Pests can be more than just a nuisance- they can pose a serious health risk to you and your family. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they have a pest problem until it’s too late.
This then leads to a search for relief from these pests. According to data compiled by Native Pest Management, US residents are predominantly searching for pest control solutions for bed bugs, termites and ants.
If you want to protect your home from pests, you need to be vigilant. To help you identify a potential infestation, here are five signs to look for.
1. Seeing Bugs or Rodents in the Home
If you see signs of pests in your home, it’s important to take action right away. Pests can carry diseases, damage property, and contaminate food.
In some cases, they can also pose a fire hazard. The first step is to identify the type of pest you’re dealing with.
This will help you determine the best course of action. Common household pests include ants, rats, cockroaches, and termites.
Once you’ve identified the pest, you can take steps to get rid of it.
If you see any pests in your home, that’s a surefire sign that you have a problem.
Believe it or not, seeing ladybugs in the home can also be a sign of an issue. That’s because ladybugs, though not detrimental themselves, can be an indicator of other pests in the home.
If ladybugs are present, it is likely that there are also other insects present.
These insects may be feeding on the ladybugs, or on other insects in the home. As a result, it is important to be vigilant for ladybugs and other pests.
And don’t assume that just because you only see one or two pests, you’re in the clear – remember, these creatures don’t like being out in the open, around humans.
If you see them, there’s a strong chance there are plenty more that are crowding it out into open spaces.
One more note. Seeing pest body parts in your home is another sign of a pest infestation. These body parts can include droppings, shed skin, egg casings, and dead bugs.
If you see any of these things in your home, it’s important to take action immediately. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will become.
2. A Weird Smell You Just Can’t Identify
An unpleasant smell is often the first sign that you have a pest infestation. For example, many people with cockroach infestations notice a musty smell.
Even if you don’t have a cockroach problem, you might notice the smell of stale or rotten food.
Pests often carry away food and leave small bits behind. Pest droppings and urine can reek to high heaven, too.
So if you notice a weird smell that you can’t identify, it’s important to take action right away.
The longer you wait, the worse the infestation will become. Ignoring the problem will also make it more difficult and expensive to eliminate the pests later on.
So, if you notice a strange smell in your home, don’t hesitate to call a professional exterminator.
They will be able to quickly identify the source of the problem and recommend the best course of action.
3. Holes or Damage Near the Exterior of the Home
Any damage to the exterior or interior of your home should be investigated immediately by pest control services, as it could be a sign of a pest infestation.
Holes in walls, floors, or ceilings could indicate that rodents or other small animals are tunneling through your home, looking for food or nesting material.
Wood damage can also be a sign of an infestation, as termites and other insects feast on wood.
If you tap on a piece of wood and it sounds hollow, it may have been hollowed out by pests.
Don’t wait until the damage is severe – if you see any signs of pests in or around your home, call a pest control professional right away.
4. You’re Hearing Things
If you’re hearing things that you can’t explain, it could be a sign of a pest infestation.
Pests can create a lot of noise as they travel around in your walls or ceiling. If you hear tapping, scratching, or scurrying noises, it’s important to investigate right away.
Pest infestations can cause structural damage to your home, and they can also spread diseases.
If you think you have a pest problem, the best thing to do is to contact a professional pest control company.
5. Finding Pest Droppings
Pest droppings are one of the most common signs of an infestation.
Different pests leave behind different types of droppings, so it’s important to identify the type of droppings in order to determine the type of pest.
For example, cockroaches typically leave behind small, dark-colored droppings, while rats tend to leave behind larger, lighter-colored droppings.
In addition to identifying the type of pest, it’s also important to identify the severity of the infestation.
A small number of droppings may indicate a few isolated pests, while a large number of droppings may indicate a more widespread infestation.
If you suspect that you have a pest problem, it’s important to contact a professional for help.
A trained exterminator will be able to identify the type of pest and develop a treatment plan accordingly.
What to Do if You Notice Signs of a Pest Infestation
If you notice signs of a pest infestation in your home, the first thing you should do is call a professional pest management company.
Companies like Reliant Pest Management have trained technicians who will be able to identify the type of pests and recommend the best course of treatment.
In addition, they will be able to provide you with tips on how to prevent future infestations.
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s time to call in the professionals.
Pest control experts can help identify the type of pests you’re dealing with, assess the extent of the infestation, and recommend a course of action.
Don’t wait until things get worse – contact pest control today!