Pest infestations can be destructive to homes and disruptive to their occupants’ quality of life, and unfortunately, every house is susceptible to this kind of invasion. The longer they go undiscovered, the more harm that they will cause.
Therefore, to avoid costly repairs, you should always watch out for signs of pest infestation and intervene as early as possible. Read through our article to learn about the telltale signs that signify that you have a pest infestation.
Pest Droppings
An exemplary and simple sign of pest infestation is pest droppings. Look out for any urine trails or fecal droppings around your home. However, this sign is easiest to spot among larger pests such as rodents. It will be hard to spot waste or droppings from small pests like bugs. While cleaning, you should always examine your furniture, beddings, floors, and walls for any signs of pest droppings.
Nesting
Nests are a major sign of pest infestation. For instance, Rodents use anything in their reach, including shredded paper, leaves, or even bits of grass, to make nests. Many bugs and insects like ants, wasps, bees, and termites build nests, as well, for their eggs and larvae. However, they are usually hard to spot as they are good at hiding them away. You should also look out for wood shavings as carpenter ants nest in them. Ant infestations are quite common in cold areas like Pennsylvania, where the winters tend to be freezing cold. If you spot any nests, you must consult a pest control expert at once. Since nesting signifies the existence of newborns and eggs that are soon to hatch, the situation may become harder to control if you do not take immediate action. This is why you should always look for signs of nesting.
Spots, Marks, and Tracks
Rodents usually use the same path to travel, leaving behind a greasy tail. If you suspect a rodent infestation, search for grease marks and tracks. Rats tend to run along walls and will leave dark grease spots everywhere they go. In such a case, it will be easy to spot if rodents are invading your home. A common sign for a bedbug infestation is maroon spots, usually in bedrooms and near electric plates. If you find red or brown spots in your kitchen or your storage areas, this signifies a cockroach infestation.
Property Damage
If you believe that termites have infested your home, you should tap on your walls, flooring, and other structures to see if they produce a hollow sound. Damaged decks and fences are also signs of termite infestations. This is because termites tend to carve tunnels out in wood, hollowing it out. Rodents chew on furniture and walls, keeping an eye out for gnaw marks and holes and visible wirings.
Pest infestations can have catastrophic effects if left untreated. Not only will they damage your furniture or stain your walls and cabinets, but they can also compromise your house’s structural integrity if they are left undiscovered for a long time. That’s why it’s important to get your home professionally inspected from time to time and keep an eye out for these telltale signs.