Pests are more than a nuisance to your personal peace and comfort. Many cause damages to homes that eat away at your home’s value. Worst of all, pest damage is often not covered by home insurance.
Damage caused by many pests is not always obvious. For this reason, pests are often allowed to roam untreated. By the time a homeowner notices the damage, it’s a lot more expensive to fix.
Learn about the hazards caused by Memphis’ most common pests so you can make the best decision for your property. Catch problems early to prevent unwanted pest damage from occurring.
Rodents Chew Electrical Wires (and Anything Within Their Reach)
Mice and rats breed rapidly and live in hard-to-reach places – inside walls, in attics, etc. They carry diseases, but their primary threat to homes is through their chewing abilities. They have large front and cheek teeth which make them adept at chewing through almost anything.
They can damage insulation, destroy wires, and create small holes all over your house. Chewed-up wires can even start a fire.
Ants Destroy Utilities and Wood
Memphis is home to both fire and carpenter ants. Fire ants are aggressive critters with a stinging bite. They damage the exterior of homes including transformer boxes, air conditioning units, and other electrical switches.
These omnivorous insects live in large colonies outside. If their mounds aren’t thoroughly destroyed, they can rebuild and repopulate.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. However, they destroy it in the process of building their homes. The trick is to find and destroy the ant’s nest thoroughly.
Termites Feast on the Wood in Your Home
You probably already know termites eat wood, but do you know about the eastern subterranean termites which are the most common termites in Tennessee? They build huge colonies that can consume up to a pound of wood each day!
They aren’t easy to spot or hear, so they can work for a while before being noticed. Left untreated, they can do thousands of dollars in damage to a home. If you’re looking to sell to prospective buyers make sure you can show you’ve done due diligence in controlling for termites — or the sale may not go through.
Bed Bugs Scare Away Buyers
Bed bugs are a nuisance because they bite and feed on blood. They’re a threat to your home’s equity because they’re hard to remove and may scare away potential buyers. If you’ve ever had an issue with bed bugs, you need to guarantee you’ve eradicated the problem before selling your home.
Bed bugs are hard to eliminate because they can live for a year without food and make their home in tiny places. You’ll find them behind baseboards, in the crevices of a mattress, on luggage, and in picture frames. They build a home wherever they find protection.
If you suspect you have bed bugs, address the issue quickly and thoroughly. A professional will have the equipment and experience to deal with bed bugs effectively.
Worried about pests affecting your home? Call Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control to keep your home pest-free*. Contact us today to discuss your concerns.
