An unencapsulated crawl space provides the perfect place for pests and wildlife to take cover, as it is dark, warm, full of moisture, and not an area you often spend time in. However, the damage that they can cause ripple effects throughout the rest of the home. The moisture and groundwater rising from the crawl space can create environments perfect for wood-destroying termites. Additionally, the presence of mice and rats in the crawl space can attract snakes, and bigger wildlife like raccoons, skunks, and groundhogs might also hide out in your crawl space. Don’t worry, we can help. Critter Authority offers wildlife removal and pest control services, as well as crawl space encapsulation services to protect your crawl space against moisture, pests, and wildlife in the future.
Termites in Crawl Space Damage
If your crawl space is not encapsulated, then moisture, groundwater and water vapor can accumulate and rise through the dirt floor inside the crawl space. Heightened levels of moisture in your crawl space creates conditions that are perfect for subterranean termites. Subterranean termites rarely go above ground, and their bodies will quickly dry out without any moisture. Typically, subterranean termites will build mud tubes up along your foundation, which will allow them to gain access to the wood within your home. Since you probably don’t go poking around your crawl space all too often, you probably won’t notice termite damage until they’ve begun eating their way to the wood in the rest of the home. If you knock on your wood and it feels hollow, if you are seeing discarded wings, piles of sawdust, or maze-like shapes inside wood, these are all indicators of a termite infestation. Termite damage can create structural instability within the home, which can be a major safety hazard. Termite damage can also ruin your property value and make it difficult to sell your home. Thankfully, termites can be mitigated by controlling the levels of moisture within the home and preventing any water leaks that can saturate wood, as termites prefer wet, rotting wood.
Rodents and Snakes in Crawl Space
Crawl spaces without vapor barriers or vent covers provide perfect harborage for rodent pests like mice and Norway rats. Mice and rats will create their nests inside your crawl space, often ripping up any insulation you might have in your crawl space for nesting material. Additionally, if you have any wires or cables running through your crawl space, rats and mice will chew through them, which will create a fire hazard. If rats and mice are nesting in your crawl space, it’s only a matter of time before they begin venturing into other areas of your home, searching for food. Rats and mice both breed very quickly, so just a few in your crawl space can quickly explode into an infestation. If your crawl space provides a steady source of rodents, it’s only a matter of time before hungry snakes show up, searching for a steady source of food. Snakes inside your crawl space can begin slithering into other areas of your home, which can be very upsetting if you or any other occupants of your home are afraid of snakes.
Raccoons and Skunks in Crawl Spaces
If your crawl space isn’t protected, it can provide a perfect nesting spot for raccoons and skunks. While raccoons are more commonly associated with attics, these critters will also utilize crawl spaces for denning sites. Raccoons will rip up any crawl space insulation you might have, and they will tear through wires, which can cause a fire hazard. Raccoons can also create health hazards by leaving behind large amounts of waste in your crawl space.
Skunks naturally stay low to the ground, and if your yard provides food sources for them (grubs, pet food, unsealed trash cans) then they will dig out a den on your property. Skunks will den underneath decks and porches, or inside crawl spaces. Skunks will often spray around their dens to mark their territory, and if they are spraying inside your crawl space, the foul smell will drift upwards into the home.
Groundhogs, Moles,and Voles in Crawl Spaces
Burrowing critters like groundhogs, moles, and voles are known for the damage they do when creating their underground tunnels. If you have burrowing critters inside your crawl space, they can do serious damage to your home’s foundation, as hollowing out the ground underneath it will cause the foundation to crack and settle.
Wildlife Removal and Crawl Space Encapsulation in Richmond
If your crawl space is under attack from pests like rodents and termites or wildlife like snakes, raccoons, skunks, and more, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Critter Authority. Our team offers comprehensive rodent control and termite control services, as well as safe, humane wildlife removal services. Additionally, we offer crawl space encapsulation services, crawl space vapor barriers and crawl space vent sealing to keep pests and wildlife out. Contact our team to get started today with a FREE estimate at (804) 492-2804!