When to Look for a Pest Control Provider

Guest Post by Alexandra Arcand

None of us like pests in our homes. We want our homes to be our safe space where we can relax, unwind, and forget the stress of life. But sometimes, no matter how hard we try, pests still make their way in. And our safe space suddenly becomes a war zone between us and our uninvited guests.

There are plenty of options when it comes to pest control. Home remedies can be found with the touch of your phone. Although it’s usually the cheaper and more convenient route to take, eliminating pests yourself doesn't always work. Sometimes, you need a professional, especially when there's pest damage involved. Let’s take a look at the signs that will tell you when it’s time to give up the DIY hacks and call in the big guns.

1. You see bugs — lots of them

This first tip is obvious, but no internet hack is going to help if the infestation is too large. Bugs like termites, ants, and cockroaches come in large numbers and breed quickly. So once they enter, they nest, and it can be extremely difficult to get them out. 

Plus the world is host to over 2,000 species of fleas, with the most common being the "cat flea”. Pet owners should keep an eye on their pets during regular care and grooming to avoid infestations. Pest control providers have the equipment and solutions needed to rid a large population of bugs much better than you can do yourself.

Reputable pest control companies will have the necessary tools to get rid of even the largest infestations.

2. You hear weird noises, typically at night

Nighttime is usually our time to drift off into dreamland, but pests thrive at night. Pay attention to any strange or different noises you hear around your home at night. These noises will mostly come from your walls or the attic. If you hear things such as whining, squeaking, or scratching, you more than likely have been invaded by rodents.

On the other hand, if you hear faint clicking coming from your walls, this could mean your home is playing the unlucky host to a termite infestation. It’s common for termites to bang their heads against wood as a signal of danger to other members. You may also be able to hear termites eating if you get close enough. Placing your ear against a spot where you think termites may be could allow you to hear them eating your wood.

Neither a rodent nor termite infestation is an easy fix. If you hear any of these sounds coming from your walls, floors, or attic, it’s time to call the professionals.

3. You observe damage or dropping in your home

Different pests can create different forms of damage to your home. Rodents may leave more obvious damage, such as scratch marks on flooring or furniture, holes in cardboard boxes, chewed up wiring, or holes in walls or flooring. You may also notice damage to fabrics and clothing. If you see holes or stains on fabrics, this may be a sign of a rodent infestation.

Bugs like termites may not leave such obvious damage, but if you know how to look, you can surely find it. If you think you may have a termite infestation within your home, find the areas you believe to be infested and knock on them. If the wood sounds hollow when you knock, there’s a chance termites have gotten to it since they eat wood from the inside out.

If you notice any of these damages to your home, it’s definitely time to call in pest control, because at-home remedies could cause further damage to your home.

Unfortunately, rodents and insects may leave droppings around your home. It’s gross, but it’s true. The most common places you may find these droppings are around food sources within your home; behind large appliances; and in corners, the attic, and the basement.

Obviously, the more waste you find, the larger the problem. If you do find waste, it’s time to call professionals.

4. Your doors and windows are sticking

It might sound odd, but if you’ve noticed your windows are harder to open and close or your doors seem to stick when you try to use them, this could be a sign of termites in your home. When termites eat wood and tunnel through it, they produce moisture that can cause wood to warp and change. If you are noticing these problems, it’s best to have a pest control provider come out and check to see if termites are the problem.

Plenty of pest control companies have excellent reviews, so make sure to do your research before you make an appointment.

5. Your house smells odd

If something in your home smells off, this could be a sign of a pest infestation. The odor could be from one issue or a combination of issues.

One unpleasant smell in your home from pests could be spoiled food. Often, if your home has rodents or bugs, those bugs want to share your dinner. They will find your food sources and help themselves. As they carry food back with them, they may leave droppings and rotting food behind as they go. Look for small pieces of food around your house.

Another source of foul odors may be the droppings left behind. Pest urine and feces may leave your home smelling not quite right. If you didn’t notice the droppings before, the odor may lead you right to them.

If you think you could have cockroaches, odor may be your determining factor. Roaches produce a very musty and unpleasant odor which will only get worse as the infestation grows.

There could also be the chance the smell is coming from rotting pest bodies. Rodents and roaches that die within your home leave a smell as they decompose. If you’re noticing any smells you can’t put your finger on, or you have evidence of the source of the odor, it’s time to call someone and get those pests out.

6. You find wood shavings on your floors

If you happen to be sweeping and notice some odd wood shavings on your floors, this could be a sign you have an infestation of carpenter ants. Unlike termites, these ants do not eat wood; they simply dig into it, causing the wood shavings to be left behind where they have entered. 

If left untreated, carpenter ants can be very harmful to the woodwork in your home. if you’re noticing wood shavings or odd sawdust on your flooring, it’s time to have pest control come out and solve the problem.

7. You find oothecas (roach egg cases)

Roaches like to breed, and they like to breed fast. When they breed, they don’t just lay eggs. They lay ootheca, which are long, brown casings that hold their eggs. Typically, cockroaches will protect their egg casings while the eggs are still inside by sticking them in tight areas. 

If you are looking for them, try small and protected areas such as cracks in walls or flooring, inside cabinets, or behind furniture. Once the eggs have hatched, you may have an easier time finding the casings, but that only means you have more roaches on your hands. Because cockroaches breed so quickly, it’s in your best interest to call a pest service immediately.

8. You find red, itchy spots on your body or your sheets are discolored

If you find yourself waking up in the morning with red, itchy spots, this could be a sign your home has been infested with bed bugs. Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, but if you start to notice red, itchy bumps that fall in a line anywhere on your body, this is a pretty telltale sign you have them. 

Bed bugs are extremely hard to get rid of yourself, and calling an exterminator is your best option to make sure they get gone and stay gone.

Another sign bed bugs have made their presence in your home is discoloring of your sheets. This could come from one of two sources, and neither are pleasant. If you notice red bloodstains on your sheets, this means you have killed bed bugs in your sleep while they were feeding on you. The second discoloration may be more of a rusty color. This is a sign of feces the bed bugs have produced and left behind on your bed. 

Leave bed bugs for the pest control specialists and start getting that restful sleep you need without worrying about bugs sharing your bed.

Alexandra Arcand writes for InsuranceProviders.com and has had a lifelong dislike of bugs