As the temperature starts to drop and summer transitions to fall, some homeowners may begin to experience problems with pest infestations. Other than witnessing a pest run across your kitchen floor with your own eyes, there are additional signs that you may have a problem with bugs or rodents. If you notice any signs of problem pests, it’s best to get help from a professional. Here are some clues that you may possibly have a pest infestation in your home.
1. Droppings
One of the biggest clues that there may be a pest infestation is what is left behind, their droppings. Mouse droppings are small, dark pellets and can be found in hidden spots such as on the inside of drawers, behind appliances, and in basement crawl spaces. Roach droppings look similar to coffee grounds, and they may be visible inside of drawers or along cabinet interiors. If you have a larger pest, such as a squirrel, droppings may be a little larger. It’s best to take the necessary safety precautions in order to clean up larger pest droppings.
2. Smell
Another sign that you may have pests has to do with unusual smells. If you have mice in your home, you may notice a musty, pungent smell. Another possible smell that may go along with a pest infestation is if there is a dead rodent hiding somewhere. The smell tends to get worse over the course of a few days until you find the source. Infestations of bugs may have a slight oily smell, which many people don’t really notice until the infestation is intense.
3. Sounds
Hearing strange noises is another sign of a pest infestation within your home. Mice make scratching noises, or you may hear tiny feet running across a room. Male mice may even make squeaky vocalizations when in search of a mate. If you have termites, you may hear rattling or rustling within your walls. A bee infestation may cause your walls to make a whirring sound. If you have larger pests, you may notice strange noises coming from your attic or basement.
4. Damage
Next, you may spot some areas where pests have caused damage. Mice may leave behind chewed up food containers or wires, or they could have burrowed in a couch or chair. One of the most damaging pests are termites, who leave behind rotting, pulverized wood. Don’t let termites ruin the place you call home. Take action by hiring a professional exterminator to eliminate any of these destructive pests.
5. Carcasses
Finally, the last piece of evidence of an infestation is seeing dead rodents or bugs in or around your home. You may notice bug carcasses along windows or in the basement. Look for dead rodents in hidden spots, such as the attic, basement, or another spot that is away from traffic. This is one of the biggest signs that you need to hire a pest control company right away.
If you notice some of these signs in your home, don’t panic. Pests can be easily eliminated with the proper tools and treatments. That way, you can close your home off to these unwelcome visitors today.
Good things to look out for in your home to make sure you do not have any pests. If you find a sign hopefully you can take care of any pests quickly! Thanks for putting this together.
It’s definitely best to know the signs of a pest problem before a large-scale infestation occurs. Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t know bugs had a smell. I’ll have to vigilant of that musty, oily smell. I just moved into my first home, so I think I’m going to research local pest control so that I have someone to call in case I spot one of these signs.