By Anna Quinn, Go4Rent Guest Writer
Imagine going through the headache of finding, leasing and moving into a new rental only to find that the property is infested with cockroaches, mice or other pests. Even if the landlord pays for extermination costs, dealing with a pest problem after moving in can be a stomach-turning headache for renters who thought they’d found a dream home.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to spot signs of these creepy critters before signing a lease. Here are some tips for inspecting a prospective rental for pests without the need for an exterminator.
Check for Droppings
A typical sign that there is a pest problem in a rental property will be droppings, often in hidden areas such as corners and drawers. Prospective renters should check the floor, around baseboards, behind doors, and inside cabinets and drawers for any signs of fecal droppings. Droppings that resemble coffee grounds might be a sign of cockroaches while larger droppings around a quarter-inch in size might signal a rodent infestation, according to Bug Commander Pest Control in Texas. Larger, tubular droppings could be a sign that other wildlife has gotten into the property.
Aside from physical droppings, maroon or brown spots on walls, near outlets and switch plates could point to a bed bug problem, pest experts told U.S. News and World Report. Even wood shavings could be a sign of an infestation. Carpenter ants often kick out wood shavings when they nest inside wood. Bringing a flashlight to check hard-to-see places could be a good idea during home tours or inspections.
Look for Holes
Another sign of pests is the damage they might leave behind. Prospective renters should check for holes where mice or rats might have chewed their way into the property. These are usually found on baseboards or where the floor and wall meet, experts said. Rodents might also chew electrical wiring or leave scratch or scuff marks around the baseboards, or in cabinets, where they attempt to create nests.
Aside from rodent marks, damage to door and window frames can be a sign of a different kind of infestation. If the frames feel soft or hollow, it could be a sign that termites have damaged the wood.
While looking for signs of a current infestation, renters might also want to take notice of conditions that could lead to future pests. Gaps or holes in the walls, floors, around plumbing in the bathroom, or other areas can be entry points for future pests, according to Hulett Environmental Services in Florida. Any opening that is larger than a quarter-inch wide could be an entry point for mice or rats looking for shelter and food, particularly in the wintertime. Prospective renters should inquire about having these holes fixed or filled before moving in to avoid future pest issues.
Pest control experts identify kitchen cabinets, refrigerators, stoves, fireplaces, vents, attics and laundry room drains as common indoor entry points where pests might get in. Outdoors, garage door seals, deteriorated pipes, air conditioning vents or ducts, roofs and gutters are all common rodent entry points too.
Be Wary of Smells
Pest control experts say sometimes it's possible to smell an infestation before seeing one. Prospective renters should take notice if there is a musty or oily smell in the property, which might be a sign of mice or cockroaches. A woodsy or methane smell could also be a sign that a rodent has died somewhere on the property, often in the walls, attic or crawl spaces, reports pest and termite control company Terminix.
Dead rodents are often not easy to deal with as it may require cutting through floors and walls to reach the carcass. Arguably, some landlords may believe the wall repairs are worth it considering experts say more pests—flies, maggots or other bugs—could increase due to rodent death.
Stay Alert (After Moving In)
Though it might be unlikely to spot during the day, renters should be on the lookout for the most obvious sign of an infestation: visible pests. While most pests are nocturnal and most active when it’s dark and quiet, seeing one scurrying across the floor or in a cabinet is an obvious sign of a pest problem.
During night hours, motion-detection surveillance cameras can also come in handy to find hiding spots. Notify the landlord immediately, especially if pests show up early on. Depending on the lease language, and assuming the landlord doesn’t blame the new tenant, being able to prove infestation will be the easiest and cheapest way to move out before landlord-tenant disputes can start.
If renters suspect a pest problem in a prospective rental for any reason, they should be sure to inquire with the landlord, or avoid renting the property altogether. Either way, even if a current pest problem doesn’t exist, be sure to check the lease’s terms for pest control before moving in.
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