7 Tips for Keeping Pests out of Your Crawl Space

Pests in your crawl space can cause significant damage to your home and pose serious health risks to your family.

From chewing through wooden elements and wiring to contaminating your living space with droppings and urine, the presence of pests is both a structural and sanitary concern.

To maintain a healthy environment, it’s crucial to take proactive measures.

Follow these seven steps to keep your crawl space pest-free.

Tip #1: Lower Humidity and Remove Stagnant Water

Most pests thrive in a crawl space’s damp environment. The logical solution to this situation is to lower the humidity levels and remove any stagnant water.

The best way to do so is to install drainage, a high-quality dehumidifier, and a crawl space sump pump.

Tip #2: Trim Overgrown Bushes Nearby

Another tip that can make a world of difference is trimming nearby bushes. Most pests will hide in the foliage near your home from where they’ll go into your crawl space. This will expose your crawl space area to moisture and pests.

Tip #3: Seal Cracks

Pests won’t use the door to enter; they’re sneakier. Most homes have cracks and holes in their foundations, which serve as primary entry points for rodents and insects. They can squeeze through even the smallest of gaps. But aside from these entry points, pests use crawl space vents, too.

At one time it was advised that homeowners leave their vents open to keep the air in the crawl space fresh and constantly flowing. However, this only allows pests and humidity to enter your home and wreak all sorts of havoc.

Tip #4: Remove Wet Insulation

Over time, your insulation can become wet and attract pests. This is especially true if you have fiberglass insulation in the crawl space.

You should contact professional help to replace the insulation with damage-proof materials. Also, check for damp or rotten beams that rodents can chew.

Tip #5: Get Extermination Assistance

While you may be able to set traps and apply pesticides, these tasks could actually endanger your health.

Rather than entering your crawl space to place traps or apply any type of chemicals, it’s best to seek assistance from extermination professionals who will be able to safely and effectively address the problem.

Tip #6: Install a Vapor Barrier

The most common type of crawl space is a dirt one. This means there’s no concrete floor beneath your home—just dirt.

Installing a quality vapor barrier is the best way to make it more difficult for pests to get inside and create an inhospitable environment for them.

Tip #7: Encapsulate Your Crawl Space

Our last tip is probably the most important of all.

Encapsulation is practically a necessity for any homeowner with a crawl space. It entails closing the area under your floors with a thick 20-mil plastic barrier and sealing vents.

It will reduce humidity levels and can lower your energy bills by up to 18%.

Dealing with pests in your crawl space can be incredibly frustrating, causing damage to your home and posing health risks to your family.

Fortunately, Innovative Basement Authority is here to help. With nearly 20 years of experience, our team of experts is dedicated to providing effective solutions to keep pests out of your crawl space.

Don’t wait for the problem to worsen—schedule a free inspection today. Reach out to us now and take the first step toward a pest-free home.