Moving In: Essential Pest Inspection Checklist

Inspect every mattress corner and seam — test any black spots with a wet wipe, if it smears reddish-brown it is bed bug feces (contact a professional heat treatment company if confirmed)

Check all baseboards for looseness, gaps, or water stains — seal thoroughly with caulk throughout the house

Seal all exterior wall penetrations (AC pipe holes, cable holes, exhaust vents, outdoor faucet entry) — stuff with steel wool first, then apply caulk or expanding foam

Check that chimney flues and exhaust duct dampers close and seal properly — prevents birds, rodents, and cockroaches from entering

Inspect all window screens for holes — replace every damaged screen before moving in

Check bathroom exhaust fan outlets and all drain pipe openings — ensure insect-proof fine mesh is installed, add if missing

Carefully inspect wooden floors, door frames, and furniture — use a flashlight at an angle to look for pinhole-sized bore holes, fine sawdust piles, or hollow areas

Place cockroach sticky traps in kitchen and bathroom corners, under cabinets, and beneath sinks — monitor for one week to assess pest activity before deciding on treatment

Check gaps under all exterior doors — if larger than 6mm, install door sweeps (rodents can enter through a 6mm gap, about the thickness of a pencil)

Inspect balcony and yard for ant mounds, termite mud tubes (mud trails running from ground up along walls), and signs of wood decay

Inspect attic and crawl space for rodent droppings, bat guano (accumulation breeds harmful fungi), squirrel nesting material, or torn insulation