Pest Infestations

Keep the creepy crawlies out of your space!

Repair Solutions For Crawl Space Pest Damage

Your Go-To For Texas Crawl Space Foundation Repair

Beetles, silverfish and ants, oh my! Texas is home to many different species of animals and bugs, many of which are admired by nature enthusiasts. Local organisms make the Lone Star State a unique place, but they can also create issues with your crawl space. These problems can escalate if an infestation occurs beneath your home.

Of all the crawl space repair companies in the area, G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair stands as a trusted provider of repair services. As a family-owned and operated business, we understand the importance of protecting your household! You can trust our experts for efficient repairs and preventative measures when pests infest your space.

How Can Pests Enter Your Crawl Space?

Your crawl space is a dark area that’s prone to collecting moisture and even mold and mildew. These factors — paired with the little human activity inside of it — make it a perfect shelter for local critters. Pest populations can infiltrate this area through small cracks and gaps around the space. 

Openings beneath the soil can also serve as an entry point for certain species. Preventative measures and repairs are critical for preventing infestation and damage to your home. 

Common Crawl Space Pests In Texas

Understanding the insects and animals that can enter this area is essential. This knowledge can help you monitor your home for infestation signs so you can take the next steps. Once these pests are removed, our team can perform repair solutions to correct existing damage.

A few common species that can invade your space are: 

  • Rats and mice
  • Cockroaches
  • Wasps and bees
  • Camel crickets
  • Centipedes
  • Termites
  • Ant colonies

G.L. Hunt understands that the thought of these animals in your home may give you the heebie-jeebies. However, the thought of the damage they can cause is downright horrifying. Trust our experts for reliable repair solutions in your Texas home!

How To Keep Animals Out Of Crawl Spaces

Pest populations can be detrimental to your crawl space if they aren’t identified in a timely fashion. To avoid issues such as animal waste and wood damage, preventative measures are essential.

G.L. Hunt offers a few solutions to prevent pests from invading this area.

Seal Gaps And Cracks

No matter how small they seem, it’s best to seal any existing cracks and gaps around your crawl space. Many insects are capable of entering through these impairments. Surprisingly, cockroaches can fit into openings as small as 1.5 millimeters!

Rodents are equally as skilled at fitting into smaller spaces. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mice can fit into pencil-sized holes, which are usually six millimeters in diameter. Closing off these openings is an efficient way to prevent potential infestations in your home.

Install A Dehumidifier

Many insects — like spiders and mosquitos — are drawn to moist environments. These critters can easily find ways into crawl spaces, creating habitats within them.

To make this area unappealing to pests, consider installing a dehumidifier in the space. This technology will regulate the moisture levels and prevent pests from infiltrating the area.

Schedule Encapsulation Services

An encapsulation service is another way to regulate moisture levels beneath your home. A durable plastic liner is placed on your walls and floors, serving as a waterproof barrier. This material protects against moisture and pooling water, which can often form from flooding.

Encapsulation prevents your home’s structure from experiencing water damage. This process helps regulate a safe environment for you and an unsuitable environment for many insects and animals. 

A dimly lit crawl space with exposed soil, scattered debris, and a work light set up for inspection

Efficient Crawl Space Repair Services In Texas

G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair has a team of experts ready to serve you! Our company has proudly served Texas homeowners since 1987. Our contractors have experience and a dedication to serving you, making us the top choice for your repair needs.

We specialize in foundation services that leave your home in excellent condition. Contact us today to learn more about our repair methods and how they can combat pest damage in your home!

FAQs

What Is A Crawl Space?

A crawl space is a type of home foundation that creates a shallow, unfinished space between the ground and the floor of your house — usually ranging from one to three feet in height. Unlike basements, crawl spaces aren’t designed for regular human occupancy, but they serve several important functions.

Crawl spaces are commonly found in homes built on pier-and-beam foundations, especially in regions with high moisture levels or expansive clay soil, like Texas. Their main advantages include:

  • Improved ventilation beneath the home
  • Easier access to plumbing, HVAC systems, and electrical wiring
  • Protection from flooding compared to slab foundations

However, crawl spaces must be properly sealed, insulated and ventilated to avoid common problems such as:

A well-maintained crawl space supports your home’s structural integrity, indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

How Do I Know If I Need Crawl Space Repair?

