You may not see them, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there: pests hiding in your crawlspace. These shallow areas under your porch and house are perfect for pests because they’re inconspicuous, dark, and damp. They also provide plenty of undisturbed shelter for all manner of pests, from rodents to chipmunks to bugs.
Here’s your guide to keeping pests out of your crawlspace. If you come across an infestation, don’t delay in calling a Boise pest control technician.
Animals That Live in Crawlspaces
Crawl spaces are relatively warm, humid, dark, and protected from many of the elements, acting as a haven for a wide range of pests.
Some of the most common pests that will invade crawlspaces include:
- Rodents (rats, mice, chipmunks)
- Ground-dwelling insects (termites, millipedes)
- Carpenter ants
- Crickets
- Cockroaches
- Spiders
- Beetles
- Flying insects (hornets, wasps, bees)
Prevention
It’s always easier to prevent the invasion of pests than to deal with an outbreak. Unfortunately, because you don’t visit your crawlspace very often, pests can proliferate unseen and unheard for weeks or months at a time. Here are some preventive measures to take:
Adjust Your Landscaping
Poorly maintained or planned landscaping can invite pests to find and enjoy your crawlspace. Keep bushes, grass, debris, mulch, and other organic material far away from the edge of your foundation. Many pests, such as termites, ants, centipedes, and rodents, will use it for their home base.
Seal Crawlspace Openings
When you have soil as your crawlspace floor, there’s not much you can do to keep pests from burrowing in there. However, you can limit their intrusion when you seal entry points. Keep in mind, mice, rats, and chipmunks are known to squeeze through gaps as small as half an inch.
Here are some common sources of openings in crawlspaces:
- Gaps between soil and foundation
- Gaps between the foundation and the home’s floor and walls
- Gaps around wiring and pipes
Control Moisture
Many pests can go a long time without eating, but they need water to survive. Rodents need to drink actual water, while cockroaches and termites only need humid air and moist soil. Here’s how you can keep your crawlspace dry:
- Add a vapor barrier: Crawlspaces, particularly ones with a soil floor, can benefit from the installation of a vapor barrier. This is a plastic sheet placed on the soil to prevent moisture from seeping up into the crawlspace.
- Use crawlspace encapsulation: Most crawlspaces are not completely separated from the above living spaces, which allows pests to get inside your home from those shallow areas. Encapsulation will require mitigation of mold and drainage issues first, followed by installation of reinforced liners and dehumidifiers.
- Install ventilators: A dry crawlspace won’t be as inviting to pests. Dry wood, in particular, is less susceptible to invasion by beetles, termites, ants, and mold.
Contact Eco Pest Control
If you have come across an infestation of pests in your crawlspace, contact us at 208-600-8734 for a free quote and inspection. Our Donnelly ID exterminators are well-versed in ridding homeowners of those pesky crawlspace dwellers.
