Pests are the worst roommates. They’re messy, they smell, they eat all your food without asking, they never wash the dishes, and when it’s time to pay the rent, they’re nowhere to be found.
It’s no small wonder you’d rather not share your living space with them, but professional pest control sounds so expensive. Can you really afford to call in the experts? The real question is, can you afford not to? Here’s a rundown of what a pest infestation in Massachusetts can really cost without intervention.
Property damage. Nearly any pest can cause damage to your home, resulting in costly repairs. Rodents can chew through wood, electrical wires, even plumbing and gas pipes, causing flooding or sparks and leaving your home open to further infestation. They also love insulation and can quickly contaminate attics and basements with droppings, causing poor air quality.
Wood-destroying insects such as termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles compromise structural integrity as they make their way through wood, eating, nesting, and reproducing. Not only is wood expensive to repair and replace, this damage can expose electrical wires and gas lines, which is a problem no one wants to deal with.
Health risks. Pests have no regard for personal hygiene, and almost all pests pose a health risk to people and pets. In addition to contaminating the air you breathe, rats and mice leave droppings, urine, saliva, and fur in their wake that can transfer diseases from various surfaces. Roaches carry salmonella and dysentery among other pathogens that can cause serious illness. Some pests may lay eggs in food, not only posing health risks but costing money when the food must be disposed of.
It’s not all about sanitation, though: Mosquitoes and ticks transfer disease when they feed on hosts, roaches and bed bugs can cause allergic reactions, and bee stings can be life-threatening. Overall, it’s just not worth taking your chances with a pest problem.
Fabric damage. Many pests have a penchant for materials commonly found in homes. Carpet beetles, moths, crickets, and silverfish, among others, are big fans of paper, silk, cotton, wool, and linen. They’ll rip and chew at clothing, rugs, curtains, stored items, bedding, you name it—and because they don’t have a designated bathroom area, they can leave, ahem, residue and stains behind.
Mental health risks. Pest infestations aren’t only a threat to your home, belongings, and physical health. Fighting what feels like a never-ending uphill battle can be exhausting. It can feel like you’ll never get your home back; sometimes just when you think things are under control, there goes a mouse running across your kitchen floor. Some infestations have been reported as the cause of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It’s emotionally taxing, and that’s no way to feel in your own home.
So yes, you may initially balk at the idea of paying a professional. But the monetary costs of repairing damage to property, replacing possessions, attempts at DIY solutions, and medical bills add up quickly—and the physical and psychological consequences simply aren’t worth it. Call Burgess Pest at the first sign of a problem; we’ll provide a free inspection and estimate, then evict your unwanted roommates and keep them from coming back.
