What You Should Expect From A Pest Inspection

A pest inspection is an examination of a home’s interior and exterior to ensure there's no structural damage from termites, other insects or rodents. This is typically done by a pest specialist, not by your standard home inspector. General home inspections don’t include checking for active infestations, pest-rotted wood or other telltale signs of unwanted creatures.

While termites, mice and other pests may seem like a minor nuisance, they could ultimately cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and impact the health of your home. Consulting a pest control company could provide peace of mind if you suspect insect damage or an infestation in a house you’re buying or selling.

Are Pest Inspections Required?

Under certain circumstances, you might be required to have a pest inspection before buying a house. Some states, counties or even mortgage lenders may require pest inspections prior to your moving in.

For example, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans usually call for pest inspections in several states, particularly in regions that are prone to termite infestations and termite damage.

You might also be required to get an inspection if a home appraiser notices signs of a potential infestation. If you don’t get the inspection, you might not be approved for your loan.

However, even if you aren’t legally obligated to have a termite inspection, consulting a pest specialist might be worth your time and effort. Especially for homeowners whose insurance policies don’t cover pest infestation removals or damages caused by pests.

What’s Included In A Pest Inspection?

Pest inspections normally include a thorough investigation of a home’s interior and exterior, with special attention paid to areas that are most likely to attract unwanted household critters. Pest inspectors will focus more on crawl spaces, basements, attics and garages. They’ll also check for any other glaring entry points like holes in the walls or issues with the foundation.

A pest inspection can catch other red flags that might go unnoticed to the untrained eye. Damaged wood, which is easily mistaken for wet or dry rot, could be caused by wood-destroying insects, like termites and carpenter bees. Small collections of insect droppings often point to active pest colonies, while gnawing marks on furniture could be signs of mice and rats.

The climate where you live can give inspectors an even better idea of the creatures most likely to make a nest in your home. Moisture, for example, attracts centipedes, ants and cockroaches, which are more likely to infest homes in damp environments.

Commonly Reported Pests

Pest inspectors search for any of the following as they make their way through a home:

• Cockroaches
• Damp-wood and drywood termites
• Bed bugs
• Rodents
• Carpenter ants
• Silverfish
• Carpenter bees
• Wood-destroying beetles
• Moths
• Stinging insects
• Spiders

Depending on where you live, your inspection might cover common pests that are native to your region. For example, it’s not unusual for home buyers and sellers in the Southwest to add rattlesnakes and scorpions to their pest inspection checklist.

Understanding Your Pest Report

Once your inspection is complete, you should receive a pest inspection report that details the current conditions of the property you’re buying or selling. The report will list any issues with the property and recommendations for repairing them, which can be essential for a contingent offer. These could include a one-time visit from an exterminator or a long-term plan for restoring the home after substantial damage.

If the house is in bad condition, your report may also suggest further inspection of the most damaged areas, which can help ensure that any severe problems are fully addressed before you transfer the title and deed.

Should You Conduct A Pest Control Inspection Yourself?

Although you might feel confident in your ability to notice the effects of a pest infestation, the average homeowner isn’t equipped to diagnose all of a home’s potential pest issues before closing on the home.

Trained pest inspectors are able to not only spot signs of an infestation but also assess pest damage within the context of a real estate transaction. Even more importantly, professional inspectors have the proper equipment to safely probe sites impacted by decaying wood or other structural weaknesses.

How Much Does A Home Pest Inspection Cost?

On top of the other costs of a home inspection, most pest inspections range from as low as $50 to $200 or more. The cost of a pest inspection can vary by location, property size, type of inspection, how severe a pest problem is and what inspection company you hire. If you’re shopping for the cheapest option, consider asking your real estate agent if they know which companies offer the most competitive prices.

Of course, there’s a chance that you won’t have to pay anything to have the home inspected if your buyer or seller covers the cost. Since both parties can benefit from an inspection, you can negotiate which person will be responsible for paying.

FAQs: Pest Inspection

Still curious about pest inspections? Here are some frequently asked questions about getting a pest inspection for a home purchase.

How long do pest inspections take?

Pest inspections usually won’t take longer than 30 minutes to an hour. However, your inspection could take much longer depending on the severity of damage to the home. The more issues your inspector identifies, the longer the appointment could take.

Who pays for the pest inspection?

This is often negotiable. To attract more buyers, some sellers might include the cost of a pest inspection in their seller concessions.

How do I prepare for a pest inspection?

Once you find and hire a professional pest inspector, you’ll want to ensure proper access to all rooms and corners of the house and attic. Clean and declutter the house, move furniture and appliances away from walls and make sure all closets and drawers are accessible. You might find it beneficial to be home during the inspection so you can meet the inspector and share any signs of infestation.

The Bottom Line: Is A Pest Inspection Worth It?

Even if you aren’t required to inspect your home for pests, inspections are usually worth the effort for individuals on both sides of a real estate transaction. Sellers can preemptively avoid any legal issues that are caused by selling a home overrun with pests, while buyers can become aware of any pest-related issues that should be resolved before they make a purchase.

Ready to look for a home? If you’re starting the home buying journey but aren’t sure whether you should have a pest inspection, connect with a real estate agent to get an expert opinion on your local market.