A Homeowner’s Nightmare: 9 Sign of Pest Infestation You Can’t Ignore

Did you know about 14 million homes end up with pests each year?

While it might seem unlikely any unwanted visitors can end up in yours, pests can be tricky to keep away and difficult to spot before a problem escalates.

If you feel like you might have a pest infestation, keep reading to learn about nine signs to look out for so you can get help before things get worse.

1. Bites

If you ever find yourself waking up with bites, this is a pretty good sign you have some sort of pest in your home. More often than not, bites after sleeping are a result of bed bug infestations.

But certain types of spiders and mosquitos can also be to blame. No matter what, calling a pest control service to take a look around your house for signs of any of these pests is crucial.

Bed bugs especially are easy to pass along to other people, and concrete steps need to be taken to get them out.

2. Droppings

Droppings are an indicator of many different types of pests, but they’re one of the sure signs of roaches.

Roaches will eat essentially anything, and all this munching leads them to leave droppings behind frequently. Unfortunately, their droppings are difficult to spot if you’re unfamiliar with them.

So also be on the lookout for smear marks, egg capsules, and shredded skin.

3. Unusual Noises

One of the telltale signs of rats is unusual noises. They’re most active at night, so if you hear scratching noises in your attic, basement, or walls during this time, it’s worth looking into.

Aside from noises, some other obvious signs you might have a rat problem are gnawed holes in clothing and a distinctive urine smell.

Overall the most prominent sign you can look for to confirm your suspicion is their droppings. Unlike roach droppings, they’re easy to spot due to their size. Gray, crumbly droppings might be a sign of an older infestation, whereas brown, moist droppings are fresh.

4. Odors

Any odors that aren’t normal for your home are one of the signs of pests. Virtually all pests will leave behind droppings or urine that accumulate over time and create a distinctive smell.

If you can smell them, it means they’re there and likely have been for a while.

5. Damage to Your Home

Again, most pets will eventually cause damage to your home. But in many cases, it takes a while for it to become noticeable.

With termites, damage can come sooner rather than later. They eat through wood and lead to hollowed walls, foundation damage, and other serious problems.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with warning signs of termites and contact a control service like Pegasus Pest Control as soon as possible with an infestation of this variety.

6. Damaged Plants

If you enjoy taking care of plants, it’s abundantly apparent when something is wrong with them. For example, if you notice bite marks or holes in your plants, they’re likely a result of pests.

Beetles and other insects eat away at your plants and can kill them by transferring disease or eating them away altogether.

7. Nests

Bees are pretty common in most places and often don’t result in serious issues. But if you notice nests throughout your yard, in trees, under your porch, or in other nearby areas, it’s worth taking a closer look.

One nest can house hundreds or thousands of bees, depending on the type. If you or one of your family members accidentally aggravates the nest, you might find yourself in trouble.

Even one sting can lead to a severe allergic reaction that requires medical care for some people. So if you see nests nearby, having pest control come to get them away safely and professionally will keep you and your family safe.

8. Piles of Dirt

A sign that might not make you look twice is piles of dirt outside your house. They’re often near walkways or just outside your door and mark where a nest of ants is underneath.

Ants are highly attracted to food, so leaving food or sugary drinks out in your house will draw them quickly. Also, because of how ants communicate, once one enters your home and finds something valuable, you can expect many more to arrive soon after.

It won’t be long before you physically see them moving around your kitchen.

9. Sightings

The clearest sign of any infestation is seeing the pest with your own eyes.

If it gets to the point where you see rats, roaches, ants, termites, or any other type of pest, the infestation has progressed past a point where dealing with it on your own is possible.

The positive side of seeing a type of pest yourself is knowing what you’re dealing with and possible immediate steps you can take to protect your home and prevent the issue from spreading.

Stop a Pest Infestation in Its Tracks

Dealing with a pest infestation can feel overwhelming. But knowing what to look for can help you spot a problem before it becomes a major issue.

Familiarizing yourself with the nine telltale signs of pests mentioned here and taking steps to avoid drawing them into your home is key. At the first sign of pests, contact a local company for help, so your stress doesn’t last long, and unwanted guests are less likely to come back!

If you enjoyed learning this information and want to read more about how you can best take care of your home, please take a look around the site for more informational articles like this.