The Role Of Moisture In Attracting Pests

Water is a building block of life. All animals need it. Some need it more than others. For reference, an animal is anything in the animal kingdom, which includes insects and rodents. If you have a moisture problem, your home can become a beacon for pests because moisture attracts them. Join us as we look at the different ways moisture attracts pests and consider a few of the common pests that might target your home. Our focus will be on homes that have a crawl space, but if you don't have a crawl space, you can still use the information provided here to evaluate other moisture control issues such as clogged gutters, poor run-off, overgrown vegetation, etc. As always, we're here if you need us. Contact Harris Pest Control for general pest control or moisture control in Florence, Myrtle Beach, or elsewhere in our Pee Dee and Grand Strand service areas. 

How moisture attracts carpenter ants

Another insect that likes to find rotting wood in your home is the carpenter ant. These ants create galleries in wood to create their nests. While they don't eat wood, they like decaying wood because it is easier to tunnel through and they will target rotted areas of a home first.

Along with providing rotted wood in which carpenter ants want to establish their nests, moisture also provides a drink of water—and ants aren't the only insects that will come to drink from water sources provided by a moisture problem. This creates a third attractant. Carpenter ants eat insects. They are a source of protein for certain ant species.

How moisture attracts cockroaches

Most cockroaches have a strong preference for damp and humid environments. This is why roaches go by names like water bug and Palmetto bug. If you have a humid crawl space, cockroaches will thrive in that space.

Cockroaches will also find potential food sources in a damp space. They feed on insects, fungi, algae, and detritus. If you also have items stored in your crawl space, such as stacked wood, cockroaches will find tight spaces to squeeze into. This is another preference to consider.

How moisture attracts rodents

Rats and mice do well in a crawl space, even if it is dry. But a damp space is preferable. It is not commonly understood, but beavers aren't the only rodents that love water. Rats and mice do, too. In fact, some common names of rats are wharf rats, ship rats, and sewer rats. If you have puddles or humidity in your crawl space, all rodents will take notice.

Rodents also need to eat to survive. They may start out in the crawl space but that doesn't mean that's where they'll stay. In fact, they'll probably travel from that spot under the house to access the kitchen and other areas where they can find sources of food. 

What can you do about a damp crawl space?

Your Harris Pest Control service team provides crawl space encapsulation and other moisture control services in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions. We’re ready to help you turn your crawl space into a pest-free space. Crawl space encapsulation seals the space, allows for humidity control, and keeps pests out.

If you want to learn more about crawl space encapsulation or moisture control, contact us today.