Arena · Game

Inspection Hunt

Walk the house like it’s your first stop of the day. Six things on it are pest problems waiting to happen — find them before the clock runs out. Every round mixes them up.

The exterior checklist

Everything the game can throw at you, and what to tell the customer.

• Tree limbs touching the roof

  Branches over the roof are a highway for roof rats, squirrels and ants straight onto the house.

  Fix: Trim limbs back several feet from the roofline.

• Clogged gutter overflowing

  Overflow soaks the fascia and the soil at the foundation — moisture that draws termites, ants and roaches.

  Fix: Clean the gutters and keep them flowing.

• Downspout dumping at the foundation

  Water pooling against the foundation keeps the soil wet — prime conditions for subterranean termites.

  Fix: Add an extension or splash block to carry water away from the house.

• Daylight under the door

  A house mouse can squeeze through a gap of about ¼ inch.

  Fix: Fit a door sweep and check the threshold.

• Shrubs grown up against the house

  Dense plants against the siding hold moisture and give ants, spiders and rodents cover right at the wall.

  Fix: Trim plants back so there’s a clear gap between foliage and siding.

• Mulch piled up against the foundation

  Deep mulch against the wall holds moisture and can hide termite tubes or bridge over a treated zone.

  Fix: Keep mulch thin and pulled back from the foundation.

• Gap around a pipe entering the wall

  Utility penetrations are one of the top entry points for mice, roaches and ants.

  Fix: Pack the gap with copper mesh or similar exclusion material, then seal.

• Torn crawlspace vent screen

  An open vent is a front door into the crawlspace for rats, mice and wildlife.

  Fix: Replace the screen with heavy-gauge hardware cloth.

• AC condensate dripping at the foundation

  A constant drip keeps the soil wet against the house — attractive to termites, ants and roaches.

  Fix: Extend the condensate line so it drains away from the foundation.

• Firewood stacked against the house

  Woodpiles harbour termites, carpenter ants, spiders and rodents — and this one is touching the wall.

  Fix: Stack firewood off the ground and away from the structure.

• Bucket holding standing water

  Mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in about a week in standing water.

  Fix: Dump, flip or cover containers — tip and toss every week.

• Trash can with the lid off

  Open garbage feeds rats, raccoons and flies.

  Fix: Keep tight-fitting lids closed.