Updated October 2026. Five pests that cut what buyers will pay, how each shows up in an inspection, and what to do before you sell.
Pests devalue property because buyers price in the damage they can’t see. Termites are the costliest: the EPA says they cause billions of dollars in structural damage every year, and owners spend over $2 billion a year treating them (read October 2026). Rodents, cockroaches, carpenter ants and wildlife hurt value too, mostly by scaring buyers off or into lower offers.
Jump to: 🏠 Termites · 📍 Rodents · 🪜 Roaches, ants, wildlife · 🤝 Selling with pests · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- Termite damage is structural. An active infestation can stall a sale until it’s treated and repaired.
- Mice fit through openings the size of a pencil eraser, and rats through one the size of a quarter, per NDSU Extension.
- Treat first, keep the invoice and warranty, then disclose what you know on your state’s forms.
- A pre-listing pest inspection costs far less than a price cut after the buyer’s inspection finds a problem.
Curb appeal gets buyers through the door. What’s behind the drywall decides whether they stay. Here’s how each pest affects a sale, and what we’d do about it.
How do termites affect a home’s value?
Termites eat wood from the inside, so damage can go on for years before anyone sees it. Subterranean termites build mud tubes from the soil up the foundation. Swarms of winged termites in spring are often the first visible sign. The EPA suggests probing exposed wood for hollow spots with a screwdriver.
Buyers hear “termites” and think sagging floors and replaced framing. An active infestation, or old damage that was never repaired, can kill a deal or force a big price cut. Some lenders and loan programs also expect a wood-destroying insect report in certain areas, so it can affect financing, not just price.
Prevention is the cheaper path. Schedule regular inspections with a professional pest control company, keep soil and mulch from touching wood siding, send gutter water away from the foundation, and store firewood away from the house.
Can you sell a house with mice or rats?
Yes, but you’ll want to deal with them first. Mice can fit through openings the size of a pencil eraser and chew small holes larger, says North Dakota State University Extension. Rats can get in through a hole the size of a quarter. Once inside, they breed fast.
The damage is real. Rodents chew electrical wiring, which can start fires, and tear up insulation for nests. Droppings and urine leave odors and health risks. NDSU recommends rubber gloves and disinfectant for cleanup.
To buyers, droppings in a cabinet or a smell in the attic suggest a house that hasn’t been looked after. An inspector who finds signs will flag them, and buyers will ask what else is hidden. Learn how to identify household bugs in your house before the inspector does. Seal gaps around pipes and vents with steel wool and caulk or metal flashing, trap the ones inside, clean thoroughly and replace soiled insulation. Then keep the invoice to show buyers.
What about cockroaches, carpenter ants and wildlife?
Cockroaches
Roaches don’t damage the structure, but they ruin a home’s sense of cleanliness. They like warm, damp kitchens and baths. A heavy infestation leaves a musty smell and droppings that are hard to miss during a showing. One sighting can end a buyer’s interest. Fix leaks, clean behind appliances, seal cracks along baseboards and pipes, and take out the trash daily. Our DIY guide to getting rid of cockroaches covers the basics.
Carpenter ants
Carpenter ants don’t eat wood; they hollow it out to nest. Piles of fine sawdust-like debris near window frames, decks or eaves are the clue. Because they prefer damp or rotting wood, they point to a moisture problem as well as possible structural damage. Replace rotted wood, fix gutters and trim branches that touch the roof.
Raccoons, squirrels and bats
Larger animals move into attics and chimneys through loose soffits, torn vents and uncapped chimneys. They chew wires, flatten insulation and leave waste that needs professional cleanup. Install a chimney cap, repair holes in siding and soffits, and cover vents with heavy hardware cloth.
