What Pest Control Pros Wish You Knew Before Moving Day

Most people think about bubble wrap and packing tape when they move. Pest control pros? We see the freeloaders hiding in the seams. Roaches wedged into cardboard flaps, bed bugs clinging to mattress folds, silverfish tucked deep in book boxes. Without realizing it, you could be giving these stowaways a one-way ticket to your new home. That’s why pros often turn to tools like Sterifab—a disinfectant and insecticide in one—to stop pests before they ever make it onto the truck. Because moving day pest control isn’t only about what you’re leaving behind. It’s about making sure you don’t unpack a problem in your new place.

The Usual Suspects: Who’s Hitching a Ride?

Bed bugs top the list, and for good reason. Their flat bodies make them excellent stowaways in furniture, luggage, and especially moving trucks. In fact, bed bugs in moving trucks are a bigger issue than most people realize. Trucks often rotate between customers, meaning one family’s infestation can easily become the next family’s nightmare.

Cockroaches also love the moving process. They slip into cardboard boxes, particularly if they’ve been stored in damp basements or kitchens. Rodents, silverfish, and even carpet beetles aren’t shy about tagging along either.

Want to know more about the sneaky ways bed bugs travel? Read The Bed Bug Commute: How These Pests Hitch Rides Without You Knowing.

Step One: A Pest Inspection Before Moving

Professional movers aren’t responsible for identifying infestations—that’s on you. A pest inspection before moving is one of the smartest investments you can make. Even a quick walk-through of storage areas, closets, and under beds can uncover early warning signs like droppings, shed skins, or insect casings.

If you spot activity, treat before you pack. Trying to “move around” an infestation only guarantees you’ll be unpacking the same problem in your new home.

Packing With Pests in Mind

Here’s where most people go wrong. They grab free boxes from grocery stores or storage bins from the garage. Problem is, cardboard is a favorite hideout for pests, and bins left sitting in storage may already be compromised.

Some moving tips to avoid pests:

• Stick to new boxes when possible.

• Line containers with plastic bags for added protection.

• Vacuum furniture, cushions, and mattresses thoroughly before wrapping.

• Consider disinfecting furniture before moving with a product like Sterifab spray, which disinfects and tackles a wide range of pests.

Unsure what to do with furniture or items that might already be compromised? Read How to Properly Dispose of Contaminated Items.

Arrival: Moving Into a New Home Pest Control

Even if you left pests behind, your new home isn’t automatically in the clear. Empty houses attract rodents and insects, particularly if they’ve sat vacant. The smart move is to treat high-risk areas before you unload the truck. A quick application of Sterifab spray along baseboards, closets, and kitchen cabinets not only disinfects surfaces but also knocks down any insects that may already be lurking.

For a detailed checklist on where Sterifab fits into your moving routine, check out Moving In or Out? Why Sterifab Should Be Part of Your Moving Checklist.

Make Pest Control Part of the Moving Checklist

Think of pest control as part of the same process as forwarding your mail or switching utilities. Add “moving checklist pest control” to your to-do list and follow through with each step: inspection, treatment, and prevention.

By tackling pests when moving—before they have a chance to settle in—you avoid the much bigger hassle (and expense) of calling in professional exterminators after the fact.

Keep the Move, Ditch the Pests

Moving should be a clean slate, not a replay of old pest problems. With some planning, you can avoid bringing bed bugs along for the ride, cut down the chances of roaches or rodents tagging along, and make disinfecting furniture part of your moving prep.

When it comes to moving day pest control, the pros know one thing for certain: once pests hitch a ride, they don’t pay rent. Stop them before they start.

Grab a bottle of Sterifab and make pest control one less worry on moving day.