Crawlspace Pest Control

Returning to a familiar pattern we’re going to be focusing on location-specific pest control. We’ve done the basement, attic and now we’re adding crawlspaces into the mix. Crawlspaces? Like those narrow dirt rooms under my front porch? Yep!

Crawlspaces are more important than you may think. In addition to the benefits they provide your home, they are also the most often overlooked pest infection ground zero! Here’s everything you need to know about crawlspace pest control.

What’s a crawlspace? Do I have one?

If you’ve asked yourself either of those two questions, don’t worry you are not alone. Homeowners rarely give much thought to their crawlspaces. Realtor.com put it best when they said

“A crawl space is essentially a hollow area under the floors of some homes between the ground and the first floor. It’s usually roughly 1 foot to 3 feet high—just high enough for someone to enter by crawling, as its name implies (low ceilings!).”

Not all homes have crawlspaces, but the majority in our part of the world do. The access is typically outside around the side of a porch but occasionally there are entrances via a floor panel. If you believe you have a crawlspace but cannot locate access, a contractor is typically able to access and either locate or create new access.

Why check the crawlspace for pests?

Being as the crawlspace is usually a tiny dirt path under the home., many believe that pests down there are completely harmless and nothing to worry about. This is a dangerous assumption for a few reasons.

First of all, because the crawlspace is often a structurally significant portion of the home and should be protected from pests and the damage they tend to do! And secondly, because 8 out of 10 times a pest infestation in a residence either originated or proliferated in the crawl space. Both great reasons to protect your crawlspace from pest habitation.

What types of pests thrive in crawlspaces?

The types of pests you find in crawlspaces are often the exact pests you’re seeing in the home. This includes common pests like:

And the less common but also problematic pests like raccoons, snakes, possums, scorpions, and sometimes even bats. If you’re encountering any of these pests in your home or yard – check the crawlspace. Chances are this is where they are coming from. And if not, this is definitely where you want to start pest-proofing!

How to inspect your crawlspace?

To properly inspect your crawlspace you have to inspect it from the perspective of a pest. This unfortunately means getting a little dirty. You will need to enter the crawlspace and inspect for current pests and remove them. Once your crawlspace is clear of pests you will need to go around and check all points of entry.

Yes, we said entry points! The maintenance is the same as for any other portion of your home. You simply need to make sure the pests have no way in and no incentive to be there and your job is done. Just be sure to take the time to check. Mice can and will work pretty hard to get in so it is important to closely inspect and test and strengthen every possible entry point to your crawlspace.

This is best done in the spring or fall when the weather is agreeable enough, but if not done properly you will find yourself on your belly in the snow patching mice holes in the middle of February. (Speaking as the pest control people who are on our bellies in the middle of February for this exact reason!)

Crawlspace Pest Control

Some pests can be removed by the homeowner – if they are willing, like spiders and silverfish. Other pests are best left to the professionals like disease carrying mice. And other pests still are best left to the experts of animal control, like raccoons, snakes, and bats!

If you inspect your crawlspace and you see obvious pest activity it is best to consult a pest control specialist. We offer free phone consultations to help you figure out the best course of action.