--- title: How to Spot Pest Infestations When Buying a New House description: Investing in a used home? Here are a few tips to help ensure that your future home is not riddled with unwanted creepy crawlies. --- [![logo-steel](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/Group%20336.svg)](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/) [![logo-steel](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/Group%20336.svg)](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/) - [About Us](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/about-us/) - [Sell](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/sell/) - [Buy](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/buy/) - [Relocate](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/relocate/) - [Listings](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/listings/) - [Blog](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/) - [Resources+](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/resources/) - [+1 (619) 8874429](tel:+16198874429) - [![Contact Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2756673/1eb87d79-e947-4154-ae61-e5ca91077e96.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2756673/1eb87d79-e947-4154-ae61-e5ca91077e96) - [+1 (619) 8874429](tel:+16198874429) - [![Contact Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2756673/1eb87d79-e947-4154-ae61-e5ca91077e96.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2756673/1eb87d79-e947-4154-ae61-e5ca91077e96) ![default-image](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/image%2044.png) ## How to Spot Pest Infestations When Buying a New House Buying a home can be thrilling and somewhat nerve-wracking. When touring different properties, many home buyers are more interested in ways to beautify their new house. However, as important as a beautiful living space is, buyers may completely ignore more serious issues growing and lurking beneath the surface; i.e. pest infestations.  Not only do pests carry a variety of health risks, but they may destroy expensive furniture and cause long lasting, expensive damages around your property. While it may be difficult to spot pest infestation in a new place, there are signs you can look out for to avoid spending your precious savings on a place riddled with rodents and termites. ## 1. Keep an Eye Out for Pest Droppings Keeping an eye out for pest droppings may not be the most fun activity in the world, but it can save you precious time and resources in the future. One of the easiest ways to determine whether your new house is pest infected is by doing basic research about what different droppings may look like and how you can identify them. Depending on the type of pest, there are different techniques you can use to spot the infestation. For example, you can [prevent bed bugs from spreading to other rooms](https://pillowinsider.com/how-to-prevent-bed-bugs-from-spreading/) if you identify their traces through keeping an eye out for droppings. Similarly, rodents like rats and mice leave droppings around walls and corners. Cockroaches on the other hand leave pepper like pellets that is often an indication of a large cockroach infestation nearby.  It may feel incredibly gross, but a simple research and understanding of pest droppings can save you a lot of trouble and keep your home safe for you and your loved ones. ## 2. Check for Odd Odors and Sounds Another simple way to confirm any pest related suspicions is by keeping your ears and nose at work! Pest infestation leaves recognizable odors around the house and different pests may have different smells.  Firstly, it is important to point out if your soon-to-be new house reeks of garbage. Musty, rancid odors of garbage may point to existing pest infestation and can even attract more pests. Smelly sinks or sewers that give a whiff of oiliness or expired soy sauce may indicate a horde of roaches nearby. Rats and mice leave a putrid odor that smells like ammonia or urine. In addition to this, the small pattering of tiny feet against walls or floorboards is definitely not a sign of supernatural possession, rather it may point to a possible rodent infestation. Rodents take shelter under floorboards or behind walls so if you occasionally hear gnawing, scratching, squeaking, or scuffling, it might be time to call in a professional pest control team as it may be a sign of rodents or large bugs. ## 3. Spot Existing Property Damages You may discover traces of serious pest infestation long after you have purchased and moved into your new house, but that does not mean that it did not exist earlier. Look for any existing damages around the property such as hollowed wood which might indicate termites, or damaged fences and wooden floorboards that might harbor a nest of pesky termites. Keep an eye out for wet furniture or other damp wooden objects which hint to an ant infestation at hand. Additionally, small pecks and holes in clothes, chewed wires, and spaces in walls are all red flags as you might have some irksome mice on the loose.  If possible, you should always contact former tenants or the property owner so you can get a history of any pest infestations. Speaking to the neighbors or even hiring a professional pest control inspector to go over all the nooks and crannies of the place can make a big difference and save a lot of money. ## 4. Beware of Nearby Breeding Grounds and Mole Hills Be wary of any garbage dumps, unkempt alleys, flooding or other pollutants near the building. Additionally, chewed up and loose wires around the place indicate a rat or mice infestation. You should look for any loose or open pipes and nasty, smelly puddles that are stagnant. These are ideal environments for a variety of pests such as flies and mosquitoes.  