Home invaded by roly-polies
Q: My home is about 20 years old. Until last year I had no problems with sow bugs. Now, they are literally everywhere in my house and are driving me nuts. The house is built on a concrete slab, and I think there might be a moisture problem attracting the bugs.
Can you give me more information about their lifestyle and how I can get rid of them?
A: Entomology is not within the scope of the home inspection profession. Therefore, the best I can offer are some nonprofessional observations and insights.
To begin, sow bugs (also known as roly-polies, pill bugs, woodlice and, unofficially dubbed by the House Detective, as entomological armadillos) are attracted to areas where there is a constant presence of moisture and a supply of decaying cellulose. Moist environments are essential to their survival. Thus, they are commonly found in wet woodpiles, in moist layers of leaves, or in wall cavities where plumbing leakage provides an inviting habitat.
When wet soil around a building is too close to the top of the foundation, sow bugs often find their way in, but they soon die if exposed to dry conditions within the building. Fortunately, sow bugs are not classified as wood destroying organisms, such as termites, although they do feed on wood that is already decayed.
To prevent sow bugs from entering your home, check the exterior for places with excessive moisture, for debris that would provide food and shelter to sow bugs, and for faulty grading around the building. If the invasion persists, contact a licensed exterminator.
Q: When we bought our home, the seller provided a home warranty for the first year. When the air conditioner stopped working, we filed a claim. The technician they sent tested the unit and said it merely needed cleaning and some additional coolant, both of which were not covered by the warranty. We paid for these repairs, but within a month the unit stopped working once more. Now the technician says we have a leaking refrigerant line and this is also not covered by the warranty. But leaking lines are not listed among the exclusions in the policy. We've tried contacting the warranty company, but they don't return our calls. What should we do?
A: Because the warranty company is not returning your calls, it would be interesting to try the following: Mail a certified letter to the warranty company, informing them they have a specified number of days to perform their duties according to the policy. Let them know that unless they do so, you will hire a licensed contractor to make repairs and you will then take their company to small claims court.
If you're lucky, this communication may spur the warranty company to take appropriate action. Otherwise, small claims judges typically look with disfavor upon companies who conduct business in the evasive manner you have described.
• Write Barry Stone at www.housedetective.com.
Distributed by Action Coast Publishing.