There are several warning signs that may indicate you need crawl space repair — and most of them can be spotted without crawling under your home. These include:

  • Musty odors indoors, especially near floors or vents
  • Sagging or uneven floors
  • Cracks in interior walls, particularly near windows or door frames
  • High indoor humidity or condensation on windows
  • Increased pest activity, like insects or rodents
  • Visible mold or mildew on baseboards or flooring
  • Standing water or mud near the foundation

You may also notice rising energy bills, which could point to poor insulation or air leakage from the crawl space. If you suspect an issue, a professional inspection can identify whether it’s due to moisture, structural problems or foundation settling — and whether repairs are needed to protect your home and health.

What Causes Crawl Space Problems In Texas?

Texas homes are especially vulnerable to crawl space issues due to a combination of climate and soil conditions. Common causes include:

  • Expansive clay soils — Texas soil expands when wet and contracts during droughts, which can cause foundations and piers to shift, leading to structural damage.
  • Humidity and rain — Frequent moisture can enter crawl spaces through vents, poorly sealed perimeters or ground vapor, promoting mold, mildew and rot.
  • Poor drainage — Inadequate grading, clogged gutters or missing vapor barriers can allow water to collect around and beneath the home.
  • Pest intrusion — Open vents or small gaps in your crawl space give easy access to rodents, termites and insects — all of which can damage insulation and structural wood.
  • Improper construction or aging — Older homes or poorly built crawl spaces may lack the necessary insulation, sealing or ventilation systems to keep moisture and air under control.

These factors make regular inspection and maintenance critical in Texas. Without intervention, small problems can turn into costly repairs — affecting your home’s structure, comfort and air quality.

What Are The Steps To Insulate A Crawl Space?

Insulating a crawl space requires careful planning and should always begin with a professional assessment of the area’s current condition. The process includes several key steps:

  1. Inspect and clean the area — Remove all debris, inspect for mold or standing water and address any plumbing leaks or foundation issues.
  2. Control moisture first — Moisture problems must be solved before insulation. This may involve grading, sump pumps or installing vapor barriers.
  3. Seal off vents and gaps — Crawl space vents and air gaps can allow outdoor air, pests and moisture inside. Sealing with caulk, spray foam or panels is necessary.
  4. Choose the right insulation type:
    • Rigid foam board is commonly used along foundation walls for its moisture resistance and high R-value.
    • Spray foam offers a tight seal and works well around irregular shapes or tight areas.
    • Fiberglass insulation, though cheaper, is often discouraged in humid climates due to mold risk
  5. Install a vapor barrier — If not already present, a vapor barrier should be installed on the floor to prevent moisture from the soil from entering the crawl space.
  6. Add a dehumidifier — In especially humid climates, a dehumidifier helps regulate moisture levels long-term.

At G.L. Hunt, we specialize in climate-appropriate crawl space insulation designed to improve energy efficiency while protecting your home from moisture-related damage.

What Does It Mean To Encapsulate A Crawl Space?

Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing off the crawl space from outside air and ground moisture to create a clean, controlled environment beneath your home. It is a more advanced and comprehensive solution than simple insulation.

Our encapsulation process involves:

  1. Clearing and cleaning — We remove any debris, old insulation and standing water from the space.
  2. Repairs and moisture correction — Addressing issues like wood rot, foundation cracks or mold is essential before sealing.
  3. Vapor barrier installation — We install a heavy-duty polyethylene vapor barrier across the crawl space floor and up the walls. Seams are tightly sealed to ensure complete coverage.
  4. Sealing gaps and vents – All exterior vents, gaps and openings are sealed to block out humid air and pests.
  5. Insulating the walls — Insulation is applied to the crawl space walls to maintain indoor temperature control.
  6. Adding a drainage system (if needed) — French drains or sump pumps may be installed to manage groundwater.
  7. Installing a dehumidifier — This helps maintain ideal humidity levels and prevents mold growth.

Encapsulation transforms a damp, musty crawl space into a clean, dry, energy-efficient zone that improves indoor air quality and reduces long-term repair costs.

What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation?

