There are few things worse than realizing you’re sharing your home with creepy-crawly pests. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for about 14 million households in the United States.
But, what’s even worse is having a pest infestation in your home without realizing it. The good news is that there are a few warning signs that indicate it’s time to call pest control.
In this short guide, we’ll outline the most common signs that it’s time to call a pest control service, so you can stay alert and prevent damage to your home.
1. Wood Damage
One of the common signs of a pest infestation is damage to the wood around your home. Take a look at wooden areas on your property like your fence, deck, and even the base of your interior walls.
If you see tunneling in the wood, small pinholes, or discarded wings, there’s a very good chance you have a termite issue. If left alone, this can cause serious (and costly!) damage to your home, so schedule a termite inspection as soon as possible.
2. Droppings
Unfortunately, common pests aren’t known to be good houseguests. If you have an infestation, it’s only a matter of time until you notice droppings around your home.
If you suspect you have a pest issue, check for droppings in dark areas around your home like the basement, pantry, closets, and crawl space. If you do see droppings, contact a pest control company, so they can help identify what type of pest is in your home and how to get rid of them.
3. Damaged Fabric
Did you know that pests like mice and rats can damage upholstered items in your home? Oftentimes, these pests will gnaw on the fabric of your furniture, taking small pieces back to their nests.
Inspect your couches to look for holes and tears in the fabric if you suspect you have a rodent issue. You should also look out for dark stains on the fabric, which could be a sign of a bed bug infestation.
4. Unusual Sounds
Pay attention to the noise around your home, especially at night when it should be quiet. Do you hear any squeaking, scratching, or scurrying? What about flapping or whining noises?
If so, you’re probably hearing pests move around your home or even inside the walls. Termites, specifically, bang their heads on the wood inside your walls while they eat, so you may hear a tapping noise coming from within. If the noises persist, you need to contact a pest control professional immediately.
5. Body Parts
What might be even worse than finding droppings in your home is finding discarded body parts like wings or dead skin. If you have a cockroach problem, you might even find a few dead ones around your home. Unfortunately, a dead bug sighting often means there is a bigger infestation that you need to treat.
Time to Call Pest Control
If you notice any of these 5 signs of pests that we’ve outlined in this article, don’t wait any longer to call pest control. They’ll help determine what kind of infestation you have and the best possible treatment plan so your home can be your sanctuary once again.
Read more home content like this by checking out our other articles before you go!
