Deducing the Damage – What to Do When You Have a Mystery Infestation

There are lots of positives about owning a home. For one, you’re not wasting dead money on rent. You’re also investing in an asset that will likely increase in value with time. Plus, you’ve got a space to call your own and put your own stamp on. Yet home ownership comes with its challenges too. There’s maintenance and renovations to consider, as well as council rates and mortgages. But what happens when the creepy crawlies come a knocking?  How do you handle signs that you may have an infestation?

If you suspect that you may have an infestation of some type of pest, but aren’t sure what to do, then this article is for you. Read on to know exactly what to do if you have a mystery infestation
 

Call in the Professionals

A professional pest control company is your first port of call. They are highly skilled and trained at detecting infestations of mice, rats, cockroaches, spiders, termites, white ants and just about every bug, vermin or pest that you can think of. Often they charge a call out fee, but this is often waived if an infestation is discovered. From there, they’ll perform a slew of professional treatment methods that should clear out the pests.
Some companies even offer a guarantee that if the bugs or vermin come back, they’ll come back too – and for free. So, when you’re getting quotes and investigating your options make sure to check about the guarantees on offer.

Reduce the Risk

There are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of further infestation in the future. First of all, we need to talk about food scraps. Food scraps are a goldmine for all sorts of pests. After all, they’ve got to eat too. Just don’t make their lives any easier by leaving scraps of food out in your kitchen. Clean as you go while you cook and clear the table and do the dishes after you’ve finished eating.
How you store your food matters too. For example, pantry moths love packets of unopened grains and cereal. Invest in some decent Tupperware to seal up those packets of cereal and the like and don’t create any extra temptation for the yucky things that just love to feast on and nest in your food.

If Rats or Mice are the Culprits

If rodents are at the bottom of your infestation sleuthing then there’s one thing that you absolutely must do – call an electrician in. Rodents love to live in your roof and walls, and they love to sharpen their teeth on whatever’s available, which in most cases is your wiring. Damaged wiring can be a fire hazard and can be potentially deadly so get in a qualified sparky to fully inspect all your wiring. If may cost a bit up front but imagine losing your house, or your life, in a house fire.
If there is damage to the wiring that requires an extensive and expensive repair job then check your insurance policy. Some companies will cover you for pest damage.

To Wrap it All Up

There you have it – the steps to take when you have an mystery infestation of creepy crawlies. First of all, identify the culprits responsible using a professional pest control company. Take some protective measures around the house like clearing away food scraps and keeping food stored in airtight containers. If you find out that your infestation is rodent related then get an electrician in to fully inspect your wiring so you don’t run the risk of a fire. And rest easy knowing that your hose is vermin-free.
 
How do you deal with pest infestations?
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