Last winter, I discovered I not only had a rodent (rat) infestation in the crawl space of my house, but I also had evidence of termites. I have some damage as well. At first, I had ballpark figures (not official quotes, and it was before anyone went under the house) of about $1500 to sort it out and repair the damage, but that figure quickly doubled and then some once it was discovered what was what.
As I live on social security disability and food stamps, you can imagine how heartbreaking/frustrating this news was to me. I don’t have any way to come up with that sort of money, outside of fundraising. I hate begging for money, but it seems as though it’s all I’ve been able to do these last several years.
I would give anything to have my health and my mobility back so that I could get a job and be independent… but sadly, that has not happened. I haven’t stopped trying, mind you! I keep getting knocked back down… but I am too stubborn to give up, so I will keep trying. For now, however, I do need some help, and I need a lot of it.
I have been running a GoFundMe fundraiser for several months now, and have been promoting it on social media to my friends and contacts there. I haven’t said much about it on here, as it does a number on my mental health to have to beg and grovel for help so much. I’ve put off posting on here in an attempt to sort of “forget” that I had this major problem going on. Out of sight, out of mind? Denial? Yeah – probably. I do know, however, that I need to get this issue addressed before the weather turns cold in the late autumn and the rats come back to roost. Right now, in the summer months, they tend not to hang out in there as much (or so the various exterminator companies I have spoken to have told me).
Rats carry disease. As cute as they are (and I think they are pretty cute), I cannot have them living in my house and doing all the damage to the wiring and insulation. Not to mention the feces. I am already medically compromised as it is, and suffer from respiratory issues as well. Having rodents in the crawlspace is not good for me at all.
I have found some folks who can humanely exterminate them and block off the access so I won’t have this problem again. I can also have the termites treated. I’ve tried to get it all from the same company, but around here it seems to be one or the other… or… they DO treat both, but not humanely. I don’t want that. I couldn’t live with myself. Call me far too empathetic, but I have enough problems with my mental health as it is – I don’t need to make it worse on myself.
Anyway… if you would like to help me out, the money raised in the GoFundMe fundraiser will go towards the rodent elimination, blocking access, and repairs to the damage that has been done… as well as getting someone out to deal with the termites (and that will be an ongoing, monthly fee to have someone come out regularly to prevent them and treat for insects as well). Any extra funds raised (if I am so lucky) would go towards materials for some vital repairs I need to have done on my front porch (rotting timber – railings and some uprights need to be replaced for safety issues – it is quite literally crumbling, and some of the rats have been living in the hollowed out recesses).
Given my health issues, it is essential that I strive to maintain a clean and sanitary home. Won’t you consider helping me to do just that?
GoFundMe to help Janni make her house safe.
Alternatively, I also have Venmo and PayPal, for those who prefer it.
Venmo is @JanEllenBall65, and you can get to my PayPal here…
I also have Zelle, for those whose banks do that one (no fees there!) You would need to contact me to arrange that, though. 🙂
Thank you!