OUR PEST INSPECTION SERVICES IN Alexandria, VA
Our pest inspection services in Alexandria, VA proactively identify vulnerabilities, ensuring your premises remain free from harmful infestations and potential damage
RESIDENTIAL PEST INSPECTION
COMMERCIAL PEST INSPECTION
INDUSTRIAL PEST INSPECTION
Over 15 Years Reputation for Excellence
Regular pest inspections identify potential infestations early, safeguarding a property’s structural integrity and maintaining its market value.
Regular inspections prevent diseases and allergies by keeping disease-carrying pests like rodents and irritant-causing pests like bed bugs at bay.
Early detection through inspections avoids costly repairs and implements preventive measures, leading to long-term savings for you or your business.
TESTIMONIALS
New York
Chicago
Los Angeles
What Is a Pest Inspection?
What Is a Pest Inspection?
A pest inspection in {Alexandria, VA involves a look for bugs and other critters that can cause damage to the framework of your property, a health hazard or both. One common structural concern is due to termites that obtain their nutrients from the wood in your house, but several other bugs and rodents can also cause problems.
What Does a Pest Inspection in Alexandria, VA Entail?
A pest inspection often takes place about the same time as a home inspection or appraisal. Indeed, one of the times it might be required is when an appraiser sees signs of a potential pest problem. But, homeowners can have pest inspections done anytime they’re concerned they might have an issue.
Usually, pest inspection and mitigation services are given by the same types of companies that do extermination. If you believe a problem and you can spot where it’s coming from, it may be possible to do some do-it-yourself inspection and mitigation. But, this is a task that’s typically best left to pros. If your mortgage program requires a pest inspection, you will need to engage a professional.
With limited exceptions for certain states and counties within states, you normally need a pest inspection if you’re getting a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. One important exception is the VA Streamline (also known as an interest rate reduction refinance loan or IRRRL), unless an appraiser thinks there’s a problem.
Let’s take a deeper look into what’s entailed in the inspection next.
A Detailed Search for Any Infestations
A trained pest inspector in Alexandria, VA will examine the interior and exterior of your home for all kinds of critters that could be a hazard. Based on the region you live in, these comprise but aren’t limited to the following:
• Subterranean and above-ground termites
• Bedbugs
• Cockroaches
• Bees and other stinging insects
• Carpenter ants
• Various kinds of rodents
• Spiders
• Snakes
• Scorpions
• Moths
• Wood-destroying insects
Evidence of these critters can comprise things from damaged wood to small accumulations of insect droppings or gnawing marks on furniture.
An Evaluation of Any Structural Damage
Insects and other pests invade your house somehow, often by utilizing and/or causing structural damage to your home. The inspector will seek out evidence of damaged floorboards, baseboards, walls, siding and more. After rooting out the pests from their hiding place, the structural damage will have to be fixed.
A Detailed Pest Report
Once the inspector is done, they’ll give a pest inspection report that is provided to the appraiser. Even though states use different forms and there are pests they look for based on the climate, they do share some common elements.
Each inspection form will provide a brief overview of the pests found. They’ll also mention where they were found and any damage done. Finally, they’ll go over necessary treatments.
Instructions for Treatment And Damage Repair
In most cases, the problem needs to be treated and any damage caused by the infestation needs to be repaired to the satisfaction of the inspector before you can proceed with the loan if the inspector or appraiser had previously noted the problem. Effective treatment might include a simple one-time visit from an exterminator, or if more serious structural damage is found, a longer treatment plan may be implemented.
Regardless, they’ll do another inspection to confirm that the problem has been taken care of.
How Long Does A Pest Inspection in Alexandria, VATake?
Most pest inspections usually take 30 minutes to an hour to conclude. However, the actual length could be longer according to what the inspector has to look for, and the size and layout of the house. For example, if you have a crawlspace or attic that is tougher to access, that can take some more time.
The paperwork also needs to be sent to your mortgage company and that might take a day or two to deal with. Following that, if damage repair or mitigation is needed, it relies on how fast you can get that scheduled. Once done, another inspection to confirm damage repair and eradication of the problem is typically necessary. But the faster you get the damage repaired, the simpler it can be.
How Much Does A Pest Inspection in Alexandria, VA Cost?
Per HomeAdvisor, the average cost of a termite and pest inspection is about $100. Nevertheless, the cost can differ a lot depending on the size of the home and what’s being looked for. Additionally, sometimes you might be able to get a package deal if you also have a regular home inspection done with the same company.
With most loan options, it doesn’t matter who pays for the pest inspection. The one that’s different is the VA, and that’s significant because it’s also the only loan where pest inspection is usually required.
Purchasers, sellers or lenders can pay for a pest inspection under a VA loan in the following states:
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Texas
In the rest of the states and Washington, D.C., either the seller or lender need to pay for the pest inspection on a VA loan.
Should I Get A Home Pest Inspection in Alexandria, VA?
A VA loan termite inspection is mandatory in many states. If your appraiser notes signs of a pest problem, a pest inspection will be needed. If you do not get a pest inspection, you may not be able to qualify for the mortgage.
After that, no one wants to share their new home with uninvited guests, particularly if those guests have more than four legs. Obtaining a pest inspection is valuable for peace of mind alone. You’ll be confident that your new home is a tidy and safe place to live in.
Home Pest Inspection FAQs
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about home pest inspections.
Are pest inspections in Alexandria, VA required?
There are a few circumstances in which a pest inspection may be required. If you are going for a VA loan or if a home inspection shows signs of a pest infestation, a professional pest inspection will most likely be required.
Who pays for a pest inspection in Alexandria, VA?
In some instances, like VA loans, the seller may cover the cost of a pest inspection. Alternatively, if the buyer’s home inspector notes signs of pests they may opt to get a pest inspection before proceeding with the process.
The Bottom Line
A pest inspection in Alexandria, VA will aid ensure that no unwanted creepy crawly has made your home their own. This fairly cheap inspection can be essential to get a mortgage in some situations and it’s also there to give you confidence that the home you’re living in is secure and sanitary.
We desire you acquired a little bit more about pest control. A pest inspection and a general home inspection are constantly important, but they can be particularly necessary when you’re purchasing a house that’s sold as-is.
Reach out to us now to schedule your home pest inspection in Alexandria, VA.