Three Pests That Pose Severe Fire Hazards
Most homeowners don't enjoy having unwelcome pests in their homes, especially when those invaders decide to take up residence in walls, ceilings, attics, or basements. While many of the critters that find their way into the average home can seem cute, they pose real dangers to you and your family. In addition to often being a vector for diseases, pests may also create hidden fire hazards.
If you think that sharing your home with a few furry friends doesn't seem too bad, then keep reading. Below you'll find three common household pests that can cause some decidedly unfriendly damage to your property.
1. Squirrels
Squirrels can be a lot of fun to watch as they run through nature, but these rodents can cause a tremendous amount of damage once they enter a home. Like most animals, they don't find their way into your house for malicious reasons. Instead, squirrels are typically looking for a warm and secure place to hide out and even raise their young.
Unfortunately, their first instinct is to begin working on a nest as soon as they enter your home. To accomplish this, they'll tear up whatever they can find, up to and including wood from exposed studs or ceiling joists. Not only is the bedding that they create highly flammable, but they may even trigger a fire by chewing on electrical cables.
2. Birds
Birds can find their way into a wide variety of inconvenient places. They especially like to nest in well-protected areas that extend off of your home. Many homeowners find birds nesting on gutters or window sills for this reason, but vents are another common target. If your home uses natural gas, you likely have exhaust vents for your furnace, water heater, or other appliances.
When bursts nest in these areas, their bedding material can clog the vent and prevent harmful exhaust gases from escaping. Not only can this lead to toxic fumes backing up into your home, but it can also stop appliances from adequately cooling themselves. Ultimately, this can turn something as innocuous as a clothes dryer into a significant fire threat.
3. Mice and Rats
Squirrels aren't the only rodents with a penchant for destruction. Seeing a mouse or rat running across your floor might cause for a good scare, but what they do behind the scenes is far more dangerous. These tiny critters need to gnaw on things regularly to keep the growth of their teeth under control, and they aren't in the habit of distinguishing between a nice block of wood and your home's wiring.
All of these little animals might not seem like a problem, but they can damage your home in ways that are both hard to detect and potentially catastrophic. If you notice pests in your home, it's best to contact a pest control expert as quickly as possible. Finding a way to deal with the problem humanely ensures that your family and your property remain safe.
For more information about pest control or removing small animals from your home, contact a local pest control service.