You have to admit one thing. Pests are resilient. Every species has built-in survival instincts. Well, except moths at night who are attracted by fire. Other than that, we can all marvel at these species’ willpower and craftiness to stay alive.
Of course, if those two things are not at our expense. And if they are, or when we want not to be on the receiving end of their struggle for survival, we have to protect what’s ours.
Yes, that includes what’s in your bank account as well. For such pests can make a big hole in your home, and thus, in your wallet, which will, in turn, leave you with a big hole in your heart as you pay your hard-earned money for costly repairs.
Let’s review which pests pose the most danger below.
Termites
Termites need to be terminated, and not by Arnold’s cult character, but by a professional pest control specialist. The termite, a more close relative to the cockroach, not the ant, mind you, is one stealthy and hungry little creature.
It could do plenty of damage before you even become aware of its existence on the premises. That’s what makes termite infestation so dangerous.
Termites feed on cellulose, which is found mainly in wood (and also, paper). That’s why homes with wooden components are particularly vulnerable to these hungry creatures. Sagging floors and warped walls are just some of the examples of structural damage here. And, repairing either will be costly, which is why protecting yourself is so important in the first place.
This can be done with regular inspections. Treatments are the other option, but they must be administered by professional pest control. If you’ve already suffered from termite damage, it’s recommended that you go for termite-resistant building materials. Moisture control and sufficient ventilation are also important to prevent termites.
Rodents
Opportunistic master infiltrators, who are also quite resilient. As you’re probably aware, all rodents have strong, constantly-growing teeth. This is why they feel the intense urge to chew on things.
In your case, that can be wood, plastic, and even your electrical wiring. The last thing is quite dangerous, as it can lead to fires. Yes, at least 23% of all such accidents in the UK are caused either by rats or mice chewing through the insulation and exposing the electrical wire.
Furthermore, they can enter your property through even the smallest of cracks. Yes, they gnaw and widen the holes through which they enter. That means fixing that and repairing all structural damage in walls and floors.
Lastly, all rodents are a major health hazard. They will spread diseases and create unsanitary living conditions, which is especially dangerous to small kids and the elderly. Moreover, they will contaminate all your food, which is why it’s best to keep things in tightly sealed metal boxes, or, you know, your fridge. Your pantry is one of their main zones of interest, so keep a close watch.
All these reasons are why regular mouse control is so important. When dealing with them, DIY methods like baits and traps often don’t stop the infestation. Finding and sealing the entry points is what’s important. Locating all pests quickly and removing them before they can reproduce is also vital. Ultimately, those things are best left to a reliable pest control crew.
Carpenter Ants
Much like your beloved termites, these bugs cause structural damage to your home. However, they do so in slightly different ways. As they do not eat wood but instead excavate galleries to create their nests, the carpenter ants compromise the structural integrity of all affected wood elements.
Much like termites, weakened support beams will lead to sagging floors and, in some cases, their collapse due to structural instability. As you guessed it, repairs are quite costly. That’s because the damaged wood needs to be completely replaced.
To prevent carpenter ants, you will first need to address things that make your home attractive to them. Leaks and excess humidity are your first target. Next, you’ll need to get rid of decaying wood or debris from around the house.
Lastly, are the regular inspections. Visible signs like sawdust piles or rustling sounds in the walls, should be a cause of alarm. It’s best to call local qualified professionals for an inspection and discuss treatments.
Cockroaches
One of the most resilient insects on the planet, who were there long before mammals. Naturally, they’re survivalists and can thrive in the most harsh environments. Except for the poles, of course.
They can (and they will) cause damage and contaminate your home, spreading diseases, which makes them quite dangerous to you and your family. Cockroaches can chew through packaging and paper with ease.
Sometimes they’ll make a feast of your wallpaper or even your book collection. That is if you haven’t left any food sources for them in the open. If you have a cockroach infestation, it’s best to throw any food that’s been in the open, especially if you’ve let it sit overnight.
Preventing cockroaches is difficult but not impossible. Firstly, you need to locate their entry point and then seal it away. If the cockroaches have spread in your home, their female might have laid eggs, which will complicate things significantly. DIY methods here are not recommended, as cockroaches procreate like crazy, and they can infect you with the many diseases they spread.
Do the safe thing and call professionals to deal with them. In the meantime, clean your entire home thoroughly and follow good sanitation practices. You may use baits and traps, even store-bought insecticides, to control cockroaches, so long as you know that you need to address the main issues to resolve the infestation.
A reliable pest control company will inspect your home and ensure adequate treatment. They’ll locate the main entry points. They’ll also apply chemical treatments in the right places and will be thorough when cleaning in order to collect any cockroach eggs the females might have laid.
That’s especially important to prevent re-infestation.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Some of the worst home-damaging pests out there. To avoid costly repairs and draining your bank account of your hard-earned money, better have a sound plan to protect what’s yours.
Of course, those are just a few of the pests who are looking to make your home theirs. And at your expense, too, both figuratively and literally. Naturally, you need a good defence to prevent them from doing so.
Your best bet is a mix of DIY preventative solutions and regular pest inspections. By being vigilant, you will not only protect your home and your money, but also your and your family’s health. And, that’s priceless.
We wish you a safe and pest-free home, and plenty of luck in avoiding encounters with the above-mentioned damaging pests!
