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Home Inspection Safari

By
Home Inspector with JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC HOI 394

Inspecting a home can at times seem like being on an African safari discovering all manner of wild and untamed creatures. I was stumbling through a cluttered attic looking for the elusive water stain, when suddenly I heard a noise that made my blood run cold. A rustling that can only mean an attic creature I would not likely enjoy meeting. I have no good escape route because of clutter. My only choice is to sit tight and meet my fears head on.

From around a large cardboard box appears an animal of diminutive proportions, but none the less a terrifying creature. It tentatively skitters toward me coming within a few feet and lays down looking up at me with soft pleading eyes. It wants to be petted! Surely it's a trap, this animal is laying in wait to spring and rip my carotid artery from my neck.

Yet something tells me its okay. I advance slowly toward the beast talking to it in a soothing voice. It looks back at me with those pink luminescent eyes. I reach out my slightly trembling hand and touch the critter. It approves and I begin stroking its' soft coat.

You can see the beast here in this photo I snapped after petting this dangerous creature. I backed out the of attic and left the beast to do what ever it is ferrets do.

You just never know what you manner of creature you may find during a home inspection. This time things turned out all right, but you never know what may be laying in wait around the next cardboard box.

 

James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

Posted by

James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
Former SNEC-ASHI President
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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Comments (11)

Rebecca Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

How could it have gotten up there?  I've heard of hampsters eating thru the wall and escaping into the wall.

Jul 09, 2008 02:17 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

James, glad to see you were able to ferret out the problem:)  Watch out you may become known as the "Ferret-whisperer"----like that squirrel whisperer in Bellingham

Jul 09, 2008 02:26 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

James,

Over the years I have run into a couple ferrets but not at inspections. They were neighborhood escapees that ended up in my backyard, trying to eat my ducks. They are interesting but the ones I have run into are smelly. I assume this was a pet that was loose, or they let him hang in the attic.

Jul 09, 2008 03:43 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

Ferrets are slinky creatures and can go just about anywhere the head can fit.  You were smart to leave as even as good pets they like to bite.

Jul 18, 2008 12:52 PM
Bruce Thomas
A-Z Tech Home Inspections, Inc. - Greensburg, PA

I ran into a Cayman once (cousin of and alligator).  Fortunately he was in a cage but he still tried all he could to get me.  I didn't stay in the room long. 

Nov 14, 2008 04:49 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Bruce,

I have not seen one of those, but have seen a few snakes... all in cages.

Nov 14, 2008 04:52 AM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Mine was a possum hiding beihnd a piece of plywood in the crawl space.

Can you say hasty exit.  Mine was.

Dec 19, 2008 04:40 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Erby, Have never run into any wild animals in a house yet. And I hope not to, ever!

Dec 20, 2008 05:35 AM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

James - although I risk maddening one of our illustrious posters, I venture to say that one of the most fearsome creatures is the squirrel.  I ran into one that let me get to the furthest end of an attic prior to unleashing a strategic attack into my unprotected rear (location not body part).  I literally crawled at warp speed to the exit without looking back.  They can hide in the smallest places and be extremely fierce.

Dec 20, 2008 07:51 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Jack, Those squirrels are a sneaky and fearsome bunch. You're lucky to have escaped unscathed.

Dec 20, 2008 10:18 AM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

I'd tend to agree with the squirrel being the most sneaky and fearLESS.  They just don't stop.

Dec 20, 2008 02:23 PM