspection
The inspector will be looking for fleas and ticks, which can hide in blankets or pet beds for several days after feeding on an animal. If fleas or ticks are on your pet, speak with your veterinarian and get them treated as soon as possible.
Pest inspectors can help you identify and solve problem areas in your home. Following the steps above will ensure your inspection goes well and isn’t delayed by issues that must be resolved before the inspector can perform their work.
