Which Pests Do The Most Damage to Your Home?
Pests in your home can feel disgusting and unsanitary.
However, that’s not the only reason you should handle household pest problems quickly.
There are many pests and insects out there that can cause significant damage to your home and can rack up a hefty pest control bill.
So which pests are most profitable for exterminators to kill?
Termites
Termites can absolutely destroy homes.
Americans spend approximately $5 million a year on termite infestations, and the average household owner has to pay $3,000 when fixing the termite damage from a termite infestation.
Termites eat wood and dig little tunnels in the wood to grow their colonies.
This can weaken the structural integrity of a house, causing significant damage.
Subterranean termites burrow uniquely shaped tunnels that are very recognizable, and if you see the patterns, you should call an expert immediately.
If left unaddressed for too long, these wood destroying termites can cause so much damage to a home that it can’t be fixed.
Related: Do Landlords Pay for Pest Control?
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs don’t explicitly damage a home, but the bill for a bed bug infestation still runs high.
Homeowners have to throw out and replace mattresses, furniture, headboards, linens, and more.
Additionally, bed bugs are quite resilient and can last a year without food.
As a result, a bed bug infestation often requires multiple calls to a pest management expert.
Related: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs [Guide]
Carpenter Ants
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood.
They do burrow holes into wood to make pathways and nests for their colonies.
As a result, carpenter ants can also threaten the structure of your home, and structural damage to a house is often the most expensive type of repair a homeowner can face.
Another type of ant that can cause damage to small animals (like pets) are fire ants.
Hiring pest control for carpenter ants can be expensive as there can be several nests in the house.
Mice and Rats
Rats and mice both have very sharp teeth and love to chew through items within a home, causing all types of damage.
If these furry rodents chew through electrical wiring, and they can cause severe plumbing or HVAC issues.
And, there is the additional risk of a fire starting from the exposed wires.
Luckily, the cost of hiring a professional for a mice or rat infestation isn’t too high, averaging under $500 for most households.
Related: The 10 Most Common Types of House Pests
Bees
If a swarm of bees has started to collect in your home (most likely in your attic or basement), they can build an enormous hive in just days.
On top of the very danger of having thousands of bees in your home, hives weigh several pounds, which can cause damage to the ceiling or the structure it’s latched onto.
A bee infestation can only be handled by a professional. And, since it’s such a complicated and dangerous task, be prepared that this will not be a cheap expense.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetle larvae can be quite destructive to multiple areas of the home.
The larvae will eat away at carpet, clothing, and other natural and synthetic fibers in the house.
These little creatures tend to eat in large chunks, so the damage is quite noticeable, often leading to partial or full carpet replacement.
The cost of hiring a professional to exterminate a carpet beetle infestation isn’t too high.
Still, sometimes it requires several visits (as carpet beetle larvae can survive several weeks without food), which can add up.
You should also watch out for Powderpost Beetles, which can eat through furniture.
Hidden Costs of Pest Control
A pest infestation can come with many hidden costs, from the exterminator bill to the home repairs and damaged household items.
No matter what type of pest problem you have, it’s always essential to tackle it immediately.
Always hire a pest control professional who can identify the full scope of the infestation, eliminate the outbreak, and put up barriers, so the problem doesn’t occur again.
