
Pest infestations aren’t always obvious. Some homeowners realize they have pests after they come across them or notice the damage caused to their home. Most pests are shy and don’t want to come into contact with human beings.
Pests can cause serious damage to your property. Here are some ways pests can cause damage without you knowing it.
Drafts
Pests find their way into your home through small cracks or airways near the doors, windows, or the foundation. They’re sometimes determined to work their way in by pushing in the insulation or weatherstripping. These small gaps cause drafts in your home. They also allow other types of pests to enter your home.
Drafts drive up heating costs since they cause your HVAC to work even harder during the cold months. They make you feel colder than ever before. One of the best ways to prevent pests is to fix your drafts. Look for insulation or weatherstripping damage in any areas of your home.
Notice any damage surrounding your doors and window frames. Seal any cracks with caulking or consider having your window frames replaced.
Wood Damage
Termites and carpenter ants are notorious for causing wood damage. This type of damage is sometimes harder to pinpoint until you notice a large presence of these insects in your home. These pests break down the wood and create their own pathways. They use these tunnels to find new places to hide like your home.
Significant wood damage can take years to notice. Remember that different types of pests leave behind different types of damage. Carpenter ants tend to leave sawdust shavings behind while termites build mud-tunnels to move from one place to another. They tend to move through the wooden structures until it’s replaced.
Electrical Damage
Electrical damage can cause a serious problem in your home. They often lead to electrical fires and explosions. Check out all of the wires in or around your home. If you notice any damage, move out or have your wires replaced as soon as possible.
Rodents love to chew on wires. This type of damage is particularly dangerous since it often goes undetected. Rats and mice are shy creatures, so they’ll chew on wires that are hidden out of view. It’s hard to notice the damage caused to your wiring until something bad happens.
Paper Damage
Books, magazines, and newspapers aren’t safe from rodents. Beetles, roaches, termites, and lice love to chew on paper. They use it as their primary food source when no other food is present. Paper damage also goes unnoticed since books and magazines aren’t used every day.
When pests come upon paper, they keep feeding on it until there’s nothing left. They’ll just cause damage to whatever they’re feeding on. Paper also allows them a place to hide and provide food for their babies. After they’re done feasting on the paper, they’ll sneak into the other parts of your home.
Store your paper products in a cool and dry place. If you’re storing your books or magazines for a long period of time, keep them in air-tight plastic containers.
Structural Damage
Mice, in particular, have very sharp teeth that can get into anything. It makes it easy for them to chew whatever is in their path. They create holes into whatever surface they chew and create pathways into your home. It’s not difficult for mice to chew wood, lead, and other materials.
Structural damage can lead to several problems and headaches for homeowners. It can also lead to costly repairs down the line. A home inspection can help you reveal the source of the problem and locate where those pests are hiding in your home.
Contamination
Germs and bacteria left over by rodent waste can spread to the other parts of your home. It’s very common for families to come in contact with rodent feces, urine, and saliva in high-trafficked areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. As the infestation grows, it can create airborne germs that present dangers for your family.
Cleaning the droppings will cause you to breathe in this harmful bacteria. Proper cleaning methods can make it easier to avoid contamination that can occur from cleaning up rodent waste. Take precautionary methods such as wearing goggles and protective gloves.
What’s worse is not knowing you have a pest infestation. As soon as you learn you have an infestation, contact www.moxieservices.com as soon as possible. There are also ways to control pests without using pesticides.