Moving can take weeks, even months, and requires a lot of energy and focus. While homeowners are busy packing and ensuring no items are damaged in the process, they could forget about one issue: pests. These unwanted guests can hitch a ride and move into the new home.

Please keep reading for tips on avoiding pests during a move.

Identify pests in the home

The first action homeowners need to take before coming up with a plan to combat pests is to identify them. Here are the most common types:

• Cockroaches: These unwanted guests are usually easily spotted around the house. Homeowners can look for droppings shaped like coffee grounds or small egg cases. Cockroaches leave behind a musty odor, which is another sign of infestation.

• Bedbugs: Homeowners can recognize a bedbug infestation by identifying them in the bed or closet. These pests also leave behind dark excrement and eggshells on sheets and walls.

• Fleas: These pests are often associated with pets, but they can also hide in carpets, beds, and upholstered furniture. They are small, dark, and will jump from one spot to another.

After homeowners identify the pests, they can call an exterminator to eliminate them. Besides ensuring the subsequent owners don’t have a problem with pests, extermination minimizes the risk of bringing them to the next home.

Inspect belongings before packing

Check them thoroughly for pests before placing belongings into a suitcase or box. This isn’t limited to clothing; check rugs, mattresses, furniture, electronics, and even plants. If homeowners discover pests, here’s what they can do:

• Wash clothing, towels, linen, or stuffed animals using the hottest setting, place them into the dryer and store them in plastic bags to minimize the risk of recurring infestations.

• Use baited traps to draw out the pests from electronic devices. Place the devices in plastic bags to prevent future infestations.

• Use neem oil or soapy water to get rid of insects on plants.

Choose suitable packing materials

Many people use cardboard boxes when moving. While they are cost-effective, cardboard boxes can often be filled with pests, especially if homeowners got them from local stores, the street, or a basement.

Homeowners who insist on using cardboard boxes should check them thoroughly before placing belongings into them. The best way to ensure a pest-free move is to use plastic bags and totes and seal them tightly to prevent pests from getting in.

Choose a suitable storage facility

Homeowners who need to keep their belongings in a storage unit should ensure it’s clean and well-maintained. Moreover, it’s vital to always ask for a pest control policy. Setting traps inside the unit is a precaution that can help homeowners protect their belongings.

Call the pros

Professionals can make the otherwise exhausting moving process much more manageable. They handle every aspect of the move with ease and give homeowners peace of mind knowing their belongings are safe and protected.

Miranda Delivery Service offers moving services across Arizona, interior design moving and storage, furniture delivery and assembly,  and commercial storage. Call 480-389-5928 today!