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It’s human nature to try to avoid unpleasant things, which explains why it’s so tempting to ignore pests when you see them in your house. A couple of spiders or a handful of ants may seem like a small enough frustration that ignoring them will just make them go away, but this can end up being a costly mistake. When you overlook, avoid, or ignore the signs of pests when the issue seems small and manageable, you’re only allowing the problem to become big and unmanageable. Delaying treatment can lead to larger infestations, higher repair costs, and more trouble trying to remove the pest problem.
The next time you see a few bugs in your house and your instinct is to squish them and carry on with your day, stop for a moment and consider the financial, structural, and health-related consequences of making that decision. Is there a way to know if the few pests you see now will become a costly problem in the future? Here are some things to consider.
Why Do Small Pest Problems Become Bigger So Quickly?
It’s not unusual to see the occasional spider or bug in your house, and just because you see one doesn’t mean hundreds of others are nearby. But it doesn’t mean they aren’t either. There are two major problems with seeing even just a few bugs in your house.
The first is that it means new pests have found their way inside and are eager to find a secluded place to nest and start reproducing. When this happens, that small problem will quickly grow. What was barely an issue will soon become a widespread infestation.
The second is that those pests you see are an indication of a large infestation that’s already established in your house. Some pests prefer to stay out of sight and only come out in the open when they run out of space and are forced to move. This is often the case with cockroaches. If you see them out in the open, especially during the day, it can be an indication of a large infestation already in your house.
Once a large number of pests are in your house, all of the problems they cause will also occur more quickly. Damage to your belongings and property will increase, along with the chances that you’ll contract a pest-spread illness of some sort.
How Can Termites Turn Minor Damage Into Major Structural Repairs?
Termites are pests that you’re unlikely to see in your house. Only swarmer termites willingly come out in the open, and they only do so for a brief period of time while they mate. Termites can get into your house without your knowledge, start nesting in your walls, and grow from a small group into a huge colony while you remain none the wiser. That’s why they’re sometimes called silent destroyers.
The trouble with termites is that they eat through wood. Although a new infestation will cause relatively little damage as only a handful of termites are present, it won’t take long for the colony to grow. The more termites there are, the faster they'll cause damage.
When you catch a termite infestation early, you can focus on localized treatment at the site of the infestation. However, once it grows, a termite colony can cause extensive damage to your house. Since they feed on and nest in wood, termites can cause significant structural damage, leading to the need for major reconstruction. Stopping termites in their earliest stages may cost a few hundred dollars, while waiting for the infestation to grow may result in tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
Why Are Rodents So Expensive to Ignore?
Rodents are one of the most common home invaders, and they’re also one of the most dangerous and costly pests to get in your home. When mice or rats get into your house, they can damage your property and spread diseases, making them a threat to both your home and family.
Rodents chew through electrical wiring, which not only leads to issues with your electrical system but can also cause fires. They cause plumbing damage, leading to water leaks, as well as the growth of mold and mildew. Rodents damage insulation, items in storage, and food packaging. They contaminate the places they spend time as well as your food stores. When rodents get in your house, basically nothing is safe. Since much of the damage occurs behind walls or in secluded spaces, it’s also easy for rodents to cause a lot of costly problems before they are discovered.
What Health Costs Can Pest Problems Create?
When we think about pests being costly, we typically think of the costs associated with getting rid of them and repairing the physical damage they’ve caused, but that’s not the only way pests can be expensive. They also put your health at risk, which can lead to costly health care bills.
Pests cause numerous health problems.
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Rodents contaminate food and spread illnesses like hantavirus, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever.
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Cockroaches spread over 30 types of bacteria, along with an alarming number of parasites and pathogens.
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Mosquitoes can infect you with West Nile virus, Eastern Equine encephalitis, and other harmful illnesses.
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Many pests contaminate food and/or can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.
Becoming ill from pests will lead to repeated doctor’s visits and prescriptions. In severe cases, hospital stays may be necessary. Regardless of the pest or the illness, it’s not worth the risk.
Why Don't DIY Fixes Always Save Money?
Many people’s first instinct when they see pests is to kill the visible pests and assume that no others are present. Unfortunately, usually where there is one, there are more. Do-it-yourself pest control seems like a great way to save money, but many of the DIY methods available don’t really work. In addition to only targeting the visible pests, DIY treatments:
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Miss hidden nests and colonies
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Require the repeated purchase of sprays, traps, and baits
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Only provide temporary relief while allowing the problem to grow larger out of sight
If you’re not careful, the price of your DIY treatments can end up costing more than a professional treatment without even doing the job. Stack repair bills and health-related costs on top of it, and you’ve far exceeded what it would have cost to address the issue correctly from the beginning.
What Other Hidden Costs Do Pest Infestations Create?
We’ve covered how costly pest infestations can be in a number of ways. A widespread infestation is more expensive to treat than a small, localized one. Large-scale property damage costs thousands to repair. Health issues are always a lot of money to address. Unfortunately, these things are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the costs of pest infestations. There are also many hidden costs. Some of the indirect financial consequences of pests include:
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Lost property value
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Renovation delays
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Home sale complications
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Time spent dealing with recurring infestations
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Stress and inconvenience
Why is Preventive Pest Control Usually More Affordable?
The good news is that there is an easy way to avoid the costs of a big pest infestation. Stopping pests before they have a chance to move into your house allows you to avoid all of the resulting treatments, repairs, and doctor’s visits. To stop pests, you have to be proactive and implement a preventative pest control plan for your home.
Although preventative pest control does come with a price tag, that price tag is far less than you’ll have to pay if you let pests get into your house. Pest prevention from All-American Pest Control includes:
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Routine inspections
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Early detection
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Quarterly preventative treatments
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Free re-treatments if needed
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Long-term savings
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Avoiding emergency repairs
Preventative pest control is far less expensive than repairing major damage after an infestation has grown.
What Warning Signs Should You Never Ignore?
What are the signs that pests have gotten into your house? If you see any of the following signs, don’t follow your instinct to ignore them. The sooner you address the issue, the less chance it will have to grow into a costly problem.
Warning signs of pests include:
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Mud tubes
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Rodent droppings
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Chewed wires
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Hollow-sounding wood
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Persistent cockroach sightings
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Unusual odors
When Should You Schedule a Professional Inspection?
There is no bad time to schedule a professional pest inspection. Whether you have a preventative pest control plan in place, are in the process of getting one established, or are seeing pests in and around your house, get in touch with All-American Pest Control to schedule your pest inspection.
Professional pest inspections are a proactive investment in the safety of your home. Get in touch with us to schedule one if:
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You have repeated pest sightings
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There is visible property damage
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DIY treatments haven't worked
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You’re in the process of buying or selling a home
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You want seasonal preventative inspections
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There is uncertainty about the source of the problem
Act Early to Avoid Costly Repairs: Call All-American Today
Schedule your free home evaluation with All-American Pest Control before a small pest issue becomes a costly repair. Our evaluations provide our expert technicians with the opportunity to identify hidden pest activity early, recommend practical prevention strategies, and help you protect your property, your family, and your long-term maintenance budget. Call us today.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Adams, Ashburn, Barren Plains, Bethpage, Bransford, Castalian Springs, Cedar Hill, Coopertown, Cottontown, Cross Plains, Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Greenbrier, Hartsville, Hendersonville, Madison, Millersville, Orlinda, Pleasentville, Portland, Ridgetop, Springfield, Westmoreland, White House, and the entire Robertson County, Sumner Country and Greater Nashville areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.