The Pest Test Guide

The Pest Test Summary
What: A pest test is an examination for evidence of the presence of unwelcome animals and insects such as ants, termites, rodents, and other vermin.
Who: A pest test is generally conducted by a building’s owner or resident.
Where: Pest tests are conducted inside the home but should also include an examination of the area outside the home, which will shed some light on how the pests are getting inside.
When: Pest tests can be conducted year-round.
How: The pest test generally involves close observation of the residence for specific signs of pests’ presence.
Type: A pest test is generally made up of an examination of any area where a particular type of pest might live, feed, or pass through.
Why: The ultimate purpose of a pest test is to ensure that the residence is pest-free, as part of a plan for home pest control. This is desirable because pests can cause property damage and can endanger the residents’ health.
Time: The time a pest test requires will vary according to the thoroughness of the test and the size of the residence.
Language: Varies.
Preparation: The only preparation required is to determine beforehand which areas of the residence are likely to be inhabited or used by the pests. The person conducting the test may also wish to dress so that his or her arms and legs are covered, as some pests may bi
Cost: Generally, pest tests cost little or nothing. In the case of the Wood Destroying Organisms Inspection Report, the cost may run from $200 to $500, depending on the state in which the test is conducted and the size of the residence.

By Adam Reger, Tests.com Contributing Writer

A pest test is an examination of one’s residence for any evidence of infestation by pests such as termites, ants, rodents and other vermin. These pests can cause property damage and in some cases may even endanger residents’ health. Conducting a pest test should be the first step in the process of pest control. The purpose of a pest test is usually to confirm that unwanted animals or insects are present prior to enlisting the services of an exterminator or purchasing do-it-yourself products such as insect sprays and poisons or rat or mouse traps.

Kinds of Pest Tests

Before undertaking any pest test, a homeowner or resident should prepare by dressing appropriately. Because there is a good chance of encountering pests, some of which may bite or sting, wearing long sleeves and gloves is advisable. A flashlight may also be useful, as most pests tend to prefer dark and empty spaces.

Ant Tests: Carpenter ants are a frequent problem for homeowners and apartment renters. They prefer to nest in moist or softened wood. This makes outdoor woodpiles especially likely nesting areas, along with decayed stumps. Indoors, carpenter ants can be found in areas where water leakage may occur, such as the areas around a dishwasher, sink or bathtub. Carpenter ants are nocturnal, so the best time to look for the ants themselves is after sundown or early in the morning. Carpenter ants range from a quarter to 3/8th of an inch and are generally dark brown to black in color. The presence of a large number of ants indoors strongly suggests that they have built an indoor colony. Seeing only occasional ants indicates that their nest is outside and they are entering the residence through some kind of hole or opening.

Cockroach Tests: Cockroaches can most often be found in dark, moist places such as basements and crawl spaces. Bathtubs, floor drains and sewer entrances are also likely places to find cockroaches. While these insects generally live outside, they tend to migrate indoors according to the weather, making them more likely to appear during the winter for most residences in the United States. The most common way of determining the presence of roaches is by simply seeing them or by noticing their feces in some of the above-mentioned places where they are most likely to be found. Another way of determining whether cockroaches are present—or of confirming a cockroach infestation—is by inspecting points where cockroaches might enter a building. These include all ground-level walls and windows; areas of water leaks and overflowing drains; collected, rotting leaves (often found in places like window wells); and trashcans left standing in moist areas.

Termite Tests: Drywood termites typically infest low-moisture wood. In residences, this means that termites may be found in the building itself, or in wood furniture; outdoors, termites infest woodpiles and trees. Termites form colonies, generally of about 50 termites to begin with; after several years, however, that number may grow to as many as 700. Signs that will indicate the presence of termites include shed wings, ejected fecal pellets (especially piles of pellets) and galleries (which resemble narrow tunnels) inside wood.

One specific termite test is the Wood Destroying Organisms Inspection Report (also known as a Termite Inspection Report), which is often provided when a building is being sold. The report contains the results of a search for evidence of damage by wood-destroying organisms—this generally means termites, but also includes beetles and fungi that destroy wood. The report tells the buyer if the pest control inspector saw any of the following: live termites or other wood-destroying organisms; evidence of infestation; damage caused by wood-destroying creatures; and evidence of any previous treatment for wood-destroying organisms. Often, the seller of the building will pay for the report, which tends to run from $200 to $500, depending on the state and the size of the building.

