What You Need To Know About Insulation and Pest Control

​Pests are a huge problem in homes and other types of buildings throughout the United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, residents of 14.8 million housing units reported rodent sightings within the last 12 months. A typical home often has many different species of insects living in it, but homeowners may not always be aware of their presence. If you have ever dealt with insects or other pests, you may be able to make your home a less hospitable place for them to dwell. Insulation and pest control are more closely related than many homeowners realize. Here’s what you need to know about the two.

How Pests Get Into Your Home
Like criminals, pests often look for easy opportunities to get into your home. Homes with structural issues are more likely to become infested than those that are well-sealed and structurally sound. But even still, it’s possible for bugs and pests to get into your house when you let the dog out to go to the bathroom, when the kids run outside and forget to shut the door behind them, or when you unknowingly carry a spider inside on the back of your jacket.
Pests can also get into your home through exhaust fans and dryer vents, small cracks or holes in your siding, or through the tiniest access points in your exterior foundation. If you have a natural Christmas tree every year, you’re probably bringing a lot of little bugs into your house that are hidden away in the tree. Some homeowners are surprised to learn of the link between insulation and pest control. The right kind of insulation in the right amounts can deter pests from entering your home.

There are so many ways pests can get into your house that you should expect to see some occasionally. Depending on the type of pest you’re dealing with, you may be able to quickly kill it and be done with it. But chances are, if you see one pest, there are probably others hiding more successfully in your home.

Signs of a Pest Infestation
Seeing an occasional spider isn’t typically something to be alarmed about. But if you develop a pest infestation of any kind, it’s very important to schedule pest control services to come take care of the problem. An infestation isn’t likely to resolve on its own, and depending on the types of pests infesting your home, they could cause extensive damage. Insulation and pest control may help minimize the damage pests do in your home.
To figure out if you’re dealing with a pest infestation, look for these common signs:

• Visible pests crawling around inside or around your house
• Dead insects inside or around your house
• Evidence of a mouse nest
• Damaged plants
• Pest droppings
• Small dried blood spots
• Small openings around your home’s exterior

Additional indications of a pest infestation include tapping, scurrying or other strange noises (especially at night or when things are quiet). If these signs are very apparent, you’re likely dealing with a pest infestation that should be addressed before it becomes even worse. You may also want to look into insulation and pest control.
Most Common Home PestsThe most common types of home pests in Louisiana and other parts of the United States include:

• Mice
• Spiders
• Centipedes
• Cockroaches
• Millipedes
• Ants
• Wasps

Not all of these pests are capable of producing the same level of damage (for example, millipedes are unlikely to cause structural damage to your house but mice are capable of chewing through walls, wires and other important parts of your home). However, they are all an annoyance and don’t belong inside your home. Some can also cause a variety of health issues to you, your kids and your pets.

The Link Between Insulation and Pest Control
It may seem strange, but insulation can help combat pests in your home. Adding insulation won’t get rid of a current infestation (you’ll need to call a professional pest management service for that), but it can help you deter future pests from choosing your home as a living destination.

Spray foam insulation is a unique type of insulation that helps create air-tight reinforcements to the most vulnerable areas of your house (including around door and window sills). Some insulation is also commonly called pest control insulation because it is so effective at keeping pests out. Insulation and pest control are two great tactics you can use to keep your residence and the surrounding property free from unwanted pests such as rodents and insects.

Spray foam insulation can also improve the energy efficiency of your home by slowing down airflow. It is dense enough to keep air from flowing into and out of your house, which means your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep your home at your specified temperature. If saving money while simultaneously making it harder for pests to get inside sounds appealing to you, it may be time to learn more about pest control insulation.

Some types of pest control insulation also degrade more slowly than typical fiberglass insulation, which means it will last longer and you can go longer before you need to enhance or replace it. Ultimately, this means lower costs for you as a homeowner. Some types of pest control insulation even contain borates, which are present in nature and are poisonous to insects. Borates are safe for humans and can provide additional pest control to give you peace of mind in your own home.

Use Insulation and Pest Control to Combat Your Pest Problem
When combined, insulation and pest control can help you finally get rid of unwanted pests that are infesting your home and property. They can also help you take care of minor pest problems before they become bigger issues.

If you have any signs of pests, Bug Ninja Pest Control can help you get rid of them. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control services or to schedule your pest control appointment.