For those of us who aren’t fans of winter, good news came from Punxsutawney Phil. The famous weatherman did not see his shadow, thus predicting an early spring.
While we wait to see how accurate the trusted groundhog is, a few more weeks of winter still lay ahead of us. For humans, that means bundling up and staying warm indoors. However, humans are not the only ones who don’t like to be out in the cold. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) estimates that each year, winter weather brings 21 million pests indoors to seek warmth.
Why are pests such problems?
Property Damage
The term “pest” can reference a number of animals and insects – from rodents and raccoons to cockroaches and termites. According to the NPMA, termites alone cause more than $5 billion in property damage annually. Additionally, rodents can be the culprits behind house fires because of their notorious habit of chewing through electrical wires. A home fire that’s caused by pests may not be covered by your home insurance policy. The best thing you can do is talk with your insurance agent to find out what your homeowners policy will cover.
Infestations Happen Quickly
Rodents and cockroaches are some of the most common infestations, which can happen before you even notice the first warning signs, such as animal droppings or scratching behind a wall. And where there’s evidence of one rodent, you can be assured there are many more hiding in your home’s crevices.
Mice, for example, are known to reproduce rapidly and can have up to eight litters in a year – each with an average of six babies. In a few weeks, young mice will be able to have litters of their own. If you don’t take the proper steps to rid your home of mice, your home could be teeming with rodents in no time.
Preventing a Pest Infestation
Different pests can require varying actions. To protect your home from an infestation, or keep any issues from getting out of hand, consider implementing the following tips.
Rodents – Seal any cracks or holes you may have on the outside of your home, especially in areas where pipes enter the house. Fill in spaces surrounding pipes and cover any holes with wire mesh. Install door bottoms – also known as door sweeps – to outside doors. Not only will this help prevent rodents from clawing their way in, it will also maintain your home’s temperature by keeping drafty air out. If you keep food outside your home, make sure it’s in an airtight container to prevent rodents from finding a food source and setting up camp in or near your home.
Termites – Termites are attracted to moisture. Check your foundation for moisture and ventilate your crawl spaces to reduce humidity. Pay special attention to areas where wood touches the ground, as this can provide easy access for termites into your home. Use treated lumber for stairs, fence posts and doors. Fix any leaks in your plumbing system and don’t let water accumulate anywhere inside or outside your home.
Cockroaches – Roaches are attracted to food, so kitchens and garbage areas should be closely monitored and cleaned. Don’t let dishes piles up in the sink, and run boiling water through your garbage disposal regularly to kill any cockroaches trying to enter your home through that plumbing system. Ensure any garbage cans you have in your home or in the garage are sealed tightly to prevent roaches from crawling inside for food.
Additional tips – Declutter your home. Having messes laying around your abode provides places for pests to hide and breed. And be sure to seal crevices around cabinets, sinks and baseboards with caulk to provide a barrier that helps prevent pests from getting in.
Always remain vigilant. If you see animal droppings or hear scratching behind walls or in overhead spaces, such as attics, contact a professional to investigate the problem immediately. Setting mice traps or spraying for insects might catch some of the pests in your home, but a professional can give you a better idea of how serious the infestation is and can treat your property to nip the problem in the bud.
Property Maintenance is the Homeowner’s Responsibility
As a homeowner, it falls on you to maintain your home so pests don’t have the opportunity to do damage. Prevention is the best precaution homeowners can take against damage to their property from pests.
When you move into your home – and annually thereafter – have an expert conduct a thorough inspection of your home and the surrounding area. Not all pests are extremely visible, so it’s important to take this step. The expert can determine if you have any pests and develop a treatment plan. If you have cockroaches or ants, for example, treatment may be required bi-monthly. Other pests could require less aggressive treatment regimens. Speak with the professional to learn more about any infestations you may have, and learn ways to treat the issue.
While a homeowners insurance policy can cover certain disasters, damage due to termite and other pest infestations is not covered. Speak with your insurance agent to ensure you’re aware of what disasters your policy does cover.
Erin Phipps writes for SafecoInsurance.com and HomeInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering comparative automobile and home insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeInsurance.com for the most competitive rates from the top-rated insurance carriers in the country. The HomeInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
Comments (0)Subscribe to CommentsComment