OUR SERVICES

TESTIMONIALS

What Is a Pest Inspection?

What Is a Pest Inspection?

A pest inspection {includes|involves|entails} a {search|hunt|look} for bugs and other {creatures|critters|organisms} that can {cause damage|lead to harm} to the {structure|framework} of your property, a health {hazard|risk|threat} or both. One {common|frequent|usual} structural {concern|issue|problem} is {caused by|due to} termites that {get|derive|obtain} their nutrients from the wood in your house, but {various|several|different} other bugs and rodents can also {cause problems|be problematic|lead to issues}.

What Does a Pest Inspection Entail?

A pest inspection {usually|typically|often} takes place {around|about|near} the same time as a home inspection or appraisal. {In fact|Indeed|Actually}, one of the {instances|times|situations} it might be required is when an appraiser {observes|notices|sees} signs of a potential pest problem. {However|But|Nevertheless}, homeowners can have pest inspections done {whenever|anytime|when} they’re {worried|concerned|anxious} they might have an issue.

{Typically|Usually|Generally}, pest inspection and mitigation services are {provided|offered|given} by the same {types|kinds} of companies that do extermination. If you {suspect|think|believe} a problem and you can {see|identify|spot} where it’s coming from, it may be {possible|feasible} to do some do-it-yourself inspection and mitigation. {However|But|Nonetheless}, this is {something|an aspect|a task} that’s {often|usually|typically} best left to pros. If your mortgage program requires a pest inspection, you will need to {hire|employ|engage} a professional.

With {limited|few} exceptions for {certain|specific} states and counties within states, you {usually|typically|normally} need a pest inspection if you’re getting a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. One {notable|significant|important} exception is the VA Streamline (also known as an interest rate reduction refinance loan or IRRRL), unless an appraiser {thinks|believes|feels} there’s a problem.
Let’s {take|have|dive into} a deeper {dive|look|exploration} into what’s {involved|included|entailed} in the inspection next.

A {Thorough|Comprehensive|Detailed} Search for Any Infestations

A trained pest inspector will {look through|examine|inspect} the interior and exterior of your home for all {manner|types|kinds} of critters that could be a {hazard|threat|risk}. {Depending on|Based on|According to} the region you live in, these {include|comprise|consist of} but aren’t limited to the following:

• Subterranean and above-ground termites
• {Bedbugs|Bed bugs}
• Cockroaches
• Bees and other stinging insects
• Carpenter ants
• {Various|Different|Several} kinds of rodents
• Spiders
• Snakes
• Scorpions
• Moths
• Wood-destroying insects
Evidence of these critters can {include|comprise|consist of} {everything|items|things} from damaged wood to small {collections|gatherings|accumulations} of insect droppings or gnawing marks on furniture.

An Evaluation of Any Structural Damage

Insects and other pests {get into|enter|invade} your house {somehow|in some way}, {usually|typically|often} by {exploiting|taking advantage of|utilizing} and/or causing structural damage to your home. The inspector will {look for|search for|seek out} evidence of damaged floorboards, baseboards, walls, siding and more. After {rooting out|eliminating|getting rid of} the pests from their hiding place, the structural damage will {have to be|need to be} fixed.

A Detailed Pest Report

Once the inspector is done, they’ll {issue|provide|give} a pest inspection report that is {given|provided|offered} to the appraiser. {Although|Even though|While} states use different forms and there are pests they {look for|search for|seek} based on the climate, they do {share|have} some common elements.

Each inspection form will {give|provide|offer} a brief {overview|summary|description} of the pests found. They’ll also {discuss|talk about|mention} where they were found and any damage done. {Finally|Lastly|In the end}, they’ll go over necessary treatments.

Instructions for Treatment And Damage Repair

In most {instances|cases|situations}, the problem {needs|requires} to be treated and any damage {caused by|due to|resulting from} the infestation {needs|has} to be repaired to the satisfaction of the inspector before you can {move forward|proceed|continue} with the loan if the inspector or appraiser had previously noted the problem. {Effective|Efficient|Proper} treatment might {involve|include|entail} a simple one-time visit from an exterminator, or if more {intense|severe|serious} structural damage is found, a longer treatment plan may be {put in place|implemented|established}.

{Regardless|Nevertheless|Nonetheless}, they’ll do another inspection to {verify|confirm|ensure} that the problem has been {taken care of|resolved|addressed}.

