Storms are more potent and less forgiving these days. Storm damage creates an easy entry into your home for pests and nuisance wildlife. Downed trees and power lines litter our streets and neighborhoods. The storm damage to homes is not always visible yet present. Take the time to look around your home for damage before the Northeast weather turns to ice and snow.
It is what you don’t see that hurts you.
It doesn’t take much to create an opening for pests and nuisance wildlife. Tree limbs are notorious for tearing roof shingles and breaking attic windows and screens as they fall from the tree to the ground. These tears, while often very small, create structural openings for pests and nuisance wildlife:
- carpenter ants
- termites
- mice
- cluster flies
- bats
- birds
- squirrels & chipmunks
- raccoons
- bees
Most homeowners do not look at their home’s structure beyond what they can see from the ground. At first glance, after a storm, you may look at your windows from the inside, check for damage to property left outdoors, and perhaps inspect your garage doors to ensure no water has seeped inside. The real culprit for pest and wildlife entry happens on and along the roof. Air vents and pipes can be torn away, leaving a gap for access. Roof tiles, especially near the pitch, can become lifted and damaged.
Now is the time to be diligent. Listen for the pitter-patter of feet above your head while in bed at night. Be mindful of the draft from a loose screen or door. It is an excellent time to schedule an inspection.
Common pests and nuisance wildlife entry points
What is a pest control inspection?
Pest and nuisance wildlife inspections should always be done by a licensed professional. The purpose of the inspection is to determine damage to the home or building from destructive pests and wildlife such as carpenter ants, termites, mice, or damages caused by hidden mold.
Professional pest control technicians are trained and outfitted to perform comprehensive inspections from the basement to attic and crawlspace to roof. Inspections require more than what the eye can see.
Our team will evaluate your home’s structure and locate areas where pests and nuisance wildlife have gained entry. A complete evaluation is performed and reviewed with the homeowner, and a course of action is determined.
We will not just temporarily fix the problem. Once any damage has been repaired, we turn to repair (or replacing) external structural damage to soffits, gutters, siding, roofing, and interior damage to the insulation and drywall.
Oh…. and we can trim any tree branches that are hanging over or touching your home!
Timeliness is key. These open or leaking spaces in your roof, windows, or doors allow for water to enter, and if undetected, mold will soon be present.
Clean your house gutters! Cluster flies love to nest here!
Mold starts with a small undetected leak
We would venture to guess that 50% of homeowners do not know they have mold until it becomes a problem. Basements even finished basements can harbor mold in areas that are unoccupied or closed off.
Attics fall prey to small leaks that go undetected. Modern homes are rarely built with full access attics. Many have a drop-down or hatch for entry, and the homeowner rarely goes up there. It is not until the homeowner finds a watermark on a bedroom ceiling that they investigate. Never dismiss water pooling on a ceiling. There is a water source, and a full inspection is necessary to ensure you contain the leak, repair the source, and eradicate any mold that may have formed.
Attics also harbor many pests and nuisance wildlife unwanted tenants. Should your attic be severely damaged by pests and wildlife and need repair, our expert team will evaluate the damage and quote you the costs of repairing your home and securing it to ensure the trespassers do not return. Treating them and removing them is one thing. Eradicating them solves the problem. Repairs are not always necessary, but the inspection will uncover any issues resulting from storm damage and wildlife entry.
Attic mold remediation
Be vigilant after storms
Please take note of your surroundings and look for storm damage. If you need a set of ‘eyes in the sky,’ we have the necessary equipment to access your roof and inspect for damage and pest and wildlife entry. Please do not attempt to inspect your roof on your own unless you have the proper safety equipment to do so. In 2017, it was estimated that 34% of all falls happened at residential homes. Let us help!
Contact us for home inspections and tree limb removal
We are here for you and your business. Please, reach out if you have any questions or if you need someone to come out and inspect your home and property.
Remain vigilant and safe,
The Team at Accurate Pest Control.