Which pests cost sellers the most?
| Pest | Main damage | How buyers react | First step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termites | Structural wood | Big price cut or walk away | Professional inspection and treatment |
| Rats and mice | Wiring, insulation, odor | Doubt about upkeep | Seal entry points, trap, clean |
| Cockroaches | Sanitation, allergens | Leave the showing | Fix moisture, treat, clean |
| Carpenter ants | Hollowed wood, moisture | Fear of rot | Replace wet wood, treat nests |
| Wildlife | Roof, vents, attic | “Money pit” worry | Humane removal, seal openings |
The pattern is the same for all five. The pest itself matters less than what it suggests about the rest of the house. That’s why a documented fix is worth more than a quiet one.
How should you sell a house that has had pests?
Inspect before you list
A pre-listing inspection tells you what a buyer’s inspector will find. Scheduling routine inspections is also how you catch problems early, while they’re still cheap. If something turns up, you can treat it on your own schedule instead of under a contract deadline.
Sell smarter
List your home on the MLS from $99
A flat fee instead of a percentage, and $0 to Beycome at closing. You stay in control of your sale.
Sell your home →Buy smarter
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On homes listed by other agents, Beycome credits you up to 2% of the price at closing (1% kept, $1,499 minimum; not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers).
Buy a home →Know what the buyer’s inspector will check
Inspectors look in the places pests leave clues: the attic for droppings and flattened insulation, the crawlspace or basement for mud tubes and damp wood, under sinks for roach droppings, and the eaves and soffits for gaps. Walk those same spots yourself with a flashlight before you list. If you find something, take a photo, call a licensed company and keep the paperwork together for buyers.
Treat, repair and document
Hire a licensed company, ask for a written treatment report and any warranty, and keep repair invoices. Many termite warranties can transfer to a buyer, which is a real selling point. Ask your company whether yours does.
Disclose what you know
Disclosure rules vary by state, and many seller forms ask about termites, past treatment and repaired damage. Answer honestly. A disclosed, treated problem with paperwork rarely scares buyers as much as one they discover. Our guide to seller disclosures explains the basics.
Price for what’s left
If there’s damage you won’t repair, price the home with that in mind, or offer a credit. Our free property value calculator gives you a starting range from nearby sales.
When you’re ready, a $99 Beycome flat fee MLS listing puts your home on the MLS with $0 at closing, and state disclosure forms are in your dashboard. If you’re buying next, the Beycome buyer program has no upfront fee on homes listed by other agents; Beycome keeps 1% of the price (minimum $1,499) and credits the rest of the buyer-agent commission at closing, with lender approval. The credit can’t apply where no buyer-agent commission is offered, like most FSBO homes, or on homes listed by Beycome sellers. And always get your own pest inspection before buying a house.
How do you keep pests from coming back?
Pest infestations aren’t something to ignore until it’s convenient. They eat into your equity and show up in inspection reports at the worst moment. Small, steady habits work best: seal cracks, manage moisture, keep food sealed and trash covered, and trim plants back from the house.
Taking preventative steps costs a fraction of what a problem costs during a sale. If you already see signs, read the signs you need pest control services and our step-by-step guide on dealing with a pest infestation at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell my house if it has mice?
Yes. Seal entry points, trap, clean and replace soiled insulation first, keep the invoices, and disclose what you know on your state’s forms.
Do termites lower a home’s value?
Often, yes, especially with active infestation or unrepaired damage. Treatment records, repairs and a transferable warranty limit the hit.
Do I have to disclose past termite treatment?
Rules vary by state, and many forms ask about it. Disclose what you know and keep the treatment report to show buyers.
Should I get a pest inspection before listing?
It’s a good idea. You find problems on your schedule and can treat them before a buyer’s inspector does.
How small a hole can a mouse get through?
About the size of a pencil eraser, per NDSU Extension. Rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter.
Will a buyer’s lender require a termite inspection?
Sometimes, depending on the loan program and the area. Ask early so the report doesn’t delay closing.
Figures as of the dates shown. Beycome prices as of October 2026; “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing (other closing costs and taxes still apply). Buyer program: minimum $1,499 kept by Beycome, credit at closing with lender approval, not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers. General information, not legal advice; disclosure rules vary by state.
Sources
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