The Hidden House Damage Caused by Pests
Pests have always been a problem for homeowners across the country. Pest infestations are more than just a nuisance. They could cause extensive home damage, water leaks, and even spread pest-related diseases.
According to the American Housing Survey, over 2.9 million home occupants reported rodent and cockroach infestations. House damage resulting from pest infestations may range from subtle to severe. You may need thousands of dollars to repair your home and hire pest control services.
Keep in mind that some pests are shy. You may not notice their presence until your home’s structure starts to fall apart. The following are five examples of hidden house damages caused by pests, as well as how to identify them.
Drafts
Before an infestation, the pest must find a way to access your home. They can do this by making access points near the foundation of your home, the windows, or even doors. Sometimes, they may get into your home by burrowing through your walls or pushing through the weather-stripping and insulation material.
Once the pest gets into your home, these access points remain on the wall. You may notice small gaps in your walls that turn into drafts. Other pests also use these openings to access your home, so don’t be surprised if you find more than one type of pest.
These openings aren’t just a nightmare because they attract pests; they could be the reason for your high energy bills. They increase indoor humidity and act as hot or cold air escapes during the winter and summer. This means that your heating and cooling units have to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
While fixing drafts is a great way to make your home more energy-efficient, it’s also great for preventing pest infestations. Start by checking the walls and looking for any damaged insulation. You will likely find drafts in areas of your home that are unfinished.
Check your windows and doors to ensure the weather-stripping material is intact and undamaged. Check for broken windows or door frames as well. If anything is broken, call a professional to fix it.
Electric Damage
Rodents like mice and rats like to chew on electric cords around the house. Your home will likely have extensive electric damage if you have a rodent infestation. They will chew and damage the soft plastic covering electric chords, exposing your wiring.
These pesky pests may even damage the wiring and release the electrical current. Electrical damage caused by rodents is one of the most dangerous problems you can experience. That’s because it often goes unnoticed for long periods of time.
Because mice and rats are shy pests, they often chew and damage hidden wires. Unfortunately, it’s hard to notice the damage until it becomes a big problem. This could become an electrocution and fire hazard, which can be fatal.
Before touching any hidden wires in your home, ensure you check for rat-munching damage, even if you don’t think an electrical current is running through it. Some damaged wires often overload, leading to short circuits and appliance damage.
The last thing you want to do is deal with damaged appliances in your home. Always keep an eye on all-electric wires and be careful before touching them, especially in hidden or more vulnerable areas of your house. If you notice any damaged wires, contact an electrician to replace them immediately.
Wood Damage
Carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and termites often cause significant damage to the wooden parts of your home. Unfortunately, it’s hard to identify the damage caused by termites until it’s extensive. That’s because they start from wood situated in hidden areas, making it hard to notice unless you go looking for it.
Ants and termites break down the wood as they curve tunnels through it. The termites use these new tunnels to move deeper into the wood and get to new resources, like your home’s resources.
Pests that destroy the wooden structure of your home don’t do it in one day. They do it over a long period, inflicting significant damage before you discover the damage. The best way to find out if your home is termite-infested is to look at your wooden deck and the floors for signs of damage.
Keep in mind that different pests often leave behind different types of evidence. For example, power-post beetles leave pinhead-sized holes in your wood while carpenter ants leave sawdust particles as they dig.
On the other hand, termite damage looks like mud-like tunnels to the nearby wood from the ground. Keep an eye out for this type of damage and call pest control if you encounter any.
Roof Damage
Pests such as rodents may cause extensive damage to the roof of your house. You may find broken, cracked, and hole-filled shingles, as well as damaged pipes and wiring in your attic.
While roof damage is aesthetically problematic, the biggest problem is that it leaves your house vulnerable to leaks, water damage, and flooding, especially during the rainy season.
The resulting structural damage to your house from a roof leak can be devastating. Mildew, mold, fried electric wires, and rotting are caused by building moisture in a home. In addition, flooding can do a lot of damage to your floorboards, ceiling joists, wall framing, and rafters.
Unfortunately, roof repair and replacement projects are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it’s imperative to take care of your roof and avoid pests. You should call in an exterminator as soon as you notice an infestation. This could save you from expensive repairs.
Avoid the Above Pest-Related House Damage
Can pests cause home damage? Pests such as termites, rodents, mice, and ants are more than just a nuisance. They may cause extensive damage to your home’s foundation.
The house damage resulting from pest infestation can be pretty expensive to repair. That’s because they eat away at your home’s foundation and leave your home’s support beams rotting. Contact us at Amco Rangers Termites and Pest Solutions if your house is infested.
Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation inspection of your property. Whether you’re looking to prevent pest damaging homes or salvage an already infested home, we have the right solution for you.