Rat problem and more

[Vaishaag Panegal]

Hey BP!

I've been in a townhouse in Charlottesville, VA for over a year now and we decided to move out and buy another property in Raleigh, NC. We intend on keeping this property as a long term rental. While we're under contract for a property in NC, we're facing an unforeseen event in our current townhome-

A rat got in from somewhere and chewed on my water supply line that enters the dishwasher. This created a leak overnight and a big water damage to my basement. Entire basement has to be redone. Travelers Insurance says that a rodent problem won’t be covered but a water damage will be. I had no idea there’s a rodent in the home until this fiasco happened. Is there any way I can ask them to pay for the rodent damage?

Restoration crew completed the drying part but haven’t started on the repair work yet.

About the rodent, I tried to get rid of the rat (or rats) myself by putting snap traps. The rat has no interest in the trap at all. I tried changing baits and even tried poison and glue trap. It’s now day 9 with the rat in the kitchen area (I saw him crawl once). He has chewed up my pantry door and used the insulation from my dishwasher to build nest somewhere.

Terminix quoted $1080 for a 2 year period and Orkin gave an estimate of $1940. A local company gave $385 for a one time exclusion (sealing gaps and entry points) and to install bait stations.

The orkin inspector said it’s coming from the attic and he saw droppings there. He recommended sanitizing the attic, doing an attic top off with new orkin borate cellulose fiber insulation since my insulation is not meeting R-38 standards as per Virginia rule (mine is R-16). This is a 2018 built townhouse! This is why the $1940 and Orkin said this will take care of the rodent problem once and for all. Can I trust them on this?

The closing date for my Raleigh home is March 28 and time is ticking buy. I need to get rid of the rat/rats, seal entry points, check for further damages, have the restoration company finish their work, market my townhome as a rental, get good tenants and then move to Raleigh.

What would you do in this situation? Really appreciate the help in advance!