If you are looking for a new apartment in Northern Virginia, there are already many things that you need to look out for – the amenities, the cleaning and maintenance, the water pressure. One factor that you should be on the lookout for is indicators of a pest problem.

Bugs and rodents tend to stay relatively hidden and a quick cleaning before you arrive could be enough to remove any bugs you might see. For this reason, you often will not see pests themselves during an apartment tour, even if they are lurking nearby. When you know what signs to look for, you can still identify a pest problem before you sign a lease.

Signs of Pest Problems During Apartment Tours

Every property can be at risk for a pest problem. Pest problems at apartments are often more likely because the multiple units mean there many people living in close proximity, generating ample food for pests.

When you are moving into a new apartment, being able to identify signs of a pest problem before you sign the lease can save you a headache later. Some of the signs you should watch out for include:

• Droppings – Rodents can leave behind visible droppings. Mice droppings are about the size of a grain of rice with tapered ends. Rat droppings are slightly larger with round ends. Insects will leave droppings as well. Knowing what you are looking at, and how to tell the difference between droppings and other debris, will help you determine if there are pests.
• Chew Marks – If mice and rats have been inside a home, they will likely have chewed on surfaces. They chew to keep their teeth maintained, and will leave gnaw marks on walls, pipes, wires, exposed wood, and other surfaces.
• Grease Marks – Bugs and rodents will often secrete oils from their skins. As they brush up against surfaces, the oil transfers to walls and collects dust, creating a grey smudge. These can be harder to clean, so look for grey marks on baseboards and walls, and near any gaps that pests may try to squeeze through.
• Rustling Noises – Rodents will often make noise as they move around. Cockroaches are also large enough that can be heard through walls. You might be able to hear rustling, squeaking, or scratching. With rats and mice, these noises most often happen in the evening time and that can be a good time to do any new apartment tours if you can manage it.
• Odors – Rodents, cockroaches, and a few other pests will start to cause odors, especially as their numbers get larger. This can come from waste products and the pheromones that pests excrete. If you notice an odor, or a perfume-like smell that could indicate that an odor is being covered up, you should look further into what is causing the issue.
• Holes and Gaps – Check around windows, vents, pipes, and other entry points in your apartment. Any small holes are places where pests can get in. This could indicate that there are already bugs or rodents inside, but even if the apartment is currently pest free, these holes provide pests with an easy way to get in at a later time.
• Pest Control Products – It is common for most households to have a few pest control products, but if the current renters have a large number of pest control products under their sink or in their utility room, they might be trying to deal with a pest problem.

ExtermPRO is a Northern Virginia pest control company with extermination and pest prevention services for apartments, condos, and townhomes. We work with both individual homeowners and property managers to get rid of pests at your property. Contact us today for a quote.