It is important to hire a professional when noticing the first signs of an infestation. Here are 7 signs you need to call pest control immediately.
You’re walking to the pantry to grab a late-night snack. Suddenly, you’re less hungry and more horrified.
On the shelves, next to the canned goods and cereal boxes, you find tiny droppings. They look like they could belong to a mouse, but you aren’t quite sure.
This is only one of the signs that you need to call pest control immediately! Any time an infestation occurs in your house, taking swift action can help you stop the activity and prevent future damage. Today, we’re sharing seven signs that you need our number on speed dial, stat.
1. Droppings
Pests aren’t exactly polite. They’ll leave droppings anywhere and everywhere they go, for unsuspecting homeowners like you to discover.
If you can see visible feces in your home, it’s a sure sign that you have a pest infestation on your hands. In addition to obvious places like the pantry, also make sure to check your basement, crawl space, and other dark areas around your property. Bugs, rodents and other pests love to hang out in these spots and will often leave physical signs of their visits.
While it’s disheartening to find these droppings, they can be helpful. Their size and shape can help you know what kind of pest you’re likely dealing with. For instance, rodent droppings are usually elongated and conical in shape, while insect droppings are much smaller, often appearing as tiny black dots.
2. Nesting
When a pest finds a comfortable spot to set up shop, it will often create a nest in that location. Here, it can continue to breed and multiply.
Rodents are especially prone to making nests, and will usually choose a dark corner in which to do so. If rats or mice are the culprits, they’ll use small scraps from your house to create their makeshift home. In addition to household papers and fabrics, they can also bring leaves and grass clippings inside as they travel back and forth.
3. Gnawed or Damaged Fabric
Wait, you don’t remember getting a puppy!
Have you noticed that your sofa arms, mattresses, or rugs are looking extra shabby, lately? Pests will gravitate toward these soft spots and leave signs of damage that are often easy to spot.
In addition to holes and scratch marks, also look for dark stains or smears. The latter could point to a bed bug infestation, among other issues. It’s also smart to check the clothing in your drawers and closets for signs of a pest presence.
4. Grimy Surfaces
You clean and clean, but your walls and furniture still feel grimy. What’s going on?
This could be another sign of a pest infestation. When a rodent crawls across any surface in your home, their bodies can leave behind traces of dirt, oil and grease. In addition to feeling icky, these areas might always look dirty, even if you clean fervently.
This is because rodents are known to leave behind traces of crumbs, dirt, hair and other debris. If you find yourself in a constant cleaning cycle, they could be to blame.
5. Different Sounds
No, you aren’t going crazy or imagining things. That “scratch-scratch” you hear coming from above you could be a rodent in the attic. Or, it might be termites, who can move around inside your walls during the night.
In addition to the telltale sound of furious claws, you may also notice other new sounds, such as:
- Squeaking
- Squealing
- Scurrying
- Flapping
- Whining
While these are some of the noises that can occur inside of your home, you may also hear the same ones along your exterior. Outdoor pests can travel along the perimeter of your home, sometimes causing a racket that’s so loud it can be heard indoors!
6. Strange Smells
Have you been picking up on an odd odor lately? It could be the unwelcome scent of pest droppings or urine, which tend to be pungent and musty.
Or, you might be smelling a rodent’s nest, which can include decaying and rotting food. As mentioned, these pests will use household items to create their nests, and this can include scraps from the garbage can or crumbs under your table. It doesn’t take long for the particles that remain uneaten to turn moldy and stinky!
You could also be picking up on the scent of dead, decaying pests. If they die within the walls of your home, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the smell is coming from, but a qualified pest control team can help.
7. Visible Sightings
Sometimes, the proof is right in front of your eyes!
If you see a mouse scurry under your sink, you know you’re dealing with a rodent infestation. Or, you might pull back your sheets to discover bed bugs crawling near the edge of your mattress. If you have ants, you might notice dozens of them crawling along the shelves in your pantry.
In addition to live pests, you might also find dead bugs around your property, or discarded body parts from insects that are molting.
All of these are obvious signs that it’s time to call a pest control company immediately. It might be unpleasant to deal with, but leaving the issue untreated will only exacerbate the damage.
Notice These Signs? Call Pest Control Today
When you know the warning signs of a pest infestation, you can take quick action to control it. These seven concerns above are ones to take seriously, regardless of the degree of damage already done.
As you walk around your home, observe every space and take note of anything you find. If these issues are apparent, it’s time to call pest control! Thankfully, our team is here to help.
Official Pest Prevention is equipped to handle any infestations you may have. Whether you live in a commercial area or a residential one, if you say hello to us, you’ll be saying goodbye to those pesky bugs.
If you have any questions at all about our highly-rated services, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to help out.
Official Pest Prevention is a family-owned, licensed pest control company celebrating 20 years serving over 100,000 satisfied customers in five area codes throughout Northern and Central California. Starting with a few contacts, and only four full-time employees, our small company has grown into an organization that today employs over 100 people, maintains a fleet of 75 vehicles, and has serviced over 100,000 Northern California households. This tremendous growth has come from loyal customers, who have recommended our work to their friends, family, and neighbors.
We are a full-service pest control company. Whatever your pest problem, we have a solution. Our goal is to make your property pest-free. Guaranteed. Contact us online or by phone (877) 711 2847 – for immediate assistance. Same-day bookings and flexible payment plans available – because pest invasions wait for no one.
