Why Wildlife and Plumbing Do Not Mix
Many homeowners’ know that they will have unexpected costs that come with their ownership. Probably one of the most unsavory of these costs is any from the use of pest control. The idea of an infestation of rats or less pleasant things is pretty close to a nightmare. With fall here and many creepy crawlies looking for a nice warm, dry place to hide from the cold and rain some homes may become new havens for critters. So, as a homeowner what are you to do? You start by keeping by your eyes and ears open.
Here are Four Star Plumbing’s simple steps to making sure the local critters stay outside your home.
Check your walls and vents.
Every home has vents or clean outs from drains and dryers, it is always good practice to walk around every once in a while and check out your home. Cracks in your walls, or missing vents can lead to new unwanted residents.
Animals most likely to enter this way:
- Rodents
- Raccoons
- Birds
- Flying insects
- Snakes
Keep your ears open for odd sounds in the night
Everything makes sounds, especially nocturnal animals out for a stroll. It is important to not just dismiss creaks and groans as a house settling. Make sure if you are hearing patterns and repeated sounds that you should start investigating.
So, What do animals have to do with plumbing?
Rats and other animals love chewing plastic, which can be a problem for any pipe or plumbing component made of plastic. While, Raccoons and other creatures can also get into venting to nest, which also can become a problem for a homeowner.
Many think it is just make believe horror stories about rats and snakes coming up from the toilet, but the scary truth is, they can! It may be super rare, but they come from drain pipes not being maintained and having large enough breaks for these animals to get in.
If you suspect you can animals, be sure to call your preferred animal control expert. And, if you feel that your plumbing has been tampered with by anything, call us!
