We can all imagine how nasty it must be to have an infestation of pests in our homes. The thought of cockroaches scuttling across our kitchens, wasps swarming by our bedroom windows and mice scurrying in the attic above our heads is enough to make many of us shudder in disgust!
But have you ever given any thought to the financial consequences of having pests in your home? Not only is an infestation going to be unpleasant and even unhygienic, it could have a real impact on your bank balance. Below, we take a look at the more common pests that can be found in our homes and how to tackles any issues that may arise.
Moths can be expensive
Moths like dark, undisturbed areas such as wardrobes or a chest of drawers. It’s here that they’ll lay their eggs, and when the larvae hatches, your clothes will become the ‘special of the day’, so to speak.
The biggest problem with this is that moths like to eat expensive fabrics, such as your silk ties, satin wedding dress or cashmere shawls. So, if you’ve a problem with moths, not only will you have to foot the bill to replace your favourite outfits (or worse, face the fact that you can’t replace your most sentimental or treasured outfits), you may also have to pay for a moth treatment. Expect to pay anywhere from £100 to £300 for a professional to fumigate a room, or have a go at tackling an infestation yourself.
The trouble with mice and rats
Mice and rats could spell disaster for your home. They’ll nibble and gnaw their way through wires, food and plastic, rifling through your kitchen cupboards and stealing your dog’s biscuits too.
You might even hear rodents scratching in your attic at night, and this can be a real problem as they can damage loft insulation or chew through your electric cables. Aside from the cost to your property, rat and mice infestations can also pose a huge risk to your health. Vermin are known to carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, so consider the cost to your family’s wellbeing if you have a rodent problem, as well as to the cost to your property.
You can deal with an infestation by using mice traps and rat traps, and if you’ve a serious problem, you can call on a professional to help you. Pest control companies charge a few hundred pounds to rid your home of rats and mice, but be sure to check if your local council offers a pest control service first: they’ll often do it for free or offer a service at a discounted rate.
If you are looking for a new business opportunity, you could always consider earning money and seek out the right pest control franchise brands. A reliable and efficient service that will always be required, you could do worse than investing in a company that uses specialists and comes with high demand.
House insurance
Finally, if you thought that the damage from these pests will be covered on your home insurance, think again. Most home insurance policies actually exclude damage from pests, and you’ll certainly have to pay extra if you want to take out a policy that covers you for destruction caused by pests such as rats and mice. It’s also worth talking to a specialist company such as Empire Pest Control London as they have many years of experience in dealing with this subject matter. You can even get prices and advice from them in regards to your current situation.
LV (a company providing home insurance) has reported that one in five households have been damaged by rodents or other pests, and that over half of pest controllers have seen cases where pests have caused structural damage to homes. Check your insurance policy, and consider upgrading if you’re not covered for damage caused by pests.
