No one likes to think of pests infesting their home, since the resulting problems are often expensive and exhausting to deal with.
Some people notice early signs of an infestation and mentally sweep them under the rug, hoping to avoid dealing with the issue for as long as possible. However, this approach can result in infestations spiraling out of control and posing serious risks over time, according to BPI Melbourne.
While dealing with any type of pest infestation is frustrating, it’s important to confront the problem early to avoid long-term damage. Read on to learn more about the long-term effects of untreated infestations.
Termites
Termites are notorious for costing homeowners billions in damage each year by causing structural damage to homes and buildings.
While they can certainly devour the living wood of growing trees, they’re much more likely to chew on wood that’s already deteriorating. This means that any damp wood in your home is like a beacon to termites – especially if it’s in close contact with the ground, where termites are likely to dig their way in.
Termites are hard to eradicate once they set up shop in the very wooden elements that they’re eating, and will steadily erode the structural strength of your home. This can result in dangerous structural instability alongside a serious decrease in curb appeal.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are known for their hardiness, and an untreated infestation can rapidly snowball out of control. Roach infestations can cause a number of health problems – most commonly allergies triggered by the proteins in their droppings, saliva, and exoskeletons. They can also potentially carry dangerous pathogens such as Cholera, Leprosy, and Typhoid Fever.
Cockroaches do not damage homes as severely as termites do, although they certainly make it look worse. In addition to gnawing on finishes and glues, roaches leave droppings everywhere which create musty smells and a filthy appearance.
Mice or Rats
Alongside carrying dangerous illnesses such as the Hantavirus, Bubonic Plague, and Rat-Bite Fever, mice and other rodents can quickly make a mess of your home. They’ll chew into containers of food, often contaminating them with urine, and leave droppings all over the place.
Long-term results of untreated rat and mouse infestations include increased risk of contamination as droppings, urine, and saliva accumulate, as well as unsightly holes gnawed through boards and walls.
Rodents will also damage furniture by chewing their way through upholstery in order to nest, and cause a serious risk of electrical fire by chewing through wiring insulation.
Dry and Wet Rot
While wet and dry rot will both cause severe damage to the wooden beams in your home, the latter is a far greater threat. Dry rot has the ability to spread quickly through dry wood and other non-wooden building materials, meaning that it can take over your home before you know it if left untreated.
Damage caused by dry rot includes severe discoloration of wooden elements as well as shrinking and visible, unsightly fungal growths. Dry rot will also cause the wood that it inhabits to become brittle over time, meaning that the safety and stability of the entire structure will be compromised.
Birds
While few people think of birds when asked to list common household pests, there are certainly a number of risks to consider. When birds get too close for comfort and begin nesting in your gutters, for example, their nesting materials will clog the gutter drainage system and render it far less effective. The poor drainage and resulting buildup of moisture and debris can increase your risk for mold or termites.
Bird droppings are also quite acidic, meaning that they can actually damage your roofing materials. This will increase the deterioration rate of your roof, encourage mold growth, and potentially introduce dangerous pathogens to your home.
To Recap:
While any homeowner dreads the idea of having to deal with a pest infestation, it’s important to nip any invasions in the bud to keep them from getting out of hand.
Aside from the intense structural damage that pests such as termites, rodents, and dry rot can cause to your home itself, you’ll also have a series of health risks to worry about. Any number of potentially serious (or even deadly) diseases can make their way into your home by piggybacking on pests, meaning that no infestation should be ignored.
At The Pest Company, the specialists understand the severity of pest infestations in terms of the condition of your home and your health alike. Don’t wait for an infestation to spiral out of control and become a serious threat before enlisting professional help!
