Winter brings with it a number of undesirable things—frigid temperatures, inclement weather, budget strains, lingering in-laws, etc. Perhaps the most devastating wintertime woe, however, is pests that decide to move in to escape the winter weather and who destroy your home in the process!
Rats, mice, squirrels and even raccoons have all be known to find their way inside when winter starts to rear its ugly head and most often, they find a welcoming entry point in your attic. All it takes is one overhanging tree branch or garden lattice for them to climb and before you know it, they’re in your home, nesting out of sight in your comfy, cozy attic!
Now, while an infestation of critters might have dangers and hazards in and of itself, the damage they’re going to cause to your attic insulation in Little Rock, AR should be enough to alarm any homeowner into taking action to prevent an extended stay from these pests. Take a look at what can happen to your insulation in the care of rodents and other unwanted guests:
- Pests will rip out your insulation in huge chunks when they’re making a nest, which can take only a matter of days. In these areas where they’ve burrowed in, you’re going to experience major heat loss as controlled air escapes upwards and outwards.
- Rodent droppings can become embedded in your insulation, accumulating to levels that become highly unsanitary and chiefly dangerous. If an infestation is severe enough, the droppings alone could make your home’s air quality unsafe!
- Many rodents will actually eat your insulation while they’re burrowing into it, permanently removing it form the equation and weakening your home’s R-value. Amass an infestation and your attic will become a feasting ground all winter long.
- If a rodent or small mammal dies in your attic, the insulation is going to hide them as they decompose, creating an unseen problem with major implications. Worse yet, your insulation could expedite the decomposition process by incubating the corpse!
All of the above factors and more can exacerbate a pest infestation in the winter by lowering your quality of life as it pertains to your home’s energy efficiency and HVAC. If your insulation is damaged, destroyed or eliminated altogether, it could continue to cause problems, including:
- Strain on your furnace as it attempts to keep up with the increased heating demands of your home.
- Lower temperature quality and consistency as heat escapes faster, causing cold patches and uneven heating in your home.
- Huge costs to replace attic insulation in Little Rock, AR as you discover damaged and missing sections.
As you take shelter in your heated home and give thanks that you’re not braving the weather outside, make sure there aren’t pests in your attic giving thanks for the same reason! If you do find unwanted guests, call an exterminator right away and as soon as the problem is gone, call an insulation contractor to make sure any damage is repaired promptly, before it affects you and your home.