Purchasing a new home is an exciting time. You’re searching for the best neighbourhood to call home for you, your partner, or your family. You don’t intend to take in any new houseguests when you buy your home, which makes it important to pay attention to any presence of wildlife in the homes you tour.
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Here are three signs of an animal infestation in the home to keep in mind when looking for a new place to call home.
1. Feces and Odour
Don’t assume those brown stains on the ceiling are from water: they could be rodent urine. If you notice a scattering of pellets in the home, it’s an indication there may be animals. Mice, for example, commonly leave droppings everywhere—especially around food.
If you do see feces around the home, pay attention to the size to determine what animal is living there. It’s not always fun, but you need to know what kind of animal it is before purchasing a new home. Finding droppings in a new home is more than unpleasant, they host a number of different diseases that could put your family at risk.
Not only will you see animal droppings and urine stains, you’ll smell a foul odour with them that worsens as feces dry up. The smell of urine varies by animal. Rat urine has an ammonia tinge, while a musty smell is commonly associated with mice. Pay attention to any odd smells and sights while touring new homes.
2. Property and Structural Damage
Rodents are constantly gnawing, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Aluminum, drywall, electrical wires, and insulation are just a few of many readily available ingredients for them to chew on. If you notice wood chips or gnaw marks on outdoor deck railings, this is a sign of an animal infestation.
In addition to chewing hard materials, some rodents also like electrical wiring. Now you’re fixing flickering lights, switches, and eliminating any possible fire hazards, paying extra for an electrician to come in and determine the problem. This is the last thing anyone wants as a new homeowner.
The damage doesn’t end in the home’s interior. Small holes in walls, floors, and generally around the property are key locations to enter and cause damage. Take a closer look around the garage and at garbage bins for evidence of an animal infestation. Damaged plants and gardens, sights of large brown areas, and holes in the lawn could indicate burrowing skunks. Check to see if roof and gable vents look okay. If they’re ripped or appear loose, compromised in any way, it could be an entry point for wildlife.
You want to move into a home that’s ready, and this includes strong structural integrity. The last thing a new homeowner wants to do is put more money out to fix the property in order to make it livable.
3. Evidence of Nests
Your new home isn’t a free for all for everyone. Noticing any nests around the property—inside or out, indicates an animal infestation. Most rodents make a nest out of whatever materials are available and in full supply: papers, grasses, insulation, shredded paper. These materials may be loosely piled together or densely compacted, generally stuffed into a ball shape in an isolated and dark area of the house.
Do a thorough check around the home, especially in isolated areas, to make sure all nooks and crannies aren’t currently home to any critters. Any holes, tunnels, and burrows outside could indicate a larger rodent has taken up space. Skunks, for example, burrow around sheds or under decks and porches. Small rodents, such as mice, keep to a corner, building their nests in one area.
Looking for a new home is exciting! You just don’t want any unexpected guests living there with you.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!