Although there are a wide variety of different reasons why pests are attracted to certain households, one of the most common is plumbing leaks and other related issues. This is due to the fact that water and the accessibility of it makes a building or home more appealing to pests and vermin. Even if you are fastidious about emptying and draining the sink after washing the dishes or emptying the bathtub after you’ve washed, rodents and insects can still find other parts of your property where they can find water.

Rodents, bugs and other home invaders can enter your home and find water at any point throughout your plumbing system, whether your garden hose, sewage line or your bathroom and kitchen faucets.

Plumbing Problems That Attract Pests

It is often the case that people don’t actually realize their home has a plumbing problem until they actually see signs of pests. There are some very common problems with plumbing though that can actually make it easier for pests such as rodents and insects to infest a property.

Most Common Sources Of Plumbing Leaks

Leaks in your plumbing system can happen anywhere, but often they occur in places that you can easily check just by looking. By carrying out routine inspections of these areas you will be able to detect any leaks early and reduce the risk of pests infested your home. If you just see one bug drinking at the little droplets of water you left after your bath or shower, it may not be a sign of an infestation. However, if you regularly catch several bugs in the same place this is more than likely a sign that you have a big pest problem on your hands. While visible leaks are easier to spot, it is not just visible leaks that attract pests.

Faucets

Some leaks happen in areas of the property that are harder to gain access to, like under your floorboards, behind the walls and even underground. Most commonly though, they do happen in the easier to access places. Worn washers can cause leaky kitchen and bathroom faucets. Rusting water control valves, fixtures or drains are all signs that there is leaking water somewhere.

Around And Underneath Sinks

When inspecting the hardware on sinks and the sinks themselves, check any cabinets you have and below and behind them if you can. Be sure to also check the sink trap or garbage disposal for any signs of moisture. You should contact a plumber if you do spot any as soon as possible, as they will be able to get to the bottom of where the leak is coming from.

Underneath Fridges And Freezers

Another common area you should regularly check for signs of moisture is underneath your fridge and freezer. If there is space beneath it, side a pan under to collect any water that may be there because of condensation and be sure to empty the pan regularly. For fridges with ice-makers, you need to check the line that runs to the freezer too as these are usually made from plastic and are susceptible to breaks and tears. Even just a minor tear in this line could produce the right volume of water to attract and satisfy a whole colony of pesky pests.

Other Appliances

While inspecting your fridge for signs of leaks, you should take the opportunity to look at all other appliances that are connected up to your plumbing systems, such as your dishwasher and washing machine. It is also worth checking plumbing pipe seals where they come in at the walls. There should be some sort of sealant, like insulation, rubber gaskets or metallic plates. This prevents pests from accessing your property. Any gaps in these sealants are an easy way for all kinds of pests to get into your home.

Remember To Check Outside Your Home

As leaks are possible both inside your household and outside it too, it is vital that you inspect the outside as well. Make sure the spigots on the exterior of the property are free of leaks and inspect any hoses or sprinklers you have for leaks. While inspecting the outside of your house, check your air conditioner for any signs of leaks. If the drainage lines to the air conditioner are blocked there will be a pool of water around your air con unit. Get in contact with an air conditioner repair business if there is any stagnant water close by and do what you can to disperse the water. You need to also ensure that the condensation pans are empty.

What Pests Are Attracted To Moisture And Water?

We have covered in a lot of detail the type of leaks and moisture issues you should regularly check for to prevent the risk of pest infestation in your home. But, what bugs and other pests are most attracted to water. The answer is that most are in some way attracted to it, therefore, where there are unwanted leaks – eventually, there will be pests. This includes the likes of:

• Termites
• Silverfish
• Rats
• Mice
• Rats
• Cockroaches
• Carpenter Ants
• Camel Crickets
• Book Lice

Signs Of Pests

Now that we have covered the kinds of pests that could be attracted to any leaks you may have in your home, visible or hard to spot, you are probably wondering how you check for signs that you may already have a pest invasion in your home. There are a number of different, but common signs of infestations.

Pests like rats, mice, and cockroaches are known to be more active in darker areas of buildings and at night. However, you may still catch a glimpse of them in the light of day. If you do though, it may be a sign that your pest problem is serious. So keep your eyes peeled.

Dead Bodies:

You should also be on the lookout for any dead bodies of pests that might have died after being attracted to a leakage. Check the crawlspace/basement and windowsills for bodies, particularly if you have recently found a leak or it had it repaired. If you find a number of bodies of the same species, this could be an indication that a colony of that pest or bug are living in or on your property.

Shredded Materials For Nests: 

Mice, rats and other vermin like them will build nests from the materials they find. Therefore, look for any shredded paper or fabric around areas where pests are likely to hide out, such as behind appliances and inside cupboards and cabinets.

Furniture Damage

Mice and rats have teeth that are constantly growing, which means they are always looking to chew on things. It doesn’t matter if it is sheet-rock, wood, wiring, plastic, insulation or even pipes – rodents will try and gnaw into it all. This means that they will not hesitate to chew on any furniture you have. If you spot any unexplained bite marks on table or chair legs, there is a strong possibility you have a rodent problem. Also be sure to check skirting boards, floorboards and furniture bases too.

Fabric Damage

Carpet beetles and garment moths are drawn particularly to things made from natural fabrics, like leather book bindings, upholstery, carpets, curtains, and rugs. However, fabric pests tend to damage woolen carpets the most. Woolen textiles that you dry clean regularly could still be damaged by these kinds of pests, if your home is under attack. The damage usually looks like irregularly shaped holes, in a similar way to leaves that have been eaten by caterpillars.

Bite Marks And Holes

Furthermore, any new holes in the floors or walls of your home may suggest you have a rodent problem. This is even more likely if you have spotted burrows in sections of your lawn where the grass is longer or around your garbage store.

Track Marks

Rodents tend to use the same pathways to and from their nests, but don’t restrict your search to floors because both mice and rats are excellent climbers. Look for any giveaway signs of urine, droppings, grease marks and footprints.

If you spot any of the above signs of leaks and signs of pests, it is important to deal with them by hiring professionals that can deal with the problems. Failing to do this, could cost you even more money in the long run as well as increasing the amount you will have to spend on repairs.

Last Updated on August 27, 2018 by Arco Plumbing Services