What to Do About Pests in the Home

What  Homeowners Can Do About PestsMany homeowners, as a part of owning a home, will—at some point or another—be required to deal with the presence of pests. Homeowners should be aware that a pest infestation can lead to home damage and exacerbate existing health conditions. Know the signs of a potential pest problem and take steps to address issues as quickly as possible. What are the options for homeowners who may uncover a pest infestation?

Termites and Home Damage

Termites can do substantial damage to a home as they consume wood in support beams and other wooden structures. A home and wooden products within it can easily contain and feed generations of termites, and the danger may be present before homeowners ever move in, as basic home inspections do not cover termites. Homeowners may see particles that look like sawdust but is actually termite excrement. Wings of termites may also be observable. A homeowner may find that when they knock on wood, it sounds hollow. This can be indicative of a termite problem. It may be useful to contact an exterminator to effectively address a serious termite infestation.

Cockroaches and Health Concerns

Many people who find cockroaches in their home, find their new unwanted visitor is the German cockroach. This cockroach resides near moisture and food. Homeowners may unwittingly introduce such a pest into a home as they can hide inside grocery bags, boxes and secondhand appliances. A serious issue related to these pests is they can potentially contaminate food, spread bacteria and trigger allergy flare-ups. Signs of cockroaches may be found under appliances and sinks in kitchens and bathrooms. Clean crumbs from surfaces, wash floors and counters, vacuum often and regularly dispose of any garbage.

Rodents and Fire Hazards

A house mouse is a common rodent to reside in homes. They may choose to nest in attic spaces and in the basement. Norway rats are also large pests that can become an unwanted intruder. Rodents need to chew and will gnaw through drywall, on electrical wires and more. Electrical issues such as damaged wiring can pose a fire hazard. Holes in and around a property or in walls may indicate the presence of such rodents. Humans may be exposed to salmonella and tapeworms from a house mouse and other diseases from Norway rats.

Homeowners can take steps to prevent such animals from getting into a home by eliminating clutter, keeping boxes off of the floor and sealing cracks and holes on a home's exterior with caulk and steel wool. Eliminate moisture sources that may exist in crawl spaces and basements and be on the lookout for animal droppings and gnaw marks.

Household Pests in Canada

These are only a start of the range of household pests that can be found in homes in Canada. Ants, bedbugs, blacklegged (deer) ticks, bats and other organisms can easily invade a home. Attics, basements, kitchens and bathrooms may be areas where evidence of pests are observable to a homeowner. Homeowners may want to be mindful of signs including:

  • Musty and unusual smells;
  • Pest droppings;
  • Grease or track marks related to mice or rat movement;
  • A number of dead bugs which are the of the same species; and
  • Shredded paper or materials used for nesting.

If a homeowner should see unusual holes, track marks or smell musty odors, this may indicate a pest issue. Homeowners who uncover insect and pests issues may also find related home damage or an exacerbation in health symptoms related to specific conditions, such as allergy flare-ups. There are many products and pesticides that may be used to eliminate a pest infestation in a Bent Tree home. Contact a professional exterminator to correctly identify pests and help find a suitable solution.

Dylan Snyder is a seasoned real estate professional serving the Jupiter real estate market, Palm Beach real estate market, Palm Beach Gardens real estate market, North Palm Beach real estate market, and the surrouding Palm Beach County area. Along with being a top producer in Jupiter real estate, Dylan's professionalism and expertise in luxury and waterfront real estate sets him and his team of real estate experts apart from the competition. For more information on Jupiter and Palm Beach real estate for sale, contact Dylan at (561) 951-9301.

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