New Homeowner? Start Here.

Just closed on a home in the Valley? Congratulations! Whether it is a brand-new build in Gilbert or a historic mid-century home in central Phoenix, moving into a new house is incredibly exciting.

However, the moving process itself leaves your new home highly vulnerable to pest infestations. Here is your essential guide to setting up your pest defense perimeter before the bugs move in with you.

Why the "Move-In" Phase is High Risk

Moving is chaotic. Doors are propped open for hours while furniture is loaded. Cardboard boxes that have been sitting in dark, dusty storage units or moving trucks are brought right into your living room. Furthermore, if the house sat vacant during escrow, the lack of human activity likely allowed pests (especially spiders and scorpions) to claim the territory.

Your New Home Checklist

• The Pre-Move Inspection: Before bringing a single box inside, walk the empty house. Check the corners of closets, under sinks, and inside the pantry for droppings, webs, or dead bugs. It is much easier to identify a prior issue when the rooms are empty.
• Unpack Promptly (and ditch the cardboard): Pests love cardboard. Cockroaches eat the glue, and scorpions hide in the corrugation. Unpack boxes as quickly as possible and immediately break them down and take them to the recycling bin outside.
• Check the Seals: Inspect the weather stripping around all exterior doors. Check the screens on the windows. Make sure the dryer vent has a proper flap. Seal off the easy entry points.

Get on a Maintenance Plan Early

The most cost-effective way to manage pests is proactively. We highly recommend scheduling a heavy "flush-out" service before or immediately after you move in. This initial treatment knocks down any existing populations that moved in while the house was vacant.

After that, getting on a bi-monthly or quarterly maintenance plan (like our ZONA360° program) ensures that a protective barrier is established around your property, letting you focus on decorating and enjoying your new home, rather than chasing bugs.