Can tenants request owner to conduct pest control prior to start of lease?
The home is a newly constructed landed property.

why not?
the owner is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the unit unless stated otherwise in the contract.

I think is reasonable for the owner to do pest control before tenant move in, but after the tenant move in then it will be entirely on the tenant. If there is any pest issues the tenant have to bear the cost

Lease or rent?

The general rule is if it's on a lease then usually it falls on the leasee BUT if it's a rent then the landlord bears all the upkeep or the property. For the latter, the tenant is basically going to for what the tenant is using and nothing more.