Pests can cause damage to furniture, wooden structures, and fabric materials such as carpets and clothes. Also, they can cause electrical damage, leading to short circuits, electrical outages, or even fires. In addition to the physical damages, pests also pose a health risk. Most of them are disease and allergen carriers and can cause major health problems in your household.
One of the survival techniques employed by pest is being “cryptobiotic” which means to live and move in secret, so many times the issue is not discovered until it is well established, so being vigilant is very important to catching issues early on, when it is easier to eliminate.
To avoid such problems, make sure to handle pest infestation as soon as it happens. However, most pests will hide in the attic, under sinks, pantries, garage, crevices, and crawl spaces, and their existence is only noticeable after extensive damage has occurred. To identify pest infestation early, learn the signs to look out for. This guide explores the telltale signs that you may have pests in your home.
Pest Droppings
Pest droppings are the most common and obvious sign of pest infestation. Depending on the pest, you can notice defecations in their territory, activity site, home’s edges, or the basement or attic. Pest droppings serve as an early warning notifying of possible population outbreaks and health hazards in your home.
Every pest has unique droppings. To be sure of the pest you have, research the type, size, and shape of different pest droppings. For instance, rodent droppings are small, elongated dark brown pellets. If you can’t fully identify the kind of pest, contact a pest control company for a thorough inspection.
Odd Smells and Sound
Pest comes with unpleasant smells due to their pheromones, natural odors, droppings and urine. Also, you may notice a foul smell around your home if pests die in concealed areas. These stinky smells not only make your home uncomfortable to live in but also pose a danger to your health.
Also, some pests, especially rodents, can be very noisy. Since they mostly hide behind walls and under floorboards, you might hear scratching, squeaking, gnawing, or scurrying sounds. Larger insects can also make noises that are audible to the human ear…Carpenter ants can be heard in walls also if the conditions are proper.
If you notice such odd smells or sounds in your home, hire a pest exterminator promptly. These professionals will conduct an inspection, identify the specific pests, and use a sure-fire method to eradicate the pests completely.
Physical Damage
Pests can cause extensive damage to your structures. You may notice holes or gnaw or scratch marks on walls and flooring, especially in poorly lit areas. Also, you might notice stained or torn fabrics on upholstery and clothing items. In most of these cases, rats and mice are the main culprits as they can gnaw and chew anything from furniture to electrical wiring. Ants leave visible signs of their damage; carpenter ants kick out saw dust from the wood they are creating galleries in. Other ants also leave “kick-out” much like the circle of dirt around the crack in the cement of your sidewalk.
If you don’t act quickly, huge damage may result and compromise the structural integrity of your home. Hire pest control experts at the right time to avert such costly damages.
Grease Tracks and Marks
Some pests such as rats and mice will use the same exact path to travel, leaving behind a noticeable trail. The greasy trails result from the oil and dirt in their coats. In most cases, mice trails are fainter than those of rats. Thus, if you notice large, greasy trails along the walls, you might have a rat infestation. Many times, they look like the marks left when the tires rub the curb in the street.
Also, tail marks and footprints, especially in dusty areas, can signal the presence of rodents in your home. Rats drag their tails when traveling, thus leaving behind a tail mark. Also, rats’ tracks are larger compared to those of mice. If you can’t spot the tracks properly, illuminate suspicious areas with a flashlight for a clear view.
Webbing and Cast Off Exoskeletons
Many pests leave webbing behind. This could be spider webs, or areas where the pest is “working”. This is true of clothing moths. Also when some insects go through the process of changing from a larvae to an adult, they leave webbing behind from the pupal stage. Some insects shed their exoskeleton to go through a growth spurt, they leave these “shells” behind.
Seeing the Pest Itself
Obviously if you see pests, insect or rodent, then that is a good sign that something is going on and needs to be checked out by a professional.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs or you suspect the presence of pests in your home, act fast. Work with a reputable pest control company for a fast, safe, and durable pest solution. Contact us at A-Alert Exterminating Service Inc for all your commercial and residential pest control needs.