BiggerPockets

I recently looked at a home that I'm doing numbers on. The only problem is, how do I estimate pest control into my repair costs unless I get an inspection done? Is there any other way to estimate it now or should I go ahead and get a pest-control service out there for an estimate so I can have real numbers. I've just noticed some dead cockroaches lying around in some of the areas in the house. What is your experience with factoring this in your numbers? thanks

M Read: Thanks so much for that info. It will help me to do some "Do it myself" numbers on material I can get at Home Depot to get rid of the rest of the cockroaches. It was funny because when the realtor showed us the home, of course she said that the seller had gotten rid of all the cockroaches. :) I guess that's just how selling works:) My partner and I noticed dead cockroaches and thought we'd definitely need to make sure they are eliminated successfully. Thanks for your tips!

Actually, M Read is correct. It is easy to get rid of cockroaches using the boric acid method he has mentioned. I have a phobia for roaches and that's the method I have used a couple of times to get rid of them. And because boric acid is not very toxic for humans, it is relatively safe to use unless you have a baby that scoops up a whole bunch of it and eats it up.

Call up a few pest control companies and they will tell you the cost for an inititial treatment and follow-up treatments.

One problem is that whatever is put out initially has no effect on the egg sacks, only the crawling roaches.

Another problem is the 'slob factor'. If your tenants are nasty the roaches will return. I have a couple of duplexes with that problem in that one side is neat and the other side leaves food out, never washes dishes, etc.

What I also like to do is get a big bag of (I forget what kind) poison powder that I ring the outside of the unit with like a moat.

Reason I do that now is 'cause one time I had an infested property professionally treated and the neighbor called up screaming that all my roaches had invaded her house! And it was probably true!.....

I'd go with Combat Gel to get rid of roachs. Follow the directions on the package carefully. If you call an exterminator, that's probably what he'll put out. No need to pay him for that.

However...... you will call someone for a termite inspection, won't you?

If you are doing repairs, you have time to get rid of the roaches. Then once they are gone, fog under the house for spiders, and put out bait blocks for the mice (You can't put out any other poisons while you are using Combat Gel)

Flea foggers with pre-cor will get rid of fleas.

Fix the window screens and sticky fly strips for the flies. If nobody will be inside the house, vapor strips for the flies and mosquitos.

What other pests you got?

Sweeney's Peanut Pellets for the gophers, unless you have someone in your area with a rodentinator who will come out and blow your gophers up.

what guarantee does Mesa Pest Control offer along with what type of results can be expected? Many people maybe anxious to know how long it will take to clear up any pest's infestation and this question can be answered after further evaluation.