Packrat/Hoarding Behavior
Hoarding is becoming more prevalent throughout the United States. Also known as being a “pack rat”, it is a disease, a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that can put the occupants and others at risk. Hoarding is a behavior that results in the uncontrolled collecting of anything including newspapers, clothing, food or animals. It can be confined to a single room, or expand to include the entire residence and property. In its worst forms, compulsive hoarding can cause fires, unclean conditions (e.g. rat and roach infestations), injuries from tripping on clutter and other health and safety hazards.
In many cases, the mess is simply a gradual build-up over time, until it gets to such a state that the occupants simply can't cope. They just stop trying because they are overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the mess and then it really gets out of hand. The result is a mountain of debris that can attract rodents, bugs, mold, fungus and a host of other undesirable pests. It can be a health hazard to the occupants, their guests, and even the surrounding neighborhood. The clutter can also be a fire hazard, posing an immediate danger to the residence and possible collateral damage to close neighboring residences.
We at Garner Environmental Services understand this and empathize with our clients, realizing all the while the dangers involved in this type of setting. We will work with the occupant to ensure that family heirlooms and truly valuable items are retained and properly cared for.
Garner’s team of professionals is properly trained and fully certified to safely remove and dispose of the unwanted items (furniture, garbage, carpet, sharps, etc.) and return the residence to a safe, comfortable, useful home that no longer presents a danger.