How to Best Protect Your Home Against Pest Infestation

Maybe having pests in your home seems like a slight nuisance, but it is so much more. When they inhabit your crawl space, they can damage your insulation, leave droppings everywhere, contaminate the air you breathe, and even compromise your home’s stability. Once they are in your foundation, it is only a matter of time until pests find their way to your living area. When they finally manage to enter your home, they will continue to destroy your belongings and cause further problems.  

Unfortunately, pest infestation is not the type of problem that will go away on its own. Instead, it will only get worse as time goes by. Rodents are known for their ability to quickly multiply, so before you know it, you will have hundreds of mice or rats in your crawl space or basement. Dealing with a pest infestation can be pricey. Getting rid of them and repairing the damage gets more expensive as time goes by. In addition, such a problem can significantly lower your home’s market value. After all, no one wants to buy a house infested with mice or rats. Even if someone is willing to buy your home, they might not sign the papers until you have solved this problem. Even then, you might not get your asking price.  

A pest infestation can also affect your health. First, pests are attracted to such conditions that often present a health hazard for humans. Second, rodents and their droppings can transmit numerous diseases to people, such as Hantavirus, hemorrhagic fever, meningitis, Lassa fever, salmonella, rat-bite fever, and leptospirosis.  

Types of Pests  

Don’t be surprised if you find rats, mice, and squirrels in your Indianapolis, IN, home. These animals are known for inhabiting crawl spaces. Other creatures that often infest homes are possums, skunks, and snakes, as well as various insects such as dust mites, cockroaches, bed bugs, termites, flies, gnats, and ants. Any of them can present a potential health hazard.  

What Attracts Pests to Crawl Spaces?  

Pests are usually attracted to moist and dark places, so if your crawl space has increased humidity levels, it creates a perfect environment for these creatures to live in. Crawl spaces are also often full of debris, rocks, and other things that can be used as perfect hideouts. Also, they contain lots of wooden beams that are a favorite food of various pests.  

Creating a Crawl Space That’s Inhospitable to Pests 

Invest in Professional Pesticides and Traps  

One of the most effective ways to get rid of pests is to use pesticides. Professional exterminators can and should handle this task, as it can be dangerous for homeowners. Similarly, mouse traps and other traps also can help get the job done. There are several types of mouse traps, such as snap traps, glue traps, electronic traps, and humane traps. A professional exterminator can use them to get rid of unwanted guests.  

Consider Encapsulation   

Regardless of whether you are worried about a potential pest problem, you should consider encapsulating your crawl space. A vapor barrier can not only make it more difficult for pests to get inside, but it can also keep moisture levels in your crawl space under control, therefore preventing mold growth, mildew, and rot. Encapsulation usually involves four steps. However, this is not always the case. Foundation experts can inspect your home and determine whether your crawl space needs full encapsulation. Such encapsulation includes a sump pump installation, installation of a vapor barrier, sealing the vents, and installing a dehumidifier.  

Sealing Openings  

Rodents, snakes, and other creatures can squeeze into your home through even the tiniest openings.  Your local foundation expert can seal the vents in your crawl space and check your walls for cracks while making sure there are no gaps around your doors and windows.  

Get a Dehumidifier   

If you live in a particularly humid area, encapsulation on its own won’t manage to keep moisture levels under control. You may also need a dehumidifier that will regulate the moisture content. Contact your local crawl space repair expert and see what they recommend. Keep in mind that store-bought dehumidifiers are much weaker than professional ones, and they won’t be able to keep the moisture level in the entire crawl space in the range of 45% to 50%. When you dry out your crawl space, you will make it less hospitable to rats, mice, and other pests that are drawn to more humid places.  

Keep Your Crawl Space Food-Free  

It might be tempting to use your crawl space for food storage, especially if there is not enough room in your pantry. However, this is never a good idea since your bags of flour, sugar, or grains can easily attract hungry pests. These creatures won’t just devour your supplies, but they will make themselves at home and use your crawl space as a breeding ground. Therefore, make sure you keep any kind of food away from your crawl space.  

Are you interested in encapsulating your crawl space? Do you maybe wish to repair the damage pests have caused down there? Whatever the case, we are here to help.   

Contact crawl space repair specialists at Indiana Foundation Service and schedule a free inspection and quote. Our expert will inspect your home and recommend solutions that fit your needs and budget.  

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.