Rodents!
If you’re like most homeowners you probably don’t give a lot of thought to the unfinished spaces of your home. These spaces are often uninviting and may be difficult to access. For these same reasons, rodents find these areas very appealing. Attics and crawlspaces are the ideal living spaces for rodents. They are dark, there is very little human presence, and there is at least some protection from weather. In addition, these spaces often offer other luxuries for rodents such as insulation for nesting and wires for chewing.
So what’s the big deal? Well, if you’re not initially appalled at the idea of rodents living in your home, let’s talk about problems they can create.
Chewing/Wiring: Rodents take care of their teeth by chewing. In a home, wood members and electrical wiring provide perfect chewing substances. A chewed electrical wire in a home can become a serious fire hazard.
Insulation: Your home is insulated for a reason. Much of the homes energy effeciency depends on insulation. Rodents can do an enormous amount of damage to insulation. Not only the insulation of floors and walls, but unsulated HVAC ducts are also often destroyed by rodents. In addition, insulation will absorb dander, urine, and feces.
Allergies: Many people are allergic to the dander of rodents. Homeowners may suffer for years without realizing their allergies are actually being caused by rodent activity in their home.
So what to do? It’s always a good idea to schedule a seasonal inspection of the unfinished spaces of your home. This can be done by yourself if you feel comfortable with it, or you can hire a professional to do the inspection. It’s also a good idea to have a regularly scheduled pest inspection by a certified pest control company. Often, this service can easily be added on to the yearly termite inspection.
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