How Long Does A Pest Inspection Take?

Most pest inspections {usually|typically|normally} take 30 minutes to an hour to {complete|finish|conclude}. {However|But|Nevertheless}, the actual length could be longer {depending on|based on|according to} what the inspector has to {look for|search for|check}, and the size and layout of the house. For example, if you have a crawlspace or attic that is {harder|more difficult|tougher} to access, that can take some {additional|extra|more} time.

The paperwork also {has to be|needs to be} sent to your mortgage company and that might take a day or two to {process|handle|deal with}. {Beyond|After|Following} that, if damage repair or mitigation is {required|needed}, it {depends|relies|is based} on how {quickly|fast|soon} you can get that scheduled. Once {completed|done|finished}, another inspection to confirm damage repair and eradication of the problem is {usually|typically|normally} necessary. But the {faster|quicker|sooner} you get the damage repaired, the {easier|simpler|more straightforward} it can be.

How Much Does A Pest Inspection Cost?

{According to|Based on|Per} HomeAdvisor, the average cost of a termite and pest inspection is about $100. {However|But|Nevertheless}, the cost can {vary|differ|change} {quite a bit|significantly|a lot} {depending on|based on|according to} the size of the home and what’s being {inspected for|looked for|checked for}. {Additionally|Moreover|Furthermore}, sometimes you might be able to get a {bundle|combined|package} deal if you also have a regular home inspection done with the same company.

With most loan options, it doesn’t {matter|count|make a difference} who pays for the pest inspection. The one that’s different is the VA, and that’s {important|significant|crucial} because it’s also the only loan where pest inspection is {typically|required|usually} required.
{Buyers|Purchasers|Homebuyers}, sellers or lenders can pay for a pest inspection under a VA loan in the {following|next|subsequent} states:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Texas

In the {remaining|other|rest of the} states and Washington, D.C., either the seller or lender {have to|must|need to} pay for the pest inspection on a VA loan.

Should I Get A Home Pest Inspection?

A VA loan termite inspection is {required|needed|mandatory} in many states. If your appraiser {notes|mentions|points out} signs of a pest problem, a pest inspection will be {necessary|required|needed}. If you do not get a pest inspection, you may not be able to {qualify|be eligible} for the mortgage.

{Beyond|After|Outside of} that, no one {wants|wishes|desires} to share their new home with {uninvited guests|intruders}, {particularly|especially|notably} if those guests have more than four legs. {Getting|Having|Obtaining} a pest inspection is {well worth it|worthwhile|valuable} for peace of mind alone. You’ll {feel|be} confident that your new home is a {clean|tidy|neat} and safe place to {live in|reside in|dwell in}.

Home Pest Inspection FAQs

Here are a few of the most {commonly|frequently|often} asked questions {regarding|about|concerning} home pest inspections.

Are pest inspections required?

There are a few {situations|circumstances|cases} in which a pest inspection may be required. If you are {applying|going} for a VA loan or if a home inspection {shows|displays|reveals} signs of a pest infestation, a professional pest inspection will {likely|probably|most likely} be required.

Who pays for a pest inspection?

In some {cases|situations|instances}, like VA loans, the seller may {cover|pay for} the cost of a pest inspection. {Otherwise|Alternatively|On the other hand}, if the buyer’s home inspector {notes|mentions|points out} signs of pests they may {decide|choose|opt} to get a pest inspection before {moving forward|proceeding|continuing} with the process.

The Bottom Line

A pest inspection will {help|assist|aid} {ensure|guarantee|make sure} that no {undesirable|unwanted|unpleasant} creepy crawly has made your home their own. This {relatively|comparatively|fairly} cheap inspection can be {necessary|required|essential} to get a mortgage in some {cases|situations|instances} and it’s also there to {give|offer|provide} you {reassurance|peace of mind|confidence} that the home you’re living in is {safe|secure} and sanitary.

We {hope|wish|desire} you {learned|gained|acquired} a little bit more about pest control. A pest inspection and a general home inspection are {always|consistently|constantly} important, but they can be {particularly|especially|notably} necessary when you’re {buying|purchasing|acquiring} a house that’s sold as-is.

{Call|Reach out to|Contact} us now to {schedule|book|arrange} your home pest inspection.