Small, crafty and ravenous, pests view your home as a snug hotel that boasts shelter, privacy and an overflowing smorgasbord in easy reach. “We see damage from pests very frequently, much of it inflicted quietly without the homeowner’s knowledge,” says Bob Hillier, Owner, Paul Davis Restoration in Greater Houston, Texas. “Any home offers abundant benefits for pests, so it’s nearly certain that you’ll have a run in with one of these top 10 opportunistic troublemakers from the animal kingdom.”
Termites: Causing over $5 billion in damages yearly in the United States, termites can devastate wood building materials. Have a professional evaluate your risk and control infestations.
Powderpost beetles: Common in southern regions, these pests attack hardwood only and usually strike homes built with infested wood. Replacing the affected wood is often the most effective remedy.
Carpenter Ants: Major pests in the Pacific Northwest, these ants hollow out wood to build nests or occupy already existing building cavities. A pest control specialist can inspect for and address infestations.
Rats and Mice: Prevalent everywhere, these rodent opportunists can spread bacteria, viruses, urine and feces inside your home. Snap traps are the most humane control option and they are easy to retrieve once triggered.
Squirrels: Destructive and found throughout the country, squirrels chew holes in siding and soffits as well as shredding wiring and reproducing in your home. Professional measures are often necessary to repel these wily invaders.
Honeybees: If you hear your wall humming or see a stream of bees exiting your home, call a beekeeper for help locating and removing an infestation. Hives can attract moths, scavengers and rodents.
Ants: More a nuisance than a danger, indoor ants cluster around food and water sources, quickly finding even crumbs and drips. Liquid bait traps are very effective, using a slow acting poison that the ants remove and share with nest mates.
Birds: Harboring fleas, ticks, lice and mites, birds also carry more than 60 transmissible diseases. Exclusion tactics – filling access holes, sealing gaps, spiking ledges – are effective and best deployed by a pest control specialist.
Bedbugs: These wily bloodsuckers lurk in furniture crevices, emerge nocturnally and produce itchy welts on sensitive skin. Professional inspection and treatment is necessary to eradicate these secretive pests.
Cockroaches: Successful eradication requires meticulous cleanup and strategic bait application. Most homeowners find they need professional help to repel cockroaches, which researchers believe cause allergies and asthma in addition to spreading pathogens.
“Here’s another pest many homeowners overlook: bats,” Hillier says. “These tiny mammals are protected so you’ll need professional help relocating a colony. But their guano is a health hazard and they’d much rather live in your attic than a belfry.” And if you need to repair the damage pests cause? Call Paul Davis. You can count on our restoration experts.”
