The home inspection you had before purchase was thorough. It was also constrained — a single visit, a fixed time window, and a specific scope. Pest issues that don't show up in a two-hour walkthrough often reveal themselves over the first year of living in a home.
Here's the pest inspection checklist to run through your new Guelph home in year one, when to do each check, and what to do if you find something.
Why Year One Matters
New-home pest issues often fall into three categories:
Inherited problems — issues the previous owner knew about but didn't disclose or didn't recognize.
Latent problems — issues that existed but weren't visible during the inspection.
New problems — pest pressure that develops after move-in, sometimes because of changes you make (renovations, landscaping, new pets).
Catching all three requires paying attention through a full seasonal cycle.
The First-Month Checklist (Move-In)
Do these within the first 30 days:
Basement thorough walk:
- Check corners for droppings, cobwebs, or gnaw marks
- Look at every utility entry point (gas, water, electrical) for gaps
- Inspect stored items left by previous owner for signs of pest activity
- Check for water stains that suggest moisture issues
- Note the sound of any activity in walls or ceilings after dark
Attic (if accessible):
- Look for droppings, nesting material, or visible entry points
- Check insulation condition — compressed areas suggest rodent activity
- Note any daylight visible from inside (means gaps)
- Look for wasp or hornet nest remnants
Kitchen:
- Pull out drawers and check joints for pantry pest signs
- Look behind and under appliances for droppings or grease marks
- Check under the sink for water damage or ant activity
- Inspect cabinet corners
Bathrooms:
- Look for silverfish signs (small silvery insects, especially in the tub overnight)
- Check for ant trails, especially near plumbing
- Note any drain fly activity
Exterior first look:
- Walk the perimeter once, noting anything obviously deteriorated
- Check under decks and porches for signs of nests or burrows
- Look at soffit corners and eaves for wasp activity
- Note any wood piles, sheds, or outbuildings and their proximity to the house
The Spring Check (April/May)
Ontario's pest season starts in spring. First spring in a new home is a great time to check for:
- Wasp queens starting nests. Solo wasps flying near soffits or under eaves in April/May are nest-starting queens. Catch them now.
- Ant trails from indoor nests. Ants emerging in spring often nest in wall voids from the previous year.
- Carpenter ant signs. Sawdust piles near window sills or door frames suggest active carpenter ant colonies.
- Winter rodent activity signs. Any droppings that accumulated over winter become visible when spring cleaning starts.
- Foundation cracks. Winter freeze-thaw cycles reveal issues. Walk the perimeter after the last frost.
The Summer Check (June/July)
Peak pest season. Watch for:
- Wasp nests forming under eaves, deck rails, and shed corners
- Mosquito breeding sites on the property (standing water audit)
- Ant colonies especially carpenter ants in damp wood
- Tick pressure if property backs onto trees or fields
- Any new indoor activity — heat drives some pests inside
The Fall Check (September/October)
Rodent season. Focus:
- Complete exterior audit for entry points before winter
- Attic and basement re-check for early signs of rodent scouting
- Deck and shed inspection for wasps still active (colonies at peak)
- Vegetation clearing away from foundation
- Firewood storage location — away from house
The Winter Check (December/January)
Cold-season issues:
- Sounds in walls or attics — usually mice or squirrels
- Cluster fly hatches on warm days (indicates wall-void population)
- Attic condensation issues revealed by winter conditions
- Any pest activity in stored items in basement or garage
Property-Specific Considerations
If your Guelph home is:
Older (50+ years): Higher rat risk, more entry points, expect more work in year one. Consider a professional entry-point audit as part of the first-year checklist.
Near a wooded area: Higher tick and rodent pressure. Yard treatments and perimeter work matter more.
Near the river or a creek: Higher mosquito pressure and higher rat risk. Plan for both.
With mature trees: More wasp nest sites, more squirrel activity, more overhanging branches to trim.
With a garage: Focus on garage-to-house transitions as a rodent risk area.
With a pool: Wasp and hornet risk elevated near water features.
Recent renovation or addition: Sometimes creates hidden gaps at building intersections that pests exploit.
When to Call for a Professional Inspection
Book a professional pest inspection in year one if:
- You've found signs during your own inspection
- You want a baseline understanding of what's actually on the property
- You're planning renovations that would benefit from a pest-condition assessment first
- You have young children or vulnerable family members and want proactive coverage
- You're not sure how to interpret what you're finding
For most new Guelph homeowners, a single comprehensive first-year inspection combined with a starter service plan makes the transition to the new home much smoother.
How Summit Helps New Homeowners
For a new-home pest assessment in Guelph, Tateum's approach:
- Full property inspection — interior, exterior, attic, basement
- Documented findings — you get a clear picture of what's actually on the property
- Recommendations — priority-ordered, with realistic cost estimates
- Any immediate treatments needed
- Year-one plan — right level of ongoing service for the property's specific pressures
Most first-year inspections take 60–90 minutes and identify pretty much everything worth knowing about the property from a pest perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the seller have disclosed pest issues?Some pest history may fall under Ontario's disclosure obligations, but many issues aren't legally required. Post-purchase discoveries are typically the new owner's responsibility.
Are pest issues common in new-build homes?Yes. Even new construction has pest issues — often related to landscape transitions, unsealed utility entries, and grade issues around new foundations.
When should I start a pest control plan for a new home?Ideally in the first spring after move-in. Getting ahead of the first full pest season saves most first-year headaches.
How much does a first-year pest inspection cost?Typically $150–$300 for a full inspection with report, depending on property size.
Start the Way You Want to Continue
A well-inspected first year sets up years of easier ownership. Small issues stay small; big surprises rarely appear.
Summit Pest Control offers new-home pest inspections and first-year service plans across Guelph and surrounding areas.
Call (226) 780-6446 or request a quick estimate today.