Pest Control Priorities for Your First 6

📋 Steps

Week 1: Get a WDO inspection

Before unpacking fully, schedule a Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) inspection. This specialist inspection checks for termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and wood decay fungi. In southern states, budget for this as a non-negotiable. Cost: $75-150. Discovering termite activity at week 1 allows repair negotiation with the previous owner.

Month 1: Complete exclusion audit

Walk the entire exterior with a flashlight at ground level. Photograph every gap, crack, and unsealed utility penetration you find. Seal: all utility penetrations with copper mesh + silicone, gaps at door thresholds (install new door sweeps), foundation cracks, and any gap a pencil passes through. This single effort prevents the most common pest intrusion routes.

Month 1: Apply spring perimeter spray

If moving in during pest-active season (March-October), apply a bifenthrin perimeter spray within the first month. This intercepts any existing pest pressure around the structure before new populations have time to discover entry points.

Month 2: Set up monitoring

Place sticky monitoring traps: in kitchen corners and under sink, in basement corners, in attic corners, and in garage corners. These traps tell you what's already in the structure and provide early warning of any developing infestations. Check every 2 weeks and photograph catch for records.

Month 3-6: Address any issues found

Review monitoring trap results. Any cockroach caught = immediate gel bait program. Rodent activity = snap traps plus exclusion work. Spider populations = determine species and assess if treatment is warranted. Many pest issues discovered in a new home resolve quickly once exclusion is complete.

💡 Tips

Neighbors are an important source of local pest intelligence — ask what pest challenges are common in the neighborhood before you encounter them unexpectedly
Second-hand furniture brought from a previous residence is the #1 bed bug introduction route when moving — inspect all upholstered items before moving them into the new home
New construction homes in the South should budget for termite soil pre-treatment as a standard cost — the disrupted soil around new construction is colonized rapidly
Keep your first-year monitoring trap records — they create a baseline that makes future unusual activity easier to identify

⚖️ Educational use only. Disclaimer →

💰 Cost to Fix This Problem

Approach	Typical Cost	Best For
DIY materials only	$25–$75	Mild or early-stage infestations
Professional service (one-time)	$150–$400	Active infestations or when DIY has already failed
Ongoing service contract	$400–$800/yr	Prevention and long-term peace of mind

Approach

Typical Cost

Best For

DIY materials only

$25–$75

Mild or early-stage infestations

Professional service (one-time)

$150–$400

Active infestations or when DIY has already failed

Ongoing service contract

$400–$800/yr

Prevention and long-term peace of mind

Costs vary by region, property size, and severity. Get at least two quotes before hiring.

✅ How to Know It's Working

Pest control success is measured in weeks, not days. Here's what to look for:

Week 1–2: You may see increased activity as pests are flushed from hiding. This is normal.

Week 2–4: Activity should drop noticeably. Bait traps or sticky monitors should show declining counts.

Week 4–6: New activity near zero. Any resurgence means a population was missed or re-introduction occurred.

💡 Monitoring tip: Place sticky traps in corners and along walls before you start treatment. Counting catches weekly gives you objective data on whether the population is declining.

👷 When to Call a Professional

DIY is appropriate for small, contained infestations caught early. Call a licensed professional when:

You've tried DIY twice with no lasting improvement

The infestation involves a wall void, crawlspace, or area you can't safely access

There's a health risk involved (hantavirus, anaphylaxis risk, etc.)

The problem covers more than one room or a large outdoor area

You have children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals in the household

⚠️ Rule of thumb: If you've spent more on DIY materials than a professional visit would cost, it's time to call.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply a perimeter spray correctly?

Spray the exterior foundation from ground level up 12-18 inches, plus 12-18 inches of ground outward. Also treat all entry points: door frames, window frames, and pipe penetrations. Use a pump sprayer with bifenthrin at label rate.

How often should I reapply?

Bifenthrin provides 60-90 days of residual protection. Heavy rain and sunlight degrade it faster. Most homes benefit from quarterly application in spring, summer, and fall.

Is perimeter spray safe for plants along the foundation?

Pyrethroids have low phytotoxicity but are highly toxic to bees. Avoid spraying flowering plants and apply in early morning or late evening when pollinators are inactive. Direct spray onto foundation and soil, not plant foliage.

Can I do perimeter spray myself?

Yes. Consumer-grade bifenthrin concentrate and a pump sprayer is all you need. The technique is straightforward. The main advantage of professional service is consistent scheduling and expertise identifying vulnerable entry points.

Pest Control Priorities for Your First 6 Months in a New Home

📋 Steps

💡 Tips

💰 Cost to Fix This Problem

✅ How to Know It's Working

👷 When to Call a Professional

❓ Frequently Asked Questions