Nobody wants to share their home with uninvited guests, especially when those guests are insects or rodents. These critters aren’t just annoying—they can be outright destructive and even harmful to your health.
It is crucial to recognize the early signs of an infestation and take swift action. Timely pest control is not just about dealing with an immediate problem; it’s about protecting your home and family from the greater risks that come with serious infestations. Keep reading to learn more about the tops signs you need pest control!
Sign #1: Visible Pests
Spotting pests in your home more than once in a while should raise a red flag about a potential infestation. While a single ant or spider might not spell trouble, frequent sightings can indicate a serious issue.
For instance, seeing cockroaches during the day suggests you have a large population outgrowing their current food supply, as these nocturnal critters typically stay hidden. Likewise, if you catch sight of rodents like mice or rats, there’s a good chance they’ve established a nest and found multiple ways into your house.
Ants can also pose problems, even if they seem harmless at first. Regular trails of ants to food sources signal a nearby colony. Even pests like termites can make their presence known through swarms or discarded wings near doors and windowsills.
Most pests operate in silence, so if you spot signs of a pest hanging around, that’s your sign to call us!
Sign #2: Pest Droppings
Spotting pest droppings in your home is a surefire sign you need pest control providing insights into what creatures you’re dealing with and how serious the problem might be.
Here’s how to recognize different types of pest droppings:
Rodent Droppings: Do you think you have a rodent infestation? Look for small, dark pellets. Mouse droppings are tiny, about a quarter-inch, and spindle-shaped, while rat droppings are larger, blunter, and oblong.
Cockroach Droppings: Cockroach droppings can vary but are generally small and dark. They may appear as oblong pellets or resemble pepper specks. You’ll typically find these in areas where food is consumed or prepared and near nesting sites.
Termite Droppings: Also known as frass, termite droppings look like tiny, wood-colored pellets, often found near damaged wood like windowsills and doorframes. Spotting these can help you catch a termite problem before it leads to severe damage.
Bed Bugs: Their droppings are not pellets but rust-colored spots on bedding and furniture, which are telltale signs of their feeding spots and nearby hiding places.
If you find any of these droppings in your home, it’s time to call in pest control experts. We can offer a professional assessment and swiftly tackle the problem!
Sign #3: Property Damage
Rodents need to gnaw to wear down their ever-growing teeth, causing significant damage to furniture, electrical wiring, and your personal items. Their sharp teeth can easily tear through materials, leaving behind noticeable holes and extensive damage.
Plus, these pests often build nests from the materials they shred, such as paper or fabric. You can usually find these covert nesting spots in secluded, behind appliances, in wall cavities, or in attics.
But rodents aren’t the only culprits; termites and carpenter ants can silently devastate your home’s structure, hollowing out wood from the inside, which compromises the integrity of the building.
To detect and manage these pests, look out for the following signs:
- Damaged Wiring: Exposed wires, flickering lights, or unusual electrical issues could indicate power outages, short circuits, and fires.
- Visible Trails: Check for trails of droppings, gnaw marks, or shredded materials.
- Holes and Cracks: Inspect walls, floors, and ceilings for holes or cracks. Pests often use these openings to access your home or cause them by tunneling and foraging.
- Wood Damage: Tap wooden surfaces to check for hollow sounds, which may indicate termite infestations.
Sign #4: Sounds and Smells
Some of the signs you need pest control may be subtle. You can often identify infestations by paying attention to less obvious signs, like unusual sounds and odors. Many pests are more active at night, so you might hear scratching, gnawing, or movement in the walls or ceilings as rodents scurry around.
Cockroaches and some spiders also prefer darkness, venturing out to feed when the lights go out. Similarly, silverfish slink around kitchen and bathroom floors during the night. If you start noticing more activity or noise after dark, or if turning on the light sends little creatures scattering, it’s a strong sign that pests have made your home theirs, and it might be time to call in pest control.
Similarly, detecting a persistent musty odor or an unexplained ammonia-like scent, especially in rarely used spaces, might indicate the presence of mice or cockroaches. The waste products from these pests, including their droppings and urine, can emit strong, unpleasant odors that are hard to ignore.
These sensory clues are often early signs that you need pest control. It’s crucial not to overlook random noises or smells, hoping the problem will resolve itself. Without timely intervention, destructive pests can cause significant damage, essentially eating you out of your house and home!
Sign #5: Physical Symptoms
When dealing with pests, your home can suffer damage, as can your health. Certain pests are known for their destructive habits, biting humans and potentially triggering allergic reactions.
For pests, no bite is the same. For instance, bed bug bites often appear as small, red, itchy welts in a line or cluster, usually on areas of skin exposed while sleeping. Flea bites are typically found on the lower legs and ankles, marked by tiny, red, raised dots. Mosquito bites are puffy and softer and can appear randomly on the body.
Some individuals may even experience severe allergic reactions to bites, experiencing swelling, redness, rash, or even anaphylaxis in rare cases. If you experience difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the face and lips after a bite, contact a doctor immediately.
Pests like cockroaches and dust mites are also notorious for worsening respiratory conditions. These pests can leave behind feces, body parts, and other airborne debris, exacerbating asthma and other respiratory issues. Symptoms triggered by pest allergens include persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
Found Signs You Need Pest Control? Contact Us!
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, it’s time to take action and protect your home and health. Our experienced pest control team can handle any infestation, big or small. We’ll work with you to eliminate unwanted guests and implement preventative measures to keep your home pest-free.
Whether pests cause unusual noises, visible damage, or health symptoms, we’re here to help. Don’t let pests make your living space their playground. Contact us today!