Mole hills are an indication of a pest infestation as moles feed on insects and other crawlies in the area and they may also destroy your front and backyard in the process. Small mudding “hills” or bumps in the ground may indicate moles in the area and it is integral to be extra observant. ## 5. Check for Small Holes in Walls and Grease Marks If you spot small holes between walls and floors, you know there is a possible infestation around the area. Burrows or scattered garbage heaps and weedy pockets in the place raise a massive red flag because you may have a rat infestation on your hands. Rats are not only dangerous, but they are difficult to catch if you lack the correct equipment or expertise. Before you say yes to the place, you should observe these factors in detail.  Rats and mice also leave a trail of grease around walls as they are used to travelling the same paths. If you see small patches, grease marks or odd brown spots on clean walls, you know it is time to call in the professionals. Droppings, urine trails, and greasy marks are some signs that pests will leave to indicate their presence. Be sure to check thoroughly before you finalize the house of your dreams. Investing in a house is investing in a healthy and bright future and you want it to be just perfect, but that takes patience and some investigating to ensure that your future home is not riddled with unwanted creepy crawlies. If you are unsure, it is always preferable to call in the professionals and save yourself expenses in the future by avoiding these [7 critical mistakes most new homebuyers make](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/7-critical-homebuyer-mistakes). Share [![Share on facebook](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=39&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/how-to-spot-pest-infestations-when-buying-a-new-house?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=39&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/how-to-spot-pest-infestations-when-buying-a-new-house?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) Blog posts ### SIMILAR BLOG POSTS [![SEE ALL BLOG POSTS](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2756673/14844045-54bf-4c52-a6bc-0f2ff7705105.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2756673/14844045-54bf-4c52-a6bc-0f2ff7705105) ![no image](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/image%2044.png) 6 Simple Home Security Tips To Protect Your Assets! Comfort, safety, security – these are some of the first things that spring to mind when talking about homes. But how safe are our... [Read More](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/6-simple-home-security-tips-to-protect-your-assets) ![](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20image.png?width=284&height=220&name=Blog%20image.png) Common Misconceptions Around Home Buying Buying a home is a monumental milestone for many, but it’s often riddled with myths and misconceptions that can cloud judgment... [Read More](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/common-misconceptions-around-home-buying) ![no image](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/image%2044.png) How to Find a San Diego Home with the Most Value for Your Money With incredible beaches and famously sunny weather, San Diego is something of a paradise when it comes to living in the United... [Read More](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/how-to-find-a-san-diego-home-with-the-most-value-for-your-money) Monthly Newsletter ### SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE SAN DIEGO MARKET UPDATES [![logo](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/Group%20336.svg)](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/) - [Home](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/) - [About Us](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/about-us/) - [Sell](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/sell/) - [Buy](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/buy/) - [Relocate](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/relocate/) - [Blog](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/) - [Resources](https://steelesandiegohomes.com/resources/) Big Block Realty CalBRE# 01885775 John Steele CalBRE# 01950588 Melissa Steele CalBRE# 01951324 **CONTACT US** ![call](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/website%20assets%20-%202023/call.png?width=20&height=20&name=call.png)[619-887-4429](tel:+16198874429) ![message](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/website%20assets%20-%202023/message.png?width=20&height=20&name=message.png)[team@steelesandiegohomes.com](mailto:team@steelesandiegohomes.com) Big Block Realty - 800-550-3209 ![location](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/website%20assets%20-%202023/location.png?width=20&height=20&name=location.png) 2820 Camino del Rio South, Ste.314,  San Diego, CA 92108 ![image 47](https://blog.steelesandiegohomes.com/hubfs/website%20assets%20-%202023/image%2047.svg) This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. You should rely on this information only to decide whether or not to further investigate a particular property. BEFORE MAKING ANY OTHER DECISION, YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY INVESTIGATE THE FACTS (e.g. square footage and lot size) with the assistance of an appropriate professional. You may use this information only to identify properties you may be interested in investigating further. All uses except for personal, non-commercial use in accordance with the foregoing purpose are prohibited. Redistribution or copying of this information, any photographs or video tours is strictly prohibited. This information is derived from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) service provided by San Diego MLS. Displayed property listings may be held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent responsible for this display. The information and any photographs and video tours and the compilation from which they are derived are protected by copyright. Compilation © 2023 San Diego MLS.     © Copyright 2023 | All Rights Reserved