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It’s no fun having critters and rodents take residence inside your home. Not only is it a nuisance but it can cause major structural damage, become a fire hazard and a health hazard.
What you can do:
Inspect your foundation
for cracks, holes and gaps. Check around venting pipes and wires too.
Inspect your windows, doors and the caulking surrounding them. Don’t forget to look at the soffit and facia for holes where squirrels, raccoons, birds and insects can take residence. If you do find gaps where critters can get in make sure they are out before sealing the area again.
A pest control company can help you remove these critters in a humane manner. They are experts at pest removal and are familiar with their life cycles. They can recommend how and when the best time to get them out.
Some Common Pests:
Squirrels
Squirrels are prolific breeders reaching adult age at 9 months. They will typically have 2 litters a year, one in late winter and one midsummer. Squirrels can burrow in your attic, chew on wires and invite other pest such as ants. A small problem can become a big one very quickly.
Raccoons
A raccoon is very adaptable to it’s surroundings and won’t hesitate to build a den in an attic. Their mating season is between January to March and the babies are weaned around four and a half months later. If you suspect a raccoon taking residence in your home be very careful and do not approach it. A mother raccoon is very protective of her young and will attack any predators that approach.
Mice
Mice can be a major nuisance. They can live up to 2 years and have over 60 babies in one year.
Mice will cause damage by chewing wires which will leave your home susceptible to a fire hazard. They are disease spreaders that can leave a mess in your cupboard and pantry. An older home with a wood structure will most likely have had experience with mice intrusions. Mice traps are not a permanent solution. Inspect the outside of your home to find out where they come in and seal those small holes or gaps.
Ants
Insects such as termites and carpenter ants can create major structural damage if not taken care of in a timely manner. A parent colony of the carpenter ant can have many satellite colonies. Ants are attracted to high moisture areas, if you have ants in your home you may have an indoor humidity issue. If you have stacked or rotting wood wood near your house, you may have a colony of ants living there. Ants can get into a house in many ways. Inspect your windows, cracks in your foundation, gaps around duct work and wires, trim branches that reach the house, inspect your wood structures attached to the house and the firewood brought in. Signs that carpenter ants have moved in are small piles of sawdust near burrows and night time rustling sound in the walls. For a permanent solution, the nest has to be located and destroyed. If it’s a satellite colony, it is best to also destroy the parent colony as well.
Your Insurance Policy:
Damage caused by rodents and pests is not normally covered by a standard home insurance policy. Ignoring signs of infestation could be deemed as neglect of proper home maintenance by insurers and the owner would have to take responsibility for the costs incurred.
If you suspect any sort of infestation, it is important to act fast to avoid major and costly repairs. Contact an expert to have the pests removed safely and humanely.
Going Away?
If your home is vacant or unoccupied, a Home Watch Professional can save you a lot of time and money. They will take the time to do a walk around your home and monitor for uninvited pests and rodents.
For more information on pest control tips:
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