With the nation firmly in the grip of summer, one price comparison website suggests British homeowners could find their property is becoming an increasing refuge for rodents, bugs and other pests.
Indeed, figures from Confused.com reveal that over a third (36 per cent) of people have had such unwanted guests.
However, getting to grips with DIY could help to prevent this from happening, as the firm suggests guttering is checked and that any broken drain covers are either replaced or repaired.
Furthermore, any gaps in brickwork or pipes should be sealed.
Darren Black, head of home insurance at Confused.com, states that as all forms of pests can cause damage to the home and garden “it is important people know how to spot signs of boarding beasts and more importantly how to get rid of them”.
People carrying out outdoor DIY projects over the next few weeks could also be well advised to consider the threat of subsidence.
With temperatures this summer predicted to be higher than average, esure claimed that an increasing number of homes could suffer from such damage.