• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives
  • 100 Words

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

7 Signs That the Home You Want to Buy or Rent Has a Pest Problem

By Sabado Domingo

roach_motel_happilydayzedSo you think you found the home of your dreams? Well, that potential dream home could easily turn out to be a nightmare if you don’t pay attention during the house hunting process. After all, it’s easy to overlook pest problems; many new home buyers are focused on “more important” things like the size of the backyard, and whether or not the kitchen has granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

Fortunately, there are many signs homebuyers can look for that often indicate a bug or varmint infestation will need to be corrected by a competent low-cost pest control company before you move in. Here are seven of the most common ones:

Home-adjacent woodpiles. You should make sure no wood is stacked up close to the home, as this encourages pests and termites to move up close to the house where they’re much more likely to become a problem in the home.

Foundation issues. According to pest control expert Joel Miller, “You should make sure your home siding is not below grade. If you can’t see your foundation between the ground and your siding, then you’re giving pests an easy access point into your home.”

Dead bugs indoors. It may seem obvious, but if you see dead insects of the same species on the home’s window ledges or in the basement for dead bugs, then they probably make their home somewhere on the property.

Leaks and excess moisture. Moisture attracts many pests and termites — so make sure any water leaks are fixed before you move in, and ensure that all of the water around the residence drains away from the house.

Floor and wall holes. Be wary of small holes in the home’s floors or walls as they are often a sign of a possible pest infestation.

Unpruned trees. Miller advises homeowners and prospective homebuyers alike that, “Tree branches should always be trimmed back from the home because mice and other rodents can easily use the branches to access your roof for entry into your attic or home.”

Grease marks and droppings. Rats and mice are creatures of habit; as such they tend to travel the same paths every day. In the process, they end up leaving dark grease marks as they scurry along walls and even up walls. Of course, fecal droppings are an obvious sign of infestation too.

Remember, insects and other pests are experts at staying out of the limelight — which is why you’ve got to actively be on the lookout for them when you’re searching for a new home.

The good news is that by focusing on these signs, you’ll discover critical clues that can indicate whether or not the house you’ve got your eye on will really end up being your dream home — or something out of a horror movie.

Photo Credit: HappilyDayzed

December 16, 2016

Comments

  1. 1

    Liz says

    These are just some of the things we should be mindful of before we buy or rent a house. Thanks for the heads-up. It’s helpful.

    • 2

      Len Penzo says

      You’re welcome, Liz.

  2. 3

    Ellis says

    It can’t be stressed enough to get a competent termite inspector you select, and have him report to you.

    We trusted our closing attorney to send an inspector he used. The inspector’s report was withheld from us by the attorney (he actually lied to us that the house passed inspection) and we learned after the purchase was completed and moving in that the house was structurally compromised. We ended up paying many tens of thousands of dollars repairing the house, to make it structurally sound, and have consequently not been able to make the cosmetic improvements we planned. Of course, we also had to move our family out while repairs and termite treatments were performed, and we still pay for annual inspections and prevention.

    Our attorney? He got away with it; no other lawyer or disciplinary organization would take our case, though several stated that it was an obvious case of malpractice.

    • 4

      Len Penzo says

      Wow. I’m so sorry to hear that, Ellis.

      Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure it will help other potential homebuyers from making a similar mistake in the future.

The Question of the Week:

Do you think credit unions are safer than traditional banks?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • The Big Advantages of Natural Gas Appliances
  • Is a Master’s Degree in Education Worth It? 7 Key Questions to Ask
  • Comparing the Flat Tax, Fair Tax, and Progressive Tax Systems
  • Are Energy Efficient CFL Bulbs Worth Paying More For?
  • Black Coffee: Pushing the Panic Button
  • The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 10
  • 3 Ways That Make Credit Cards Vulnerable to Fraud
  • Common Financial Mistakes in Manufacturing (and How to Avoid Them)
  • Blind Taste Test: Does Bottled Water Really Taste Better Than Filtered Tap?
  • Black Coffee: Banking on the Future

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 40,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!

Popular Now:

  1. 1. 18 Personal Finance Facts About US Presidents
  2. 2. Credit or Debit: Which One Is Actually Better?
  3. 3. Why Buying Gasoline in the Morning Can Save You Money
  4. 4. Why Paying Off the Mortgage Early May Be a Big Mistake
  5. 5. What Defines True Financial Success?
  6. 6. A Georgia Teacher Shows Why It Always Pays to Read the Fine Print
  7. 7. Debt Elimination: The Pros and Cons of Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps
  8. 8. Home Repair Scams: Here Are the 9 Biggest
  9. 9. Historical Gold & Silver Benchmarks for Wages and Commodities
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2023 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2023