It’s bad enough that pests periodically inhabit your home. They are unsightly nuisances that no one wants to live with. However, there are unfortunately even more important reasons to swiftly and effectively deal with pest infestations.
Pests of all kinds wreak all kinds of havoc on manmade structures and natural wood unlike – costing almost incalculable amounts of money and time. In fact, scientists recently determined that invasive forest insects cost the United States over $4 billion annually, and that isn’t even taking into account all of the species that specifically invade home and business structures.
Even common pests, such as beetles or rodents, can do a significant amount of damage in very little time in your home. It’s important that you understand some of the issues that pests can cause so that you know what to look for and can safely and effectively remedy any issues. If you suspect that you have an infestation, take immediate action to prevent further damage.
1. Structural Damage
Structural damage is obviously one of the most significant concerns. Of that type of damage, wood is one of the primary losses in a home, and unfortunately, is one of the main building materials used in homes. Pests including termites, beetles, borers, ants, and carpenter bees all feed on or burrow into wood. If a wood-boring pest eats through the wood in any part of your home, it can damage the structural integrity and make it ineffective.
Although it can take time for these pests to dramatically damage your home, even minor damage can be very dangerous. Damage to your home’s foundation can be expensive to repair and drastically affect the resale value of your home.
2. Electrical Damage
One of the unique qualities of rodents is that their teeth never stop growing, which means they constantly need something relatively soft to chew on. If you notice tiny bite marks on a variety of household items – carpet, furniture, wood, fabric, and plastic – it’s likely that you have a rodent issue.
Unfortunately, rats and mice love chewing on wires almost more than anything else. The shape, length, and flexibility of a power cord make cables a perfect tool for teething. The repeated biting and gnawing on these cords and wires wears them down, much in the same way biting a pencil leaves dents or marks on it. So if a rodent keeps coming back long enough, it may expose internal wiring of a cord and create a major fire hazard.
Surprisingly enough, fire ants can also have a significant negative impact on sensitive electrical equipment. If you see a mound forming in the insulation in your attic or elsewhere, it may be time to take measures for proper fire ant control as well.
3. Fabric Damage
While the fact that adult moths don’t eat clothes may sound reassuring, the reality is that they do lay eggs in clothes. And then the hatched babies eat the fabric of your clothes. Moth larvae feed on fabric from birth to maturity, doing significant damage and leaving a number of holes behind in the process. Moths are pests that are well-known for feeding on clothes, but they’ll eat fabric, fur, hair, carpet, and even décor.
Moths are not the only fabric-feeders, though. Silverfish and carpet beetles can do significant damage to floor covering as well as clothing. Even minor fabric damage can ruin more expensive or hard-to-replace items quickly, so don’t wait to remedy a moth or other fabric-feeder issue. Avoiding the use of steam carpet cleaners can help to minimize mildew and gunky residues that may attract these pests to your carpets.
4. Furniture Damage
That’s right. Pests really don’t leave anything untouched. Beetles, rodents, spiders, moths, and pretty much any other pests can damage or even reside in furniture. Many pests prefer dark, enclosed areas to hide, sleep, and eat. Large furniture, particularly sofas and armchairs, are attractive unwelcomed pests.
Pests won’t just be content to find a comfy hiding space in your sofa, though. They’ll also use it as a food source, ripping it and carving out holes in it. Pests can effectively ruin wood, fabric, and even plastic furniture.
Proactive maintenance is more effective than having to undergo a huge repair, so start practicing prevention tactics now. And if you think you may have an infestation, call an exterminator as soon as possible. A professional will make sure to get the pests out and ensure they won’t come back.
