Just like humans, pests and rodents need water to survive. If you accidentally leave water in your tub or sink or have a leak from your plumbing, you are giving a warm welcome to all pests and rodents near your residence. You can take the initiative to prevent pest problems and rodents by doing leak checks. Rodents are more than just mice. The term rodents is a spectrum for a variety of smaller furry animals, including squirrels, chipmunks, rats, and mice. When rodents are in search of water leaks, they like to look under crawl spaces, having water under crawl spaces gives them a steady stream of water. If you have any water dripping from any outside sources such as a spigot or hose, they will also use this as a source of fresh water. Another source of water most people may not think of is if your eaves and gutters are clogged with leaves and there is standing water. This will attract any rodents that have the capability to climb.
Other animals that can be attracted to your leaks are raccoons and possums. These are not a part of the rodent family; however, they are considered marsupials and can be just as much of a nuisance as rodents. You can also run into issues with arachnids and insects when you have leaks from water. These are the most common insects and arachnids you may see in your home:
- Termites
- Cockroaches
- Powderpost Beetles
- Carpenter Ants
- Fire Ants
- Mosquitos
- Black Ants
- Spiders
- Red Ants
- Silverfish
- Booklice
- Scorpions
With rodents, you usually know they have made themselves at home by signs such as droppings and missing food. When you have an infestation of insects, it can be harder to notice right away since they don’t have similar signs to rodents. This makes it much easier for them to build their colonies without you having any idea they are there.
What Water Leaks and Pests Can Do to Your Home
Water leaks are not good under any circumstance, if they are under your sink cabinets or in your plumbing lines in the subflooring this can cause major issues. When you have these types of leaks, the water slowly drips, and over time it gets the wood, laminate, insulation, concrete, and other materials used to build your home wet. When you have warmer weather in your area, the humidity can cause mildew and mold to grow in the areas where you have water leakage. Over time, the wood will start to soften and then rot. It’s possible for it to be so excessive it will start to soak into the backside of the drywall. You can also end up having water running out of the wall or from your ceiling.
Small animals and rodents love to make themselves home in your home to make themselves feel safe and secure. The insulation in your attic and walls is the ideal material where they can mate, have babies, and keep their families safe and sound. Being in the attic and within the walls gives pests the opportunity to chew on wood, electrical wires, concrete, and plumbing. In addition, having leaking pipes gives these animals access to water. With a cozy place to rest, their favorite snacks, and food and water, they have no reason to leave. If you have any concerns about any infestations in your home, WNY Wildlife is here to help. Give us a call at, (716) 203-1166.
