A traditional home inspection is a smart move for obvious reasons. To the untrained eye, it may not be evident that there are significant issues with the property. Whether undiscovered structural issues, faulty electrical or even a gaping hole in your roof. It just makes sense to be proactive and have the property assessed.
One aspect of a home ecosystem that is consistently overlooked is the potential existence of wildlife damage, contamination or infestation. Just like any of the other major issues homeowners may encounter, wildlife-related problems need immediate attention and can be very expensive. Especially the longer they go undetected.
Home inspectors specifically mention that “pest/termite” inspection is not part of their process. They simply do not have the requisite expertise to address these situations.
It is highly recommended that you hire a local wildlife expert to inspect your property if this has never been done.
Being proactive will be cheaper. Your structure will incur less damage and the whole situation will be more manageable if you gather the relevant information beforehand. Once you are reacting to an emergency, the damage has been done and the corresponding costs will be much higher.
Scope – Home Inspection
This process is designed to assess the safety of the structure as well as the mechanical condition of the houses various systems. The emphasis is solely on these aspects. They are not trained,
A home inspection will cover:
Exterior condition (siding, brickwork, windows, doors), attic (Insulation level, baffles), roof (flashing, gutters, roof covers), plumbing, foundation, electrical, HVAC
It is designed to be a general overview of every major aspect of the building.
Scope – Wildlife Inspection
In contrast to the service previously mentioned, a wildlife inspection is a thorough process designed to identify any preexisting issues or potential threats from wildlife to your property.
A wildlife inspection will cover:
Garage, foundation, attic, roof, roofline, complete exterior of the building (soffit, siding, eaves, coverings), windows and doors, breather bricks, wiring/other access points
Through a thorough inspection of the exterior, the roof and especially the attic, a trained wildlife professional will be able to give you a detailed report outlining any existing concerns. They will also provide a list of preventative issues to address down the road to remain protected.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!
Wildlife-Related Dangers
There are two main areas to consider when evaluating the potential risks associated with wildlife presence in your home. The first is health and the second is damage to the property. Both have the potential to be devastating.
Here are some of the common problems associated with each area of concern:
Health Related
The primary concern when considering wildlife infestation in your home from a health point of view is the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease. This happens in 4 main ways:
- Direct Contact – exposure to saliva, blood, urine, mucous or feces.
- Indirect Contact – exposure to nesting materials, habitats or other surfaces infected with germs
- Vector Born – through a bite or scratch from a carrier
- Food Born – through consumption of food that has been contaminated by wildlife in your residence
As you can see, it’s not only through a chance run-in with a raccoon in your driveway that you risk exposure, It could be as harmless an act as eating something out of your pantry …
Common Diseases:
- Raccoon Roundworm
- Leptospirosis
- Giardiasis
- Salmonella
- Rabies
Often, homeowners have no idea they are hosting a large wildlife population in their attics, walls, garages or basements. These pests are experts at keeping their presence undetected.
Property Damage
Unlike our health,
These are the most common types of household damage inflicted by wildlife:
- Damaged Exterior – soffit, siding, eaves, roof vent, shingles, finishing’s
- Attic damage – wiring, HVAC components, insulation, structural beams
- Contamination – in severe cases where there is an infestation, major renovations, construction, repairs are required
With larger animals such as raccoon, it is often obvious when there is an issue. When dwelling with smaller creatures such as rodents, chipmunks, and bats. The issue does not become apparent to the homeowners until it is severe enough to create as smell or visible damage to the property. By this time the destruction has already happened, and you are in damage control mode.
By getting a home inspection completed by a wildlife professional you can gather all the relevant information to help protect your home. Only then can you rest assured there are no surprises crawling around in your walls or attic.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!