You've pulled up to your new house in the moving truck and are ready to unload boxes and get inside. But before you start opening those bins and boxes, check for pests.
An empty home gives you an opportunity you won't have again once furniture, rugs, boxes, and belongings fill every room. This is the perfect time to inspect baseboards, cabinets, closets, garages, and other areas where pests like to hide.
Before you unpack, heed these eight pest control tips to help protect your new Phoenix home.
1. Check Inside Cabinets and Drawers
Before filling kitchen and bathroom cabinets, grab a flashlight and look inside, paying particular attention to corners, hinges, plumbing openings, and the areas beneath sinks.
Watch for droppings, shed insect skins, dead bugs, or other signs of activity. Cockroaches and ants are especially attracted to areas where food, water, and shelter are readily available.
2. Look Behind Appliances
If there is already a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, or washer and dryer in place, inspect around and behind them if you can.
These areas provide exactly what many pests are drawn to: darkness, warmth, moisture, and hiding places. Look for droppings, egg cases, insects, or evidence of rodents.
3. Inspect Doors and Windows
Pests may already be inside, or they may just be waiting for an opportunity to get there.
- Check exterior doors for gaps along the bottom and sides.
- Inspect window screens for tears and look for cracks around frames.
- Replace damaged weatherstripping and worn door sweeps.
Remember, some insects can enter through extremely small openings, so don't just look for obvious large holes.
4. Take a Close Look at the Garage
Because garage doors frequently open and close and may not seal perfectly, these spaces can be particularly vulnerable to pests. Check corners and walls for spiders, webs, droppings, and insects, and inspect the weather seal along the garage door.
Don't leave cardboard moving boxes stacked in the garage indefinitely, as pests love these dark, undisturbed hiding places.
5. Check Plumbing and Moisture-Prone Areas
In Phoenix, pests aren't always searching for food. They also need water.
- Check beneath sinks and around toilets, water heaters, and plumbing fixtures for moisture or leaks.
- Look around areas where pipes enter walls for gaps that may provide an entry point.
6. Walk the Outside of Your New Home
Walk around the property and look for cracks, damaged screens, gaps around utility lines, and other potential entry points. Bushes and trees that touch the house may also provide insects with easier access to the structure.
While you're outside, check for standing water, excessive debris, and other conditions that could attract pests close to your home.
7. Be Careful With the Boxes You Bring Inside
Sometimes you accidentally bring pests with you. Moving boxes stored in garages, basements, storage units, or outdoor areas can harbor insects.
Inspect boxes before bringing them indoors, and unpack and recycle cardboard immediately rather than leaving stacks sitting around for weeks.
8. Consider Pest Control Before You Settle In
This can be an ideal time for a professional pest inspection in Phoenix.
With fewer belongings in the way, technicians may have easier access to baseboards, closets, garages, and other areas that can become difficult to inspect later.
Even if you don't see obvious pest activity, starting with a professional evaluation can help you identify potential trouble spots and learn how to better protect your new Phoenix home.
Contact Frontino Pest Control
If you spot signs of pest activity when unpacking, or just want the peace of mind that comes with having your new home checked, contact Frontino Pest Control to schedule a pest inspection.
