{"id":5359,"date":"2018-08-29T14:06:31","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T21:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=5359"},"modified":"2019-03-01T15:51:01","modified_gmt":"2019-03-01T23:51:01","slug":"find-pest-inspector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/find-pest-inspector\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find a Pest Inspector Who Will Put the Fear of God Into Meddlesome Critters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Real estate agent Alicia Girard<\/a> knew the pencil-thin tubes dangling about four inches from the ceiling weren\u2019t an architectural feature any home buyer would want.<\/p>\n

She recognized the structures instantly as mud tubes, a sign of subterranean termites. These insects build paths from soil and wood to protect themselves while finding food.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat one was probably the worst that I\u2019d seen,\u201d Girard recalled of a \u201cpretty distressed\u201d house that she aimed to sell. \u201cHad it been treated, it would have been fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luckily for Girard, a top-selling agent in Tucson, AZ, she’s got a trusted pest inspector on speed dial.<\/p>\n

Do you?<\/p>\n

If not, you should add a pest inspector to your homeowner’s rolodex\u2014right next to your trusted painters<\/a>, handyman and home inspector<\/a>. A pest inspector can be your best friend when your worst enemies decide to pay your house a visit.<\/p>\n

Get a qualified one who\u2019s gone through all the special training you need with this explainer for how to find a top-notch pest inspector in your area. Then, take advantage of all the knowledge and services they have to offer to keep your home pest-free.<\/p>\n

What does a pest inspector protect against?<\/h2>\n

Selling a home seems to involve one chore and expense on top of another, from tiny repairs to staging your property to look its best. A pest inspection<\/a> might not be at the top of your list, especially if you live in a state that doesn\u2019t require one with a house sale (such as California).<\/p>\n

But if you live in an older home or are aware of the, ah, unwanted guests particular to your area, it\u2019s a wise investment.<\/p>\n

Guarding your home against termites, rodents, carpenter ants, cockroaches, and other vermin can help solidify your sale. Working with a professional pest inspector provides you with reassurance for your buyers (as well as a warranty, in the case of termite treatment), especially if the buyer\u2019s lender demands a pest report in light of the appraisal.<\/p>\n

A pest inspection also can protect you against possible legal trouble<\/a> if the buyer later accuses you of patching over or hiding a problem, such as dry rot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say probably 50% of the homes I have inspected have termites,\u201d Girard said, noting that the Southwest\u2019s desert climate also brings out rattlesnakes, spiders, palmetto bugs (large roaches), scorpions, and pack rats.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the age of a house has a lot to do with it. A lot of the new homes are built so tight [because of] energy efficiency, but the older homes, there\u2019s lots of gaps and openings that need to be sealed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ehrlich Pest Control, which has more than 100 offices serving the eastern United States, says on its website that the most common household pets it treats are termites, mice, cockroaches, wasps, mosquitoes, rats, flies, bed bugs, and ants.<\/p>\n

In addition to carrying diseases, these creatures also can cause structural damage and safety hazards. Depending on the type of termite, termites<\/a> can cause an average of $7,000 to $8,000 in damage, the company\u2019s website says. Rats and mice can cause electrical problems by gnawing on electrical cables. A large wasp nest can contain more than 25,000 wasps.<\/p>\n

Different types of pest inspections: Termites vs. other critters<\/h2>\n

Some inspections for real estate transactions focus solely on evidence of existing or past wood-destroying insects or organisms (such as fungi), as well as ideal conditions for such problems: certain moisture levels, for instance. A homeowner who wants to make sure his or her home is in order before listing the property might request that an inspector look for signs of any other pest trouble as well as termites and wood-destroying organisms.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re really looking for anything with more than two legs that doesn\u2019t belong in a home,\u201d said Chad Gore<\/a>, entomologist and market technical director at Rentokil Steritech, of which Erhlich is a regional brand.<\/p>\n

That means checking the pantry for general pests (ants, cockroaches) that may infest food items such as crackers, pasta, and nut foods, as well as droppings from rodents. They\u2019ll also check closets for moths.<\/p>\n

Attics can have signs of stinging insects and invaders such as bats. Basements, especially unfinished basements, can provide shelter for rodents, spiders, and centipedes, Gore said.<\/p>\n

With an inspection for termites or wood-destroying organisms, an inspector looks mostly at exposed wood and probes to see if it\u2019s still solid, he said. Other signs include mud tubes, wings on or around windows or caught in spider webs, bubbling paint (a sign of moisture), holes in unfinished wood and sawdust beneath those holes.<\/p>\n

Plus, a pest inspector can advise you on how best to evict such vermin and take preventive measures.<\/p>\n

How to find a best-in-class pest inspector<\/h2>\n

Check licensing and references<\/h3>\n

Whether they work as independent contractors or with a company, pest control professionals and pest inspectors must be licensed by your city or state, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n

Real estate agents often have a close working relationship with a pest management company. Girard uses the same company for her business as for her own home, so she recommends it freely.<\/p>\n

She likes its pricing: $68 for an inspection, and from $400 to $500 to treat termites, which includes a two-year warranty. She also likes its no-pressure attitude.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey give my buyer time,\u201d she said. \u201cThey do the inspection, and then they say, \u2018Here\u2019s what we offer. Here\u2019s what we can do. Do you have any questions?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The inspection or treatment often can be billed through escrow, Girard added.<\/p>\n

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) also recommends asking friends and neighbors about any pest control companies they\u2019ve used. The association also provides its own online database<\/a> to search for a pest inspector in your area by ZIP code.<\/p>\n

Angie\u2019s List<\/a> also provides a searchable database to locate pest control professionals in your area.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve narrowed your search, the EPA<\/a> recommends checking out a potential pest inspector or pest company online through the Better Business Bureau, your state\u2019s department of agriculture, or your state attorney general\u2019s office. Check whether the licensing is valid, as well as if there are any complaints filed against the inspector or company.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should do their homework, read reviews, ask friends and neighbors about their experiences, and look for a company that has a good reputation within their community,\u201d Gore said.<\/p>\n

Ask your pest inspector the right questions<\/h3>\n

After you\u2019ve done your research, you\u2019ll still want to talk to a pest inspector<\/a> or pest control company before hiring. Ask to see the company\u2019s license from your city or state, which should be current, the EPA says.<\/p>\n

The EPA and NPMA also recommend asking these questions:<\/p>\n