We all know rodents, insects and other pests can damage your home and cause illness to you and your family. Here are some helpful tips to make it difficult for them to find their way in.
Mice and rats are usually in search of food and water and can find a way into your home through any opening. Once inside, they can chew on wires, eat through food packaging and crawl into heating equipment. They can also spread diseases such as Lyme disease, salmonella or hantavirus. To keep them out, fill any siding or foundation holes &fract14; inch or larger with mortar or copper wool. Cover dryer vents with a tightly woven metal mesh like hardware cloth, and keep garbage cans tightly covered and away from the house. If you must set traps with poison, be sure to keep them clear of children and pets. If you have a severe infestation, call a reputable exterminator.
Squirrels and birds can get into your attic and build nests that can block flues and vents causing a dangerous fire hazard. They can also damage insulation and spread disease. Even bats can get up under the eaves of your house and down the chimney. To prevent this, be sure to trim any tree branches that act as roadways for these critters. Install a chimney cap with a grill and cover vents with hardware cloth. Be sure to clean your eaves regularly and clean out any bird nests. If you run into a problem with squirrels, you should contact a licensed professional because they can put up a fight. With regards to bats, they are a protected species in most of the country, so a licensed control specialist should be called to drive them away humanely.
Termites are the number one pest in the country and it is estimated that they cost $5 billion worth of damage annually. The common subterranean termite eats anything made of cellulose (wood, paper & fabric) and a colony of Formosan termites can eat through an entire floor in two years. To help prevent termites, never store firewood against the house. Most termites and carpenter ants prefer damp wood so keep the framing dry. Keep your gutters clean and make sure that downspouts point away from the foundation. Drywood termites in the Southwest and Gulf Coast, don't eat wet wood so the only way to protect your home is to build with pressure-treated wood or lumber treated with borates, which are minerals with low toxicity. Whatever termite problem you may have, always call a licensed professional to inspect and evaluate the problem. They may inject the wood with borates, fumigate the house, or apply insecticides.
Keeping your home yours alone takes a little effort, but it's well worth it! As always, if you need help or advice, just respond to this blog.
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