Pests can cause severe damage to your home, affecting the structural integrity of the building. They can also cause health issues for your family.
Even the cleanest homes can suffer from a pest infestation at some point. Call pest control services immediately if you see any of these signs in your house!
Pest Droppings or Urine
If you see pest droppings or urine in your home, it’s a sign that you have a pest problem. Pests, including rodents, birds, and cockroaches, leave behind fecal waste that can lead to health problems for people and pets. Pest droppings are also often a symptom of a pest infestation that needs to be treated right away.
Rodents often leave dark, elongated pellets that resemble coffee grounds. Bird droppings are typically slightly lighter in color and have a more round, granular shape. Cockroaches leave black or brown cylindrical shells that can sometimes be mistaken for coffee grounds.
In addition to being a significant health hazard, rodent droppings can cause severe damage to homes and property. Calling a professional pest control service to remove rodent droppings as soon as possible to prevent pests from spreading diseases or infections is essential. When cleaning up rodent droppings, wear rubber gloves and a face mask respirator, and use an EPA-registered disinfectant cleaner.
Damaged Furniture or Fabrics
A pest infestation can damage furniture or fabrics, causing them to be scratched, chewed, or stained. Rodents, for example, are known to tear holes in drywall and insulation. Other signs of pests include ripped or torn-up food packages and dark stains on carpeting or upholstery.
You should also pay attention to noises in attics and crawl spaces, such as whining, scurrying, or tapping sounds. These are signs of rodents or other pests rummaging through your home, looking for food or nesting materials.
Other pests, such as termites or carpenter ants, can cause severe damage to wood structures in your house. Look for warped wood, buckling paint, mud tubes on foundations and walls, and hollow-sounding wood. These are signs of severe infestations and require the services of a pest control company as soon as possible. The longer you leave these problems, the worse they will get. The sooner you call a pest management company, the faster you can solve them and prevent further damage.
Unusual Smells or Odors
When pests invade your home, they leave signs telling you it’s time to call a professional. For example, if you notice gnawed wood, rusted wires, or a strange smell in your kitchen (such as a musty or ammonia-like odor), these are all signs of a pest infestation that can only be remedied by a pest control specialist.
Additionally, suppose you start to notice unusual noises in your walls or floors (such as scratching, squeaking, or scurrying sounds) or see damage to furniture or other items in your house. In that case, these are signs of a pest problem that needs immediate attention.
Rodents, in particular, chew through many materials, including drywall, insulation, and even covered chairs. This can lead to expensive repairs and a hazard to your health. In addition, rodents can leave bite marks on food packaging and ruin any raw or cooked foods left in your pantry.
Dead Pests
When pests infest your house, they will leave behind a trail of damage. It can vary from a single mark to extensive destruction, depending on what kind of pests they are: rodents, for instance, will chew on anything they can get their teeth on, including books, fabrics, furniture, and drywall. Rodents also gnaw holes through personal belongings and food packaging.
If you find gnawed cords and other signs of pest activity, you should seek immediate help from a professional. Some pests, such as cockroaches and mice, spread diseases that can cause severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks in children and adults.
A professional will thoroughly tour your home and inspect firewood piles, bushes, and other potential entry points for pests. Then they will work to seal those spaces to keep them out. It’s also important to note that while extermination services remove the problems, they won’t necessarily solve the underlying issue. If pests return, you must also schedule regular pest control services.