How To Keep Pests Out Of Your Crawl Space

Most people don't give much thought to their crawl spaces; however, it serves a vital purpose. It provides ventilation, support, and access to your home's infrastructure, like wiring and plumbing. Still, it is usually not a spot where you want to spend time in your house. Most are dark, drafty, damp, and dirty. They can also be claustrophobic. After all, it's called a crawl space for a reason. Rarely are they tall enough to allow a person to walk erectly within, and sometimes they have as little as two feet of clearance. If you need to go in there, you'll likely have to crawl; and like it or not, you most likely are not alone.

No, we're not talking about ghosts, and we aren't suggesting that you drag your spouse or a buddy down there with you, either. The truth is that they are a hub of activity for bugs and invasive animals. The things that people hate about them are the exact things that pests love. The area is isolated, quiet, and sheltered. It's the perfect place to hide, congregate, breed, and hunt. There is probably a water source and food nearby. Plus, it's access to other enticing sections of your home.

So, what may be lurking in your creepy North Carolina crawl space?

Common North Carolina Bugs and Other Pests

American and German Cockroaches are some of our region's most common bugs. They are equally filthy but have some distinct differences. American cockroaches are usually twice as big and often live part of their lives outside; the crawl space is their first entry point before an infestation throughout the home occurs. On the other hand, Germans live primarily indoors and prefer a warmer spot, so you can bet they'll soon be invading your kitchen and bathroom.

Silverfish are one of the creepiest-looking critters you can expect to encounter down there. They are scavengers that eat practically anything containing proteins and cellulose. They can use your crawl space as a home base as they ransack your home (usually at night while you sleep). They can eat wallpaper, books, clothes, pasta, and more. They also leave unsanitary droppings and contaminants behind.

Termites are one of the most dreaded creatures on this list. Notorious for their nonstop appetite for wood and worldwide destructiveness, the termites frequently turn up in your crawl space before they eat their way into your home's wooden structures.

Ants are another common presence, and some species can rival the destructiveness of the termite, including Carpenter Ants. Ants contaminate our food supplies and spread diseases, including salmonella, staph, and E. coli. Plus, they can be aggressive. Fire ants, for example, have a fierce, painful bite and can be very territorial.

Spiders, meanwhile, might love your crawl space more than any other creature. We have many here: white sac, wolf, hobo, brown recluse, and deadly black widow. They are predators that use your crawl space as their hunting ground, just as they do in your basement, attic, and the other quiet corners of your home.

Rodents are another problem that often begins beneath your feet. Both mice and rats love crawl spaces but keep in mind that they can venture throughout the accessible parts of your home, spreading droppings, parasites, and dangerous diseases as they go.

Of course, this list can go on. You may also find many other creatures in crawl spaces, such as beetles, earwigs, stink bugs, squirrels, and more. However, there are ways to make it far less hospitable, the best of which is a professional service called encapsulation.

How Encapsulation Protects Your Home

Encapsulation involves adding a heavy-duty barrier to the space (often made of polyethylene) to seal it, thus blocking out those invasive pests. But it's not just about creepy crawlies. Crawl space encapsulation has other great benefits, too. It helps prevent excessive moisture, mold, and mildew, thus keeping the air you breathe throughout your house healthier. That reduced humidity protects your home's structures from damage and deterioration. Another terrific benefit is improved heating and cooling efficiency. It acts as a layer of insulation and helps your house be more efficient while using less energy. And lastly, it makes the area less frightening because we know that's important, too. So, when you need to go down there for a reason, it is brighter, cleaner, and less populated by things with more eyes and legs than you.

Pest Control Solutions To Put You At Ease

If you are ready to do something about your creepy crawl space and its inhabitants, there is no better choice for pest control and encapsulation service than the top-rated pest professionals in North and South Carolina: At Ease Pest Solutions. Find out why we've racked up countless five-star reviews and top service awards from HomeAdvisor, Angie's List, and Thumbtack. Contact us today for an estimate.