Pests. Some people keep rodents or insects as pets, but nobody wants them as surprise “roommates.” Most cases of infestation aren’t caught until everyday life begins to get disrupted regularly, and the cost of cleaning up and getting rid of pests is often a fair sum of money.
Now, many people would turn to their insurance provider at this point to help pay for the cost of cleanup, right? Well, most infestations aren’t covered in homeowner’s insurance policies. Insurance providers know that it takes awhile to go from a few bugs to an infestation and will assume that you failed to take the necessary precautions or take care of the problem early on. It is also incredibly difficult to create policies and estimates due to all the different ways a house can get infested and damaged. Many policies cover a fire caused by rodents, but the infestation should be prevented or stopped before damage to your home can escalate that quickly. Here are some ways to help prevent infestation or lessen its severity.
Regular Extermination/Maintenance: Once or twice a year, hire a credited exterminator to inspect your home and/or take preventative measures. Also, make sure to take care of any problems like a leaky pipe or landscaping, as still water can attract pests and landscaping that touches your home makes it easier for pests to get in your house. You can keep an eye on your own home, too, for simple signs of pests. Look for small holes in wood for termites, check corners of kitchens and bathrooms for ants, and keep your eyes and ears open for any scurrying you could see or hear.
Seal Food and Entrances: Keeping food or trash in your home can give pests a good reason to visit. Sealing entrances where pests can come in reduces the number of ways they can get in, and sealing food in Tupperware or Ziploc bags gives any pests that come in less food and less reason to stay in your home. Keep an eye out for cracks or holes in walls, wood, and foundation where small pests could have gotten in.
Keep Clean: Infestations are hard to catch until they’re big because pests hide well, usually in dark, damp areas hidden away from sight. If you keep counters clean, keep the exterior of your home maintained, vacuum often, and clean up clutter, there will be less places for critters to hide and less crumbs lying around for pests to eat. Another way to reduce the crumbs you leave behind is eating in only certain places. The table, counters, and floor of the kitchen are easier to clean and keep an eye on than other places in the house, like your child’s bedroom.
Using these tips, you can help prevent an infestation in your home and avoid having to clean up.
Rothenberger Insurance Services is a full-service insurance company that specializes in all personal and commercial insurance services. We are located in West Reading and help many individuals and businesses in and around West Lawn, Wyomissing and Reading.
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