Pest Exterminator in Puyallup
It’s important to recognize potential signs of pest infestation so that you can address the problem. This article is going to go over some of the signs that indicate you are dealing with a pest problem.
1- You See Pests
The first, and most obvious sign, is that you actually see pests on your property. If you see multiple rodents in plain sight during the day, this should be a cause for concern. Rats and mice like to stay hidden, so if you see some out in the open, it could mean that there’s not room for all of them in their nest. If you see rodents, get in touch with a pest control professional immediately. If you see pests such as bed bugs, termites, or yellowjackets, you should get the problem dealt with as soon as possible. You could quickly have an infestation on your hands.
2- Dead Pests
You may not see active pests, but you may see dead ones. If you see cockroach shells or bed bug shells from molting, or termite wings, this is a pretty safe bet that you have a bug infestation. If you frequently find yourself sweeping up bug corpses, you need an exterminator. This is also true if you find dead rodents on your property.
3- Droppings
Often, pest droppings can be found in darker, less-trafficked areas of homes such as in basements and cabinets. Because of this, in addition to the fact that droppings are often small and hard to notice, you may not realize that you have unwanted pests on your property. You may not know what they are, or think that they’re bits of dirt. Even if you don’t see the pests themselves, you will probably see droppings if there’s an infestation. The size and shape of the droppings can give you an idea of what type of pest you’re dealing with.
4- Nests
Pests such as rodents make nests out of materials that they find both inside and outside of buildings. Rodents may make nests in crawlspace, wall voids, behind shelves, or in attics out of chewed up materials such as cardboard and newspaper. Ants like to make their nests in foliage in your yard or underneath concrete slabs. Bees and wasps may build nests in the eaves of buildings, in trees, or in the ground. If you find a nest, it means that the pests that built it are probably living on your property.
5- Chewed Up/Destroyed Property
Rodents love to chew on materials, pretty much anything they can get their hands on. If you notice holes in your walls, chewed-up furniture, wiring, or other objects, it is probably a sign of pests. Pests are notorious for property destruction, which will get worse the longer you go without pest control. Termites chew up wood, and piles of sawdust could indicate that you have a termite problem.
Puyallup Pest Control
6- Bad Odors
Many types of pests cause awful smells, so if you encounter a new, persistent bad smell on your property it could mean that there are pests. Different pests give off different smells. Mice tend to smell musty, like stale urine, while rats may have an ammonia-like odor. Cockroaches emit a greasy, oily smell, and sugar ants smell like rotten coconut when they’re crushed. Bed bugs may have a sweet or musty smell. Don’t ignore unpleasant smells in your home. They may be an early warning sign that you have a pest infestation brewing. Additionally, bad smells in your home could mean that there’s mold. Washington is no stranger to moisture and water damage, which causes mold. Water damage may attract pests such as dampwood termites, so it’s important to be on the lookout.
7- Noises
Strange, new noises in your home can be from pests. They may be especially noticeable at night when the house is quiet. Rodents such as mice and rats are very noisy. You may hear scurrying, gnawing, scratching, or squeaking if you have a rodent problem. Rustling or buzzing sounds could mean that you have a bug infestation.
8- Neighbors Have Infestation
Sadly, infestations often spread from one property to another. Is especially true when houses are in close proximity to each other, or in apartment complexes. Even if you get rid of the pests in one apartment, they can quickly re-infest it if the building isn’t properly quarantined and treated for pests. Pests such as rodents seek shelter wherever is warm, meaning that they can quickly spread to multiple homes on a block. The next time you think you may be dealing with an infestation, ask your