You’ve noticed a few gnaw marks around your house. A few droppings here and there.
Surely, it can only be one thing: a pest infestation.
Nobody likes their home being infested by pests, but occasionally it will happen. To deal with the problem early, it makes sense to look out for the key signs of pest infestation.
We’ve outlined five warning signs here—keep reading to discover what they are.
- Droppings
Yes, it’s not exactly pleasant to think about, but animal droppings are one of the classic signs of pest infestation. It’s worth looking up the varying appearances of animal waste so you know what sort of pest you’re dealing with.
You’ll probably be able to identify droppings from rodents, but waste from smaller critters can be a little more difficult. Also, you may want to search for egg cases and other signs of bugs at the same time.
- Damaged Structures or Holes
Damage to your home is one of the tell-tale pest control signs.
Look out for gnaw marks on furniture and holes in the floor or in walls, as these can indicate rodents. Mice and rats love to gnaw, so this should give away the infestation even if nothing else does.
Meanwhile, if you notice a lot of damage to wooden structures, you could be facing a termite infestation.
- Nesting
This applies primarily to rodents. If they’ve decided to move in with you, you’re likely to find evidence of nesting in secluded areas of your property, like beneath walls.
Look for leaves, grass, shredded paper, and other bits of material. Use a flashlight and look in every little nook and cranny.
- Damaged Plants
Whether inside or out in the yard, make sure that you check up on your plants. Look out for insect trails, gnawing, or damaged lawn outside. These can indicate problems with any animal from insects to moles and voles.
Even on your indoor plants, check the conditions of the leaves and other visible parts of the plant, ensuring that there’s no damage.
- Smells and Sounds
Can you hear or smell anything a little unusual? Rodents like mice and rats, in particular, can often be heard scurrying around or scratching the walls—even gnawing or squeaking.
Rats have something of an ammonia-like smell, while mice smell mustier. Bed bugs have a slightly sweeter smell, whereas the scent of roaches tends to be more oily.
It’s worth familiarizing yourself with the typical smells of common pests so you’ll be sure to know what to look for and what to direct pest control towards.
Dealing With Pest Infestation
Hopefully, you’re now a little more familiar with the key signs of pest infestations.
Once you know what to look for, you can make a start on identifying the problem and dealing with it. Then you can finally get rid of those pests for good!
Interested in finding more ways to look after your home? Check out some of our other posts—you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.
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