Pest Removal

Pest and rodents love crawl spaces. That dark, damp, and dirty space underneath a house may be the equivalent of a spa resort for critters like rats, and bugs like termites and spiders. And, man, can they wreak havoc on a home. Not only can pests damage a crawl space, but they can use existing holes for wires, pipes, and ducts to get into the rest of your home as well. No one wants mice scurrying around their floors or in their walls. If you suspect pests of being in your crawl space, then professionals offer pest removal services to take care of the problem.

What is Pest Removal?

Pest removal refers to removing pests from a building. Who would have thought, right? The services don’t stop there, though. Once the pest is identified and the extent of its infestation is assessed, it will be removed by whatever means the crawl space specialist deems appropriate. Then, the crawl space can be inspected for damage caused by the pest. After that, steps will be taken to keep other pests out of the crawl space in the future. This is known as exclusion work, and it is a very important part of a complete pest removal process and overall home health.

Removing pests from your crawl space is good. It needs to be done. Crawl space pest removal can be dirty, smelly, and creepy work, so you might want to hire professionals who have the training and experience to expertly deal with your problem. A variety of methods may be used to remove pests. Temporary one-way entries can be placed over holes to allow hungry rodents to exit but not return. Cages and other traps can be baited and placed in the crawl space. Whichever method is chosen, it is important that follow-up tasks are performed quickly.

Cleanup after a pest infestation can include anything from replacing wiring to removing feces. Rodents can chew into wood and wiring, and burrow into insulation. Soiled insulation ripped full of holes is ruined and must be removed. Ripped sections of ground cover (the vapor barrier) will need to be removed and replaced as well.

Exclusion work is replacing chewed vent screens and wooden doors, and checking around the foundation and crawl space walls for any signs of damage. Existing barriers can be strengthened, and new barriers can be installed to deter pests. Of course, deterring a large rodent is different from deterring a small bug.

Rodents and Other Large Pests

Exclusion is the best deterrent for large pests. If rats have a history of chewing through your thin vent screens, then thicker metal can be installed. Similarly, if a wooden crawl space door consistently creates problems, then maybe it should be replaced with a door plated in aluminum siding or another hard material.

Some rodents will even burrow in from underground. Moles dig underground, and they can bypass exterior walls by tunneling in if the crawl space ground is just dirt and a vapor barrier. In areas with a lot of mole and ground squirrel activity, laying a concrete floor or pouring a concrete wall into the ground are options. By digging a trench near the foundation and pouring concrete, any rodents burrowing horizontally at that depth will be blocked and unable to continue into the crawl space.

Termites and Other Small Pests

Controlling the environment is the best deterrent for small pests. Bugs like cover, so dead leaves and a lot of shrubs around a home’s foundation and crawl space vents may bring pests around. More importantly, though, bugs tend to like moisture and high humidity. Therefore, a dry crawl space is unwelcoming to them.

A dry crawl space can be created by having a properly installed vapor barrier along with proper ventilation in the crawl space. Ventilation can be open vents or electric vents that open and close depending on temperatures. The entire space can also be encapsulated and conditioned. Encapsulation is a high-end service, but it provides a homeowner with the most control over the crawl space environment. In an encapsulated home, the crawl space may be conditioned, or only humidity may be controlled with a dehumidifier.

Whichever route is taken, the principles are the same: a clean environment and low humidity are good deterrents for small pests.

You can contact us today and schedule an inspection of your crawl space. Have a professional look for signs of pest infestations and damage, and he can also evaluate your home for exclusion work. An inspection is hassle free, and it can save a lot of grief in the future.