Florida has beautiful year round weather, but residents must take the good with the bad. The downside of regular warm temperatures is that invites household pests. Pests find temperate climates as appealing as humans do.
In addition to the warm temperatures, Florida is also humid and a popular travel destination. Both also increase the risk of pests.
Unfortunately, pests are more than just annoying and creepy. They can damage your home and pose health risks to people and pets.
This is why lawn care, regular house cleaning, and pest exterminations like termite control are essential to any household.
Some common pests you have to deal with in Florida include:
- Ants (e.g., red fire ants)
- Cockroaches
- Mosquitoes
- Ticks
- Termites
- Rates
- Mites
- Millipedes
- Centipedes
- Crickets
- Flies
- Iguanas
- Moths
- Horseflies
- Bed bugs
- Spiders
- Silverfish
Every Florida home is at risk of developing a pest problem. This is why homeowners need a pest control plan before things get out of hand. It’s as beneficial for long-term homeowners as it is for new buyers.
Homebuyers should schedule a pest control inspection before buying a new home. You can hire a pest control service to handle it for you.
It is a necessary step that ensures you are moving into a home that’s healthy and safe.
Why Get a Home Inspection?
A standard home inspection reveals damages and potential safety hazards in a home before you complete the purchase. Many people make their contingent offer based on the results of a home inspection.
A home inspection gives you an in-depth look of the property from a professional point of view. It helps you learn about the home you are buying.
Needless to say, a home inspection gives you peace of mind and helps you make homebuying decisions.
Most standard home inspections provide information about pests, but only if there is clear evidence of an infestation. Even then, it won’t provide you with specific information.
To understand the risks of pests in your Florida home, you’ll need a professional pest inspection.
3 Reasons New Home Buyers in Florida Should Consider a Pre-purchase Pest Inspection
There are several reasons why a pest inspection is a good idea for Florida homebuyers:
1. Prevents a Pest Problem from Spiraling Out of Control
Getting an inspection is a great way to treat pest issues before they become a problem. It also helps you learn about your risks.
The home seller might have kept pest problems under control, so there will be no evidence of infestation. But you’ll need to keep up with this maintenance.
An inspection helps you understand what you can do to keep your new home healthy and safe. Pest free living is an essential part of enjoying your home.
2. Gives You Negotiating Power
Before finalizing your purchase, it’s important to understand the condition of your home. If you identify a minor pest problem and still want to close the deal, you can use it to negotiate a better price.
If the pest inspection uncovers an issue you need to deal with, you’ll want to reconsider your initial offer. In many cases, it’s as simple as requesting the seller fix the problem to ensure the sale goes through.
3. Provides You Financial Peace of Mind
The last thing you want is a home with severe pest control issues. It can cost you more than the equity you’ll ever build in the home.
To ensure your home is a good financial investment, you need to make sure it has zero to minimal damage from pests. You must also know what pest control efforts are needed so you can prepare for the costs.
Paying for an inspection of your new home is one of the best ways to prevent significant financial problems in the future.
What Happens During a Pest Inspection?
During the inspection, a pest control expert will examine the interior and exterior of your new home. They will look for evidence of pests and any damage they may have caused to a home.
Many pests leave obvious signs of an infestation. This includes:
- Droppings
- Tunnels
- Damaged wood
- Discarded wings, etc.
What If a Home Seller Provides Proof of Pest Control Inspection?
Sometimes, especially in places like Florida that are known to have pest problems, home sellers include a pest inspection without a request from the buyer.
It’s up to the buyer whether they want to accept a seller-paid inspection or hire an additional inspector to double-check the initial findings.
Sellers choose to put their homes through pest inspections as a way to market their homes. Anyone is free to request an inspection, but a seller may request it themselves to make their home more appealing to buyers.
What Happens If the Pest Control Inspection Finds a Problem?
As you might guess, pest inspectors often find problems in Florida homes. It’s up to the buyer what they want to do if there is evidence of an infestation.
First, it’s important to determine the extent of the infestation. Having a few iguanas occasionally pass through the yard is not as serious as a termite damage or a cockroach infestation.
You also need to consider that finding pest-free home is unlikely in Florida. Pest management is an ongoing chore when you live in warm climates.
Most Florida homeowners accept that they have to share their space with the occasional pest. The goal isn’t to eliminate critters entirely from the interior and exterior of your home.
Realistically, you’ll want to keep as many pests outside as possible and keep the home interior as healthy and safe as possible.
Homebuyers shouldn’t expect perfect results from a pest control inspection. But they should expect that their new home to be safe, healthy, and in good repair.
Finally, understand that home inspection is just the first step. If there are pests, the next step is to control them so you can live pest-free.
As a buyer, you’ll likely have three choices when it comes to dealing with pest problems:
- Deal with it yourself after the purchase is complete. You’ll do nothing before the closing. You can hire a professional pest control technician or do DIY pest control yourself once you own the home.
- Ask the home seller to fix the problem with pest control treatments and request for proof of service before closing. The seller pays for pest control services.
- Back out of the deal. If your offer includes a home or pest inspection contingency, you’ll have the option to stop the purchase any time.
It’s also possible to negotiate a combination of these options. For example, a home seller might pay for the initial pest control service and repair damages, but the buyer is responsible for any future problems.
Buying a home is a major step for anyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re purchasing your first Florida home or your fifth. You’ll want to put your home through a pest inspection before finalizing the deal. Pest-free living is safer, healthier, and important no matter who you are.
We recommend working with a pest control service that offers great customer service, a thorough pest inspection, and tips for preventing future problems.