Mice, Rat, and Squirrel Tests: The adult house mouse is one to two inches long. Their diet is varied, but mice prefer grains and cereals to other foods. This is one means of determining the presence of mice, as mice will often gnaw through packaging to get at breads and grains. Other signs of infestation include feces, which are generally one eighth to one fourth of an inch long; shredded boxes or paper (usually shredded at the corners) for use in nests; and gnawed holes, usually about one to one and a half inches in diameter. In addition to these signs, possible entrances for mice may be checked to determine whether mice may have entered the building. Mice can enter through very small openings. Some common entrance points are cracks in walls and doors, openings for water pipes and drains, the spaces around windows, and windows and doors that do not fit tightly in their frames.

Two species of rat that are often found in residences are the Norway rat and the roof rat. The Norway rat is slightly larger than the roof rat, growing up to eight inches long and weighing as much as 16 ounces. Both rats leave droppings of about one fourth to one half of an inch. They can also be detected by their tracks, which can range from three fourths of an inch to one inch in length. A simple means of inspection is to sprinkle an area where you suspect rats of crossing with baby powder or flour, and later inspect the area for tracks. Rats’ gnawed holes are generally two inches or larger in diameter, with rough edges. Rat burrows, a strong sign of rat infestation, can be found beneath rubbish or shrubbery and are free of vegetation. One very effective means of looking for evidence of rat infestation is to use a UV flashlight, which will identify rat urine. When conducting a pest test with a UV flashlight, one should begin from the exterior and then proceed to the interior, looking for possible entry points for rats. These include windows, utility lines, rooftops and sewer openings. The inspection should also focus on areas where rats may obtain food and shelter, such as woodpiles, cupboards and cabinets, garages, pantries, attics, crawl spaces, waterways and storage areas.

Squirrels can generally be detected by the noise that they make, which is relatively easy to notice because they are active during the daytime. They tend to enter attics and crawlspaces. Squirrels will usually enter attics through rooftop gutters and overhanging branches. One method of inspection is to observe likely areas of entry, such as points along a rooftop gutter or window frames. Squirrels also hoard food, so the presence of a cache of acorns or nuts is another telltale sign of their presence.

Other Pest Tests: Spiders, like mice and insects, can enter a house or apartment through very tiny holes and cracks. The simplest way of testing your house for the presence of spiders is to look for their webs. Spiders tend to build webs in empty, out-of-the-way areas such as basements, attics and pantries, but they are also drawn by clutter. Another reliable indicator of whether there may be spiders in your house is whether other insects are present: spiders eat insects, and will likely be drawn indoors in search of prey.

Flies are a common pest, particularly in the summer. The simplest test is simply to notice the presence of flies, both living and dead. An examination can be accomplished most effectively by focusing on areas that are likely to draw flies, such as trash cans and sink drains, where exposed or rotting food may draw the flies. Points of entry, such as window screens and the cracks around windows and doors, are also ideal points to examine for the presence of flies.

What to Do Following a Pest Test

If a pest test provides conclusive evidence of a pest, the next step is to take action toward pest control. In cases of serious infestation, this should involve calling a professional exterminator, who will be able to determine the extent of the problem and develop a plan for eliminating it. In cases where the problem is less serious, the proper course of action may be to identify and purchase any available products that will eliminate the pest. These might include, for instance, roach traps for cockroaches, or mouse or rat traps for rodents.

Regardless of the extent of the problem, many experts recommend regularly scheduled appointments with exterminators to ensure that the infestation does not recur. Another crucial step, following the elimination of the pest, is to eliminate the conditions that led to the infestation. These conditions generally involve a cluttered or unsanitary living space, standing water, open or unsecured food, and messy or overlooked outdoor spaces that pests use for nesting. A key to effective pest control is to develop a consistent routine of inspection and/or maintenance and cleaning to ensure that the original, negative conditions do not recur.

For more on pest tests, read our interview with pest test expert Dr. Robert Davis.