You are responsible for the mortgage, taxes, and utilities. You put food on the table, keep up with maintence and take great pains to tastefully furnish your home. Unaware you go your merry way as unwanted guests, one by one, are taking up reside somewhere in your home and doing so rent free. They can be extremely persistent, tend to arrive unannounced and when you become aware of their presence it is usually to your shock and dismay. No we are not talking about your mother-in-law or down-on-their luck relatives that feel you have something to offer in their time of need. What we are referring to here are critters.
Snakes in the basement, bats in the soffit, raccoons in the attic, mice behind the cabinets, termites in the floor, birds in the chimney, squirrels in the wall, spiders in the corners, carpenter bees in the columns, meal moths in the pantry, skunks in the crawl space, mold in the shower, you get the idea. There is an endless parade of unwelcome visitors looking to capitalize on your oblivious hospitality. There is nothing more embarrassing than having one or more of these unwanted tenants making a random appearance for invited friends/family to observe. The rumor mill can go into overtime referencing biblical type plagues and your house keeping abilities
From the moment construction started on your home these forces of nature started circling your digs assessing it like a raiding war party circling a remote prairie fort. They are relentless and it is not if, but when, they succeed in breaking down through your defenses and lay claim to your piece of the American dream. The battle for your home is a continuous never ending war. If your defenses are not up to the onslaught the tiniest weak spot will become open flood gates.
Your home provides warmth and sanctuary from the elements while providing an enclave to raise a family. All manner of creatures view your home the same way you do. Your best defense is diligence and a tight envelope barrier. You can lock the door and stop answering the phone to avoid relatives. It is not so simple with things that go bump in the night. Periodically walk your homes perimeter and assess any potential problem areas from the foundation to the ridge of the roof. Make mental notes of changes or anything unusual both inside and out. Become your own detective and looks for clues. Not all incursions are immediately obvious but the snail trail of subtle indications and signs are there as you need to think like a critter. What would you do to gain access and what would indicate your presence. The best time to deal with a problem is when it is detected. The cost savings can be significant by catching something early. Small issues tend to not stay small. Ignore at your own peril