Expert Animal Damage Repairs & Barriers Installation

Many people fear being invaded by wildlife. After all, animal damage to your business or home can be costly, not to mention dangerous. Yet animals are rarely a direct threat to humans. It’s most often their waste that spreads disease. A squirrel, raccoon, or opossum problem can also invite insects, including fleas, and cause damage to building materials and electrical or gas lines. That means an animal problem, left unchecked, can lead to anything from bugs to power outages, to fires.

What Does Animal Damage Cost Homes and Businesses?

Whether an animal is living under your home or you have raccoons in the attic, you not only need to consider the cost of animal removal. Animal damage repairs are necessary to undo the damage done to chimneys, roof vents, and even foundations. The cost of repairs varies greatly. Factors affecting cost include:

• The size of the animal: Raccoons can damage entire chimneys, squirrels can damage roof vents beyond repair, and a skunk can burrow into the ground under your foundation.
• Number of animals: If a raccoon is residing in your chimney, it can give birth to five or more animals, which will be crowded into a small space.
• Nature of the damage: Attic decontamination, attic restoration, and deck, shed, and siding repair are just some repairs you may need following an animal infestation.

According to Angie’s List, animal damage repair services cost an average of $667.68 in 2013. Animal removal services alone cost from $180 to $507, on average, according to Home Advisor. The costliest animals to remove are squirrels and raccoons, which can cost you anywhere from $200 to $1,500. The actual cost varies for each home or business affected, so it’s very important to consult with a wildlife removal specialist.

Are Animal Damage Repairs Covered by Homeowner’s Insurance?

In general, standard home insurance policies cover damage caused by wild animals, unless it’s caused by rodents. Since raccoons, skunks, opossums, and bats are not rodents, your insurance should cover any damage they cause. However, this damage must have occurred during a single event. If it occurred over time, your insurer can deny your claim due to a lack of preventative action.

Your homeowner’s insurance policy may kick in if you find animal-related damage upon returning from vacation. If you notice anything unusual, for example, like unpleasant odors or scratching sounds from the ceiling, later discovering raccoons have started a family in your attic, the insurance company may or may not interpret this as delaying preventative action.

DAMAGE

On the other hand, damages and losses associated with fire should be covered, regardless if the cause was a wild animal or not. If there’s a lot of wildlife in your area, research what kinds of coverages are available.

About Animal Capture Wildlife Control

Animal Capture Wildlife Control can remove raccoons, squirrels, skunks, opossums, bats, snakes, and even cats. We remove dead animals from within your walls and from attics and under floors. Humane methods of trapping are used. Our animal removal experts use live cage traps. We never poison or kill an animal.

For more information on our wildlife control, professional home repairs, and barrier installation services that keep your home protected, contact us at 310-551-0901 today!