7 Signs of a Pest Problem

7 Signs of a Pest Problem

Many homeowners catch wind of an ongoing pest infestation in their home only after spotting a pesky intruder with their own eyes. However, pests make themselves known long before they may come crawling across your floors. Keep a lookout for these common signs of pest problems in order to detect an invasion as early as possible.

1. Signs of Nesting

Common household pests such as rats, mice, spiders, and ants are often small, timid, and tricky, and may rarely be seen in the daylight or otherwise out in the open. Despite their efforts to hide, these pests, as well as cockroaches and other pesky insects, will leave signs of their presence through the nests, webs, and mounds they create as they settle in or near your home. 

To spot these pest nests, look in obscure places for piles of shredded paper, fabric, droppings, food scraps, plant matter, wood shavings, and other materials that may make up a bed or home-like area for unwelcome pests.

2. Property Damage

Pests such as rodents gnaw and chew on various household objects, while termites and carpenter ants are notorious for their destructive practices with wooden structures. Take a look around and note any apparent signs of teeth or bite marks, and pay close attention to areas closer to the floor where pests have greater access.

3. Droppings 

Perhaps one of the most revolting signs of a pest infestation is one of the clearest, too. Because they often make their way indoors on the hunt for food and water and stick around when they find a reliable food source, invasive pests leave behind droppings around your home that vary depending on species, diet, and pest behavior.

Keep an eye out for dark, blunted droppings that may have come from mice and rats, but look around as well for dark or tan droppings that smaller creatures may have left as well. These droppings may resemble sand, dirt, black pepper, or coffee grounds that show up in odd, out-of-place areas.

4. Shed Casings

Throughout their life cycle, many pests go through molting stages in which they shed egg and body casings and leave them behind as they scuttle away. These casings may look like small shells, or they may resemble the pest themselves, as intruders such as cockroaches molt their entire skins throughout their lifetimes.

5. Markings

Any unusual smudges or markings, especially on baseboards or areas of the wall that are lower to the ground, may indicate the presence of pests who have rubbed up against the surfaces of your home on their way to and from a food source.

Any unusual stains, regardless of where you spot them, deserve a second look. You may find dark red spots on your bedding that could signify a bed bug infestation, and brown stains or spots on the floor can indicate the presence of a cockroach clan.

6. Scents

Pest intruders, especially mice and rats, may bring with them a stale, oily, or musty smell. These smells are primarily from the pests themselves, but their habits contribute to the odor, too. Investigate smells such as ammonia, feces, urine, mold, and stale substances right away in order to either uncover or rule out a pest problem.

7. Sounds 

From scampering feet in the night to scratching sounds coming from the walls, you may hear a pest before you ever see them. Don’t rule out any unusual noises that appear to come from obscure places, as this may mean that pests have taken up residence in your space, whether in your walls, behind your appliances, or underneath your furniture.

For help diagnosing a pest problem and evicting unwelcome bugs, spiders, rodents, and other pests, give Eary Termite & Pest Services a call at the first sign of an infestation.

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