Should I fumigate for roaches & mice?

Question

Question for my flippers out there - do you guys hire an exterminator for your flips if you notice roaches and mice in the kitchen? I’m working on a flip now that’s in the demo phase and the kitchen is demoed to the studs. Previous owners were hoarders/not very clean but I haven’t seen any pest activity since the home had been emptied out a few weeks ago. I know roach eggs can be dormant for a while but i believe they were nested above the upper cabinets and below the lowers that were thrown away. Cabinets went up to the ceiling which gave them a place to hide and nest. Seen a ton of them as the cabinets were taken down a few weeks ago. With all the construction going on in the home plus no food source, I would assume they’ll die off or run away. Would it be necessary to fumigate?

Chris Seveney · Answer

I would fumigate as if you think during construction there is no food source, I would tell you that is not true. Construction workers eat and leave a mess. You would be surprised some of the things we have seen. On larger sites you could have porta johns every floor and still find 100's of urine bottles in the walls as well as food thrown in the walls and other stuff. same goes for residential construction.

Nathan Harden · Answer

Roaches, yes.

Mice/Rats. Just call your local pest control to come lay some traps.

Alan F. · Answer

Yes, I would use a company to do this and carry documentation that validates. FWIW I also do professional termite inspection and mitigation. Typically posted on the water heater.

Bob S. · Answer

OF COURSE,

Alecia Loveless · Answer

@Bernardo Colon Yes. I took over a building that one unit was having a mouse problem in (through years of mismanagement not the tenants fault) and immediately hired pest control. They came and did a 3 week intensive treatment and it was about $500 for traps and bait boxes around the whole 8 unit property, traps and bait boxes in that one unit and in its ceiling where they were hearing the mice running and in the basement adjoining their unit. At the end of 2 weeks there were no more mice and I now have quarterly service to the building.

You won’t own yours long enough if it’s a flip to have continued service but the last thing you want is to sell it and then the new owners suddenly have a roach infestation and they trash your reputation all over social media harming your ability to sell your next projects for top dollar.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Yes, 100% every time. Be professional.....it's only a few hundred bucks for a couple visits, and the next owner will expect and appreciate that the house is squeaky clean and pest-free....

Jacob Sherman · Answer

I would do it for both roaches and the mice . You're flipping it and want to do good business . Also depending on what state its in there are sellers disclosure laws where it can get messy if you do not take the right steps . Its better to treat it and get it under a pest control contract that is transferable to your buyers .

Should I fumigate for roaches & mice?

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