Crawl spaces — at least the way they were traditionally designed — are at a high risk of attracting both moisture and pests. Most houses still have this old “wall vent” design which is supposed to prevent moisture, but is not as efficient at doing that as newer “encapsulated” designs. 

Here in the Triangle, we have a lot of newer homes that come with the encapsulated design, but many older, remodeled homes are still wall-vent style. If you have the older style, you will need to be on the lookout for some common signs that moisture and/or pests are present under your home. 

Common signs of moisture and pests in the crawl space

1. Visual sightings: The first and most obvious sign, whether of moisture or pests, is a visual sighting. If you can see standing water when you peer under the home, that is a sign of a major issue. This will not only lead to mold, mildew and rot, but will also invite in the other problem — pests. A visual sighting of pests coming or going from the crawl space is also an obvious sign of a crawl space in need of attention. 
2. Open access: Even if you do not see any small mammals blatantly coming or going, if there is a clear path for them, you may want to investigate further. The wall-vent itself can be an easy access for pests, but other holes and cracks in the foundation will work just as well. 
3. Improper drainage: When it rains, do you notice standing water along your foundation? Water is meant to be drawn away from your home quickly by the gutters and grading. If it is directed toward the home, the crawl space is likely to see moisture build-up. 
4. Sounds: While moisture problems aren’t likely to lead to any noises, the pest infestations can bring a wide-variety of sounds. Rats and mice often bring squeaking and scurrying. Raccoons, foxes, opossums and even insects can also make identifiable noises. Don’t ignore sounds or convince yourself you imagined them. Get them checked out, as soon as possible. 
5. Smells: Maybe the most unpleasant sign of problems in the crawl space is foul odors. Animal waste is a common cause, but if pests live and die in the space for generations, their carcasses will cause an awful stench as they rot. Moisture problems can even lead to bad smells from rotting, mold and mildew. 

How to heal your crawl space problems

Maybe you’ve found yourself nodding to a few of these signs. You’ve seen, heard and even smelled signs of moisture and pests in your crawl space, and now you’re wondering how to be free of them so you once again can feel comfortable with that hidden space beneath your feet. Critter Control of the Triangle offers services for both of these problems — moisture and pests in crawl spaces. 

Another thing to consider is having your crawl space “encapsulated.” This process brings the old wall-vent style crawl space to the modern day by preventing moisture coming in from the outside or from the ground upwards. It’s the best way to not only stop any current problems, but to prevent future problems in your crawl space as well. 

Call Critter Control of the Triangle at 919-382-0651 if you live in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Wake Forest, Fuquay-Varina or the surrounding areas.