5 Things They Do Not Tell You About Owning A Home In Maryland

09/10/2019


Home Pest Control   
american pest tech meeting with a homewoner

Buying a home is a big deal. Can you imagine signing on the dotted line without having checked to make sure there aren't any costly issues to deal with? Of course not. You want to know what you're getting into. It is a lot of work when you buy a fixer-upper, or worse, a money pit. You're going to look for wood rot, mold issues, damaged gutters, lawn care and landscaping problems, marks on interior walls, damaged grout and bulging Formica, damaged carpets or floors, faucet leaks, and other flaws that may end up costing you an arm and a leg to fix. You may hire a contractor to do this inspection. If you do, there are 5 things your contractor may not tell you about your Maryland home. As you can probably guess, they have to do with pest control threats. That is, after all, our specialty. Here's what the experts at American Pest would like you to know about owning a home in Maryland.

1. Wood rot and termites go together like peas and carrots.

This is the big one. If subterranean termites start feeding on your Maryland home, you could be in serious trouble. These insects come up from the ground and feed on the inside of wood. Over the course of years, they silently weaken support timbers and create cascading issues. This can lead to costly or irreparable damage. If you're looking at purchasing a home that has wood rot, you need to strongly consider the threat of subterranean termites. While these insects can infest any home, they are drawn to wood that is soft or rotting.

2. Termites aren't the only pests that damage homes.

When it comes to wood-damaging pests in Maryland, termites are definitely the worst. But they aren't the only pests that can damage a Maryland home. Under the right circumstances, carpenter ants can give termites a run for their money. Carpenter ants chew galleries inside wood and can do quite a number on an old deck or an area of a home that has been damaged by water. There are also minor wood pests like carpenter bees, woodpeckers, old house borer beetles and powder post beetles. Carpenter bees bore circular holes into deck railings, stairs, fences and other external structures. When they do, their larvae can attract woodpeckers to come and peck on these structures. Wood-boring insects get into hardwood. You'll see tiny holes in your window and door frames or in the wood of your furniture.

3. Wood-damaging pests aren't the only pests to be concerned about.

There are many pests that can damage your stuff. Here are just a few of them:

  • Silverfish damage photos, documents, wallpaper, clothing and more.
  • The larvae of clothing moths damage clothing and other fabrics.
  • Boxelder bugs, lady bugs, and other occasional invaders stain fabrics and upholstery with their feces.
  • Carpet beetles damage carpets, tapestries, curtains and other fabrics.

4. Rodents are a unique threat to homes.

Mice and rats have strong incisors and they use these teeth to chew holes into Maryland homes. The holes they create can be channels for rainwater to get in and cause wood rot. They also offer an entry point for a long list of other pests.

Once inside your home, mice and rats aren't done doing damage. They can rip up fiberglass insulation or chew through foam insulation. They can damage sheetrock, wallpaper and other building materials. When they chew through walls, they sometimes chew through wires. This makes them a risk for causing a house fire.

Mice and rats will damage more than just your home. They are likely to use stored furniture and boxes as a home inside your home. When they do, they can make holes that are hard to fix and they contaminate stored items with their urine and feces. It is safe to say that you're better off without mice or rats in your Maryland home.

5. Every home in Maryland should have residential pest control

If you're buying a home in Maryland, or you already own a home but have not yet invested in a high-quality residential pest control plan, we can help you get a service plan in place. American Pest is an industry-leader with a large staff of certified pest-management professionals. We'll guide you to the right plan for your needs and budget. Get started by requesting a free in-home pest control estimate today. 






 
 
 

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