Crawl space encapsulation is a comprehensive sealing system that protects your home from ground moisture, outside humidity and temperature swings. Unlike basic repairs or insulation, encapsulation provides full environmental control in the crawl space.

Key features of G.L. Hunt’s encapsulation system include:

  • A reinforced plastic vapor barrier made of durable polyethylene, professionally applied to the floor, walls and sometimes ceiling
  • Air sealing of vents and gaps to stop unwanted airflow and pest entry
  • Wall insulation to improve thermal efficiency and reduce energy loss
  • Optional sump pumps or drainage mats to manage groundwater
  • Dehumidification systems to regulate humidity and prevent mold

Encapsulation not only improves your home’s indoor air quality and energy efficiency but also protects the structural integrity of your foundation.

How To Get Rid Of Mold In My Crawl Space?

Mold in your crawl space is a serious issue that can affect your home’s structure and your family’s health. We strongly recommend against DIY mold removal due to the complexity and health risks involved.

Here’s how our experts at G.L. Hunt handle crawl space mold removal:

  • Inspection and identification — We perform a thorough inspection to locate mold colonies and identify moisture sources.
  • Moisture elimination — Standing water, leaks or high humidity must be addressed before remediation. We fix plumbing issues and improve drainage or ventilation.
  • Mold remediation — Using professional-grade antimicrobial treatments and scrubbers, we safely eliminate mold from wood, insulation and other surfaces.
  • Encapsulation and prevention — To stop mold from returning, we recommend encapsulating the crawl space and installing a dehumidifier to regulate humidity levels.

By choosing G.L. Hunt, you get long-lasting solutions that treat the root cause — not just the symptoms — of mold problems.

How To Dry Out A Crawl Space?

Drying out a damp crawl space is essential to prevent mold, wood rot and pest infestations. G.L. Hunt uses a multi-step process to safely and effectively dry crawl spaces:

  • Identify the moisture source — We check for plumbing leaks, drainage issues and ground moisture seeping through walls or floors.
  • Remove standing water — If water is present, we use pumps, wet vacuums or drainage systems to remove it quickly.
  • Install crawl space fans or ventilation — Temporary air movement can help dry out the space, especially in early remediation stages.
  • Deploy industrial-grade dehumidifiers — Our high-capacity dehumidifiers pull excess moisture from the air and maintain healthy humidity levels long-term.
  • Use vapor barriers and drainage mats — Prevent future moisture intrusion by sealing the space with a plastic vapor barrier and managing groundwater.

Once dry, we recommend encapsulation and insulation to keep the crawl space moisture-free and energy-efficient.

Will Crawl Space Repair Disrupt My Daily Life?

In most cases, crawl space repair causes minimal disruption to your everyday activities — especially when handled by a professional team with efficient systems in place.

Here’s what you can typically expect:

  • Work is performed outside and beneath the home, meaning you won’t have contractors inside your living space.
  • You may hear some construction noise or vibration during the day, especially during insulation, encapsulation or structural reinforcement.
  • Limited yard access may be required for equipment, materials or trenching — especially for drainage work or foundation pier installation.
  • If mold remediation or extensive repairs are involved, temporary relocation may be recommended in rare cases, particularly if there are health concerns.

Our team at G.L. Hunt is committed to respecting your space and minimizing disruption, so you can go about your day with as little interference as possible. We also provide clear timelines and daily progress updates, so there are no surprises.

Will Crawl Space Repair Reduce My Utility Bills?

Yes — crawl space repair and encapsulation can significantly lower your utility bills by improving energy efficiency and eliminating hidden air leaks.

Here’s how:

  • Sealing and insulating the crawl space reduces air exchange between the inside and outside of your home, so your HVAC system doesn’t work as hard.
  • Moisture control prevents the damp air that makes cooling systems run longer during summer months.
  • Encapsulation and dehumidification stabilize indoor air quality and temperature, improving comfort and reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling.
  • Repairing ductwork leaks (common in crawl spaces) prevents conditioned air from escaping.

In fact, homeowners in Texas who invest in professional crawl space repairs can see noticeable improvements in monthly utility costs, especially during extreme summer heat or colder winters.

Other Common Crawl Space Problems

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