You just got the keys to a new-to-you house or apartment. Should you book pest control before moving in, or wait until you are settled? For most Dallas homes, the answer is before. An empty home is the easiest home to inspect and treat.
Why an Empty Home Is Easier to Treat
Once furniture and boxes arrive, they cover the places pests use most. Baseboards, closet corners, and the gaps behind appliances all disappear behind your things. A technician can reach every wall and cabinet in an empty home. You also avoid moving dishes, food, and clothes out of the way on treatment day.
There is a second reason. You do not know how the last owner or tenant lived. A home can look clean and still have roaches in the kitchen walls or mice in the garage. Finding that before you unpack is far better than finding it a month later.
What to Check Before the Boxes Arrive
Walk through the home with a flashlight before moving day. Look for these signs:
- Droppings: Check under sinks, in kitchen drawers, and along garage walls.
- Dead insects: Look in light fixtures, windowsills, and cabinet corners.
- Gaps and holes: Check around pipes, dryer vents, and garage door seals.
- Water problems: Leaks under sinks and damp spots draw roaches and ants.
- Mattress seams and bed frames: Check any furniture that was left behind for bed bug spotting.
Apartments Are a Little Different
In an apartment, pests can travel between units through shared walls and plumbing. Ask the property manager when the unit was last treated and whether neighbors have reported problems. Many leases say who is responsible for pest control, so read yours first. If you find signs of pests before you move in, report them in writing right away.
Is Pest Control Before Moving In Always Needed?
Not always. If the home was treated recently and you see no signs, you may be fine with regular service later. But if the home sat empty for a while, backs up to a greenbelt, or shows any of the signs above, an early treatment is worth it. For a brand-new build, our post on why new Dallas homes still get ants and roaches covers what is different. If you have never booked service before, read what to expect during a pest control visit.
Plan the Timing
Book the first visit a few days before moving day. That leaves time for products to dry and for you to air out the home. Then keep up with regular service after you settle in.
HK Pest Control Services offers general pest control for homes and apartments in Dallas, Richardson, and Plano. We are licensed and insured in Texas (TPCL #13923).
Want pest control before moving in? Call us at 469-618-9991 for a free quote, backed by our guarantee.
