Moving Into a New NYC Apartment? Your Pest Prevention Checklist

Moving day in New York City is chaotic enough without discovering your new apartment has uninvited roommates. Whether you're moving into a newly renovated unit or a charming pre-war walk-up, a systematic inspection before and during move-in can save you months of headaches.

Before You Sign the Lease

Questions to Ask the Landlord or Broker

• Has this unit or building had any pest issues in the past year?
• What pest control service does the building use, and how often do they treat?
• For bed bugs specifically: NYC law requires landlords to disclose bed bug history. Ask for the annual bed bug disclosure notice.
• Is the building enrolled in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program?

Red Flags During the Apartment Tour

• A strong air freshener or chemical smell in an empty apartment — sometimes used to mask pest-related odors
• Caulk that looks fresh and hastily applied around baseboards (could indicate a recent pest issue was patched over)
• Sticky traps or bait stations visible under sinks or in corners
• Droppings along baseboards, inside cabinets, or in closets
• Gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, and where walls meet the floor

Move-In Day Inspection Checklist

Do this before moving any furniture or boxes into the apartment:

Kitchen

• Open all cabinets and drawers — look for droppings, grease smears, egg cases, or dead insects
• Inspect under the sink thoroughly — check around pipes, behind the garbage disposal, and in corners
• Pull out the stove and refrigerator if possible — look behind and underneath
• Check inside the dishwasher, especially around door seals and the filter
• Run the garbage disposal and check for drain flies

Bathrooms

• Inspect under the sink and around the toilet base
• Look for moisture damage or mold (which attracts pests)
• Check inside the medicine cabinet and vanity
• Look for silverfish — they love humid bathrooms

Bedrooms

• Inspect the closets — corners, shelves, and along the baseboard
• If the unit has existing fixtures like built-in shelving, check behind and underneath
• Examine any carpet edges for evidence of carpet beetles or fleas
• If the unit was furnished, inspect any beds thoroughly for bed bug signs

Living Areas

• Check along all baseboards for droppings, rub marks, or gaps
• Inspect window frames and sills — particularly for gaps that let in flies and ants
• Look behind any radiators or heating units
• Check inside electrical outlet and light switch covers (with power off) for roach evidence

Basement and Storage

• If you have a storage cage, inspect it before putting anything inside
• Look for rodent droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting material
• Check that the space is dry — moisture attracts virtually every pest

Preventing Pest Transfer From Your Old Place

Moving is one of the most common ways pests spread, especially bed bugs.

Packing Tips

• Inspect all furniture, especially upholstered pieces, before loading them on the truck
• Wash and dry all clothing, linens, and fabrics on the highest heat setting before packing — or immediately upon arrival
• Use clear plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes when possible (you can see inside them, and roaches can't eat the glue)
• Don't pack anything from under the kitchen or bathroom sinks without inspecting it first
• If you had any pest issues at your previous address, consider having your belongings treated before moving

On Moving Day

• Don't set boxes on the floor of hallways or stairwells for extended periods — roaches and other pests can climb inside
• Unpack quickly and break down all cardboard boxes — remove them from the apartment the same day if possible
• Inspect each item as you unpack and place it in its new location

First-Week Essentials

Seal and Secure

• Caulk any gaps you found during inspection (around pipes, baseboards, window frames)
• Install door sweeps on the front door if there's a visible gap
• Place fine mesh screens over any uncovered drain openings
• Fill gaps around electrical outlets with foam gaskets (available at any hardware store)

Set Up Monitoring

• Place a few sticky traps (glue boards) in key locations: under the kitchen sink, behind the toilet, inside closets, and along bedroom baseboards
• Check the traps weekly for the first month — they'll tell you what's active in the space before it becomes visible

Stock Your Cleaning Arsenal

• Keep the kitchen exceptionally clean for the first few weeks — you're establishing territory
• Wipe counters after every use, sweep daily, and don't leave any food out
• Clean inside all cabinets with a mild disinfectant before putting food or dishes inside

When to Call a Professional

If your inspection or monitoring reveals any of the following, contact a pest control professional before fully settling in:

• Roach droppings or live roaches in multiple areas
• Any sign of bed bugs (stains, shed skins, live bugs)
• Mouse or rat droppings
• Evidence of carpenter ants (sawdust piles near wood structures)
• More than a few insects on sticky traps within the first week

It's far easier and cheaper to treat an empty or mostly empty apartment than a fully furnished one.