The First-Year Reality
Pests were in your home before you moved in. They were there when the previous owners lived there. They were there during the vacant months between listings. The first year of homeownership is when you discover what is already present: the mouse that has been using the same gap behind the dishwasher for three years, the termite colony feeding inside the garage wall, the carpenter ant trails running through damp wood in the crawl space.
This is not bad luck. It is simply what happens in homes. The good news is that the first 90 days give you a unique window to address these issues before you have settled in furniture, finished renovations, or started treating a space like it is too disruptive to deal with professionally.
7 Things to Do in Your First 90 Days
1. Get a Pest Inspection Before or Right After Closing
A pre-purchase pest inspection costs $75 to $150 and can reveal termite activity, rodent harborage, carpenter ant damage, and conducive conditions that the home inspection may not cover in detail. Even if you have already closed, schedule a dedicated pest inspection in your first month. Many pest control companies offer free or low-cost initial inspections. Use the findings to prioritize what to address first.
2. Seal the Exterior Before You Are Fully Moved In
The easiest time to seal your home is before furniture fills every room and boxes occupy every corner. Walk the exterior and look for gaps around pipes, wiring, A/C lines, and cable penetrations entering the foundation or siding. Fill gaps smaller than a quarter-inch with caulk or expanding foam. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors — mice can squeeze through a gap the height of a dime. Check the fit of all weather stripping and replace any that is cracked, compressed, or missing. This one-time investment can prevent years of rodent and insect problems.
3. Check the Attic and Crawl Space for Evidence
Pull on a headlamp and physically inspect your attic and crawl space within the first few weeks. You are looking for: rodent droppings (oval pellets near insulation or along joists), urine staining on wood, chewed wiring or insulation, mud tubes (termites), and moisture-damaged wood indicating conditions attractive to pests. What you find determines your next step — but finding it early is almost always better and cheaper than finding it after it has worsened.
4. Fix Moisture Problems First
Nearly every major pest problem is made worse by moisture. Cockroaches and silverfish gravitate toward humid basements. Subterranean termites need moist soil. Carpenter ants prefer damp wood. Mice follow water sources in winter. In your first 90 days, fix leaky pipes under sinks, install a dehumidifier if your basement reads above 50% humidity, add proper ventilation to your crawl space, and check that your downspouts extend at least 6 feet from the foundation. Drying out your home is one of the most effective pest prevention steps available.
5. Establish a Perimeter Treatment Baseline
Even if you have no current pest issues, starting a quarterly pest control plan in your first year creates a protective baseline. A licensed technician will treat the perimeter of your home, common entry points, and any areas of concern. Annual cost for a standard quarterly plan runs $400 to $600 for most homes. This is far less than a single emergency treatment for a cockroach or ant infestation that has had months to establish.
6. Know Your Property’s Specific Risk Factors
Your location tells you a lot about what to watch for. Homes adjacent to woods or fields face elevated risk from deer ticks, mice, voles, and wildlife like squirrels and raccoons. Homes near water or with poor drainage attract mosquitoes. Older construction — especially homes built before 1980 — typically has more rodent entry points and less airtight construction. Homes with mature trees have more ant and wildlife pressure. Use your property’s specific characteristics to focus your prevention efforts.
7. Find a Licensed Pest Company Before You Need One
Do not wait until you have a cockroach problem at 10 p.m. on a Friday night to start searching for a pest company. Research and vet a local licensed exterminator in your first month. Ask for proof of licensing, liability insurance, and a written service guarantee. Read recent reviews. Knowing who you will call before you have a problem saves you from making a rushed decision when you are already stressed.
What to Do If You Discover an Existing Infestation
If you move in and find signs of an active infestation — live cockroaches, mouse droppings, termite damage — document everything with photos and call a licensed pest control company immediately. Check your purchase disclosure documents to see whether the sellers disclosed any prior pest problems. In many states, sellers are legally required to disclose known pest activity. If they did not and the infestation is severe, consult a real estate attorney about your options.
Quarterly Plan vs. Reactive Treatment
Reactive treatment — calling an exterminator only when you see a problem — almost always costs more in the long run. A single cockroach treatment can cost $300 to $600. A mouse exclusion job runs $500 to $1,500. A quarterly plan at $100 to $150 per visit prevents most of these problems from developing in the first place and includes free re-treatment if issues arise between visits.
Starting a new chapter in a new home is exciting. Protect your investment from the start. Get a free quote from a licensed pest control company in your area and set up your first-year prevention plan today.