If your home has a crawl space, chances are you’ve never really thought about it much. Besides just trying to keep it closed, what else can you do to manage or maintain it? Overall, is there any reason you should? The short answer is yes, absolutely. If you’ve never been in your crawl space or paid any attention to it, odds are that you may have something living or growing inside, or both. One of the main reasons you should hire a professional to check out your crawl space is pests.
Pests love to take residence in crawl spaces since they are ideal nesting areas and provide shelter from the elements. Today we’ll talk about potential invaders you may have, and how best to take care of them.
Rats
Rats are a major health and safety hazard for most people, and crawl spaces are a natural breeding ground for them to get into your home. Rats love to make nests out of all kinds of material and usually crawl spaces are loaded with debris and dirt that can make a lovely rodent home. Once they’ve set up shop in your crawl space, rats will then try to enter your house to get into your cupboards and pantry in search of food. Beyond the obvious danger of having rats in your home, they can leave disease and pave the way for other pests, such as bugs or even mold.
Raccoons
Another animal that loves to dwell in your crawl space is the lowly raccoon. These critters are always in search of a warm, dry area to raise a family, and nothing is quite as inviting as a crawl space. From their home under your house, raccoons can start to cause problems by chewing on ducts and pipes, and going through your garbage.
Insects
Ants and cockroaches are two prime examples of insect invaders that love to call your crawl space home. Termites are another big problem, as they can weaken your floorboards and have easy access to the rest of your home. Like with rats, these bugs can set up shop in the crawl space and then move into your living areas, spreading disease and destruction by eating your food and ruining your insulation.
Get Rid of Pests
If you’re worried about your crawl space being home to pests, the best way to be sure is to check. If crawling under your house doesn’t appeal to you, you can get a professional to come and do an inspection. In addition to pests, you may have water leakage or mold, so it’s always a good idea to get an inspection regardless. If you do have a colony of rats, ants, or other critters, call a professional pest removal service to come and clean out your crawl space. Many service providers will also take steps to ensure that future infestations won’t happen.
