Your Stress Free Moving Handbook

Posted on: 23 January 2023

Townhome and apartment dwellers are at risk of inheriting pest problems from neighboring units. If you are moving away from a problematic apartment, it's vital that you work hard not to bring any pests like ants, roaches, or bed bugs to your new home. What steps can help? Here are five tips for any household. 

1. Hire More Help

You can't rush when moving from a pest-infested home to a new one. Everything needs to be carefully examined, washed, and cleaned, and even disassembled to check internal components for pests. This means that hiring professional help is more important than ever. 

Ideally, hire assistance with the actual packing work. However, even if you just get more help on moving day, you'll all have time to devote to thoroughness. 

2. Wash Everything

One of the most important steps to get rid of pests is to wash everything you can thoroughly with hot water and soap. Launder (with hot water) all linens and clothing. Wipe down everything inside and out. Run appliances through hot cycles if taking them. Leave no stone unturned. 

3. Stage Items Outside

The outdoor area will become a helpful staging ground to ensure pests don't make it into the moving truck or your new home. 

Remove laundered items from the home and pack them elsewhere if possible. Wrapping up some furnishings or appliances in sealed plastic and leaving them in the sun can also help kill roaches or bed bugs from the heat. And the natural sunlight provides another chance to examine things before they are taken elsewhere.  

4. Seal Your Stuff

Plastic will be a great resource for this move. Use it to seal in any potential bugs which have gotten through and to seal out pests from items that have been cleaned. Don't reuse any boxes or packing material. The best materials are sealable plastic bags and bins, but new cardboard is better than potentially problematic used cardboard. 

5. Don't Bring Some Things

Certain household goods are at higher risk of bringing along unwanted hitchhikers. Plants, for instance, can easily harbor unseen pests and should often be thrown out. You should also be willing to discard things like food and liquids, mattresses, and small appliances which generate heat that attracts insects. 

Your movers may offer advice on this based on their experience. 

Where to Start

Clearly, moving when you have a pest infestation is a particularly challenging task. The best place to begin is to hire qualified and experienced professional movers. Not only can they help you stay on track but can also provide suggestions that work. Make an appointment today to learn more. For more information, contact a moving company near you.