Damage Pest Infestations Can Do to Homes

There are a variety of pests that can get into your home, including ants, termites, spiders, mice, rats, ticks, bed bugs and many others. Regardless of the type of pest you’re dealing with, an infestation can pose health risks to you and your family and can also damage your house itself if they aren’t taken care of as soon as possible. If you feel that you may have a pest problem, the experts at Excel Pest Services can diagnose the problem and practice safe pest control on your home.

Signs of a pest problem include visible pests, feces, grease marks on the walls and floors and strange sounds or odors in your house. You might also see larva or eggs. No matter what signs are present, it’s vital to have the pests removed right away to prevent the following types of damage throughout your house.

Damage to Electrical Wiring

Mice and rats are usually the culprits when it comes to damage that affects your electrical wiring. They tend to gnaw or chew through wires inside the walls of your house, as well as those that lead to your appliances. These exposed wires pose a fire risk in your house and should be repaired as soon as possible. If you have a mice or rat problem, you will likely know because you’ll see them and their feces in your house. Cockroaches are another pest that can damage electrical wiring, so if you see more than one, have an expert check for an infestation.

Broken Walls and Beams

Many kinds of pests can cause structural damage to your house and bees are one of the worst when it comes to the framing of your house. A bee colony that sets up shop inside your walls can quickly build a honeycomb that weighs enough that it breaks beams inside the walls and can even break through the walls themselves.

Damage to Carpet and Upholstery

Certain kinds of beetles and some other pests, including moths, like to lay their eggs in carpet or upholstery. While this won’t alter the structural integrity of your home, it can certainly lead to extensive damage on your floors and furniture. An infestation can completely ruin your carpets and upholstery so removal of such pests is important. Cockroaches also feed on upholstery, curtains and wallpaper so if you see any kind of damage to those items, you might have an infestation.

Wood Damage

There are several pests that eat or bore through wood, leaving behind holes and weak spots that can put your home’s structure at risk. Some beetles will eat round holes in wood throughout your home, especially in unfinished wood. Termites can cause extensive wood damage in various parts of your house that makes the entire structure unstable and dangerous. You can sometimes see this damage before it becomes a problem but might not so call the pest control experts if you suspect an infestation so the issue can be resolved before it becomes scary.

Damage to Walls and Ceilings

Other pests, wasps in particular, can cause damage to walls and ceilings. They hibernate through the winter months and they often do so in cracks or crevices on the outside of your house. Some wasps will make their winter nest in attics. In some cases, their nests can be large enough to put pressure on your walls and ceilings, causing damage to those areas. Some types of wasps also bore into wood, causing further damage to these places. With this in mind, reaching out to a team of pest control specialists in your area as soon as you notice a swarm of wasps is strongly recommended. Accordingly, you can learn more about how to tackle a wasp infestation by checking out some of the helpful resources on the Pest Control Experts website here: https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/exterminator/texas/

Damage to Fabrics

Moths are the worst culprit when it comes to damage to your clothes, curtains, blankets, coats and other natural fibers. They feed on these fabrics, with a preference for cashmere, silk and wool. You might find the holes in these fabrics before you see the moths because they tend to only come out at night, but they’re a good indication that you have an infestation and need a professional to help.

Ruined Mattresses and Furniture

Several kinds of pests were mentioned above in regards to damage to upholstery. However, a completely ruined mattress or piece of furniture can likely be blamed on bed bugs. While they won’t destroy the item completely, once they’ve infested it, it can be very difficult to get rid of since they can hide on springs, frames and other hard to reach parts of the furniture or mattress. A bed bug infestation can also lead to bites and health problems so getting some help to take care of the problem is vital.

A pest infestation is a hassle and can be inconvenient and unsettling. However, taking care of it immediately is important. Not only can pests cause damage to your home, but some of them pose serious health risks, including the Hantavirus, salmonella, and other scary and potentially deadly diseases. Getting a professional on your side is the first step.

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