Importance of a pest inspection

Importance of a pest inspection

When you move into a home, or even after you’ve been in there for a while, you don’t want it to be a habitat for various critters. While a home inspection covers the general systems and structure of a home, a pest inspection is specialised. It’s always a good idea and may even be required, depending on the type of mortgage you’re getting. In this article, we’ll go over the importance of a pest inspection and make sure you’re prepared should the need arise as a part of your mortgage process.

What is a pest inspection?

A pest inspection includes a search for bugs and other creatures that can cause damage to the structure of your property, a health hazard or both. One common structural concern is caused by termites that get their nutrients from the wood in your house, but various other bugs and rodents can also cause concerns.

What does a pest inspection entail?

A pest inspection usually takes place around the same time as a home inspection or appraisal. In fact, one of the instances it might be required is when an appraiser observes signs of a potential pest problem. However, as a homeowner, you can have a pest inspection done whenever you’re worried you might have an issue.

Typically, pest inspection and mitigation services are provided by the same types of companies that do extermination. If you suspect a problem and you can visually see where it’s coming from, it may be possible to do some DIY inspection and mitigation. However, this is something that’s often best left to professionals. If required to get an inspection for your mortgage, a professional will be required. Let’s take a deeper look at what’s involved in a pest inspection.

A thorough search for any infestations

A trained pest inspector will look through the interior and exterior of your home for all manner of critters that could be a hazard. Depending on the region you live in, these include but aren’t limited to the following:

  • Subterranean and aboveground termites
  • Bedbugs
  • Cockroaches
  • Bees and other stinging insects
  • Carpenter ants
  • Various kinds of rodents
  • Spiders
  • Snakes
  • Scorpions
  • Moths
  • Wood-destroying insects

An evaluation of any structural damage

Insects and other pests get into your house somehow, usually by exploiting and/or causing structural damage to your home. The inspector will look for evidence of damaged floorboards, baseboards, walls, siding and more. After rooting out the pests from their hiding place, the structural damage will have to be fixed.

A detailed pest report

Once the inspector is done, they’ll issue a pest inspection report which is given to the appraiser. Although areas have different forms and pests they look for based on the climate, they do share some common elements. Each inspection form will give a brief overview of the pests found. They’ll also discuss where they were found and any damage done. Finally, they’ll go over necessary treatments.

Instructions for treatment and damage repair

In the vast majority of instances, the problem needs to be treated. Any damage caused by the infestation needs to be repaired to the satisfaction of the inspector before you can move forward with the loan. Another pest inspection will be carried out to verify that the problem has been taken care of.

Final thoughts

A pest inspection will help ensure that no undesirable creepy-crawly has made your home it’s own. This relatively cheap inspection can be necessary to get a mortgage in some cases and it’s also there to reassure you that the home you’re living in is safe and sanitary.

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