As the weather gets cooler in Battle Ground this fall season, rodents will be looking for warm and sheltered places to escape the dropping temperatures. Maintaining the crawl spaces of your home is crucial. The crawl spaces in homes can be full height like a basement and some can be two feet tall or even shorter. These hidden areas are prime targets for rodents such as rats and mice. Rodents are remarkably adept at squeezing through even the tiniest openings to enter your home crawl space. At ABA HVAC and Home Solutions, we are experts on Crawl Space Services and have the knowledge to keep your crawl space and home rodent-free this fall.
Why are Rodents Attracted to Crawl Spaces?
Crawl spaces provide a hidden and protected environment that rodents find appealing. Fall marks the beginning of the rodent breeding season which means these creatures are actively seeking warm, safe, and secure places to establish nests and give birth to their young. Crawl spaces can also provide a hidden refuge where rodents can evade natural predators such as owls and hawks.
What are the Dangers of Rodents?
Rodents can cause extensive damage to the insulation, wiring, and other structural components of your home, leading to costly repairs. They are known carriers of various diseases that can be transmitted to humans directly or indirectly. The droppings, urine, and dander from rodents can trigger allergies and exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma. These creatures can also contaminate your food by gnawing through packaging or leaving droppings and urine behind. Professional removal services are important to safely remove any rodents from your home.
How to Prepare Your Crawl Space
Preventing and addressing rodent infestations promptly is essential. Steps that can be taken to prepare your crawl space include:
- Inspecting – Thoroughly inspect the crawl space to identify all of the points of entry that rodents can use to get into your home.
- Sealing – Use wire mesh or caulk to seal any holes and entry points that rodents could use to enter your crawl space.
- Vent Control – Ensure crawl space vents are equipped with fine mesh screens to block rodent entry.
- Elevate Storage – If you store items in your crawl space, place them on shelves or platforms. This prevents rodents from nesting among your belongings
- Cleaning – Regularly clean your crawl space to remove potential nesting materials. A clean environment is less appealing to rodents.
- Secure Crawl Space Doors – Install door sweeps and weather stripping to close gaps around crawl space doors.
- Trim Vegetation – Trim trees and shrubs near your home’s exterior to deny rodents easy access to your crawl space.
Crawl spaces are usually dark and tight, so it can be difficult for homeowners to perform these steps themselves. We recommend calling a trusted crawl space expert; they will ensure any repairs are done by a qualified professional.
ABA HVAC and Home Solutions – Crawl Space Experts
Regular maintenance and quality repairs done by ABA HVAC and Home Solutions is your first step to keep rodents out of your home. Our expert team specializes in a range of crawl space maintenance and other home services. We are a small, local business where the owner supervises every job completed. We oftentimes finds potential problems that other companies might miss. Our technicians focus on solutions that keep your home running smoothly and efficiently in the long-term. Contact ABA HVAC and Home Solutions to ensure your home stays rodent free this fall and for years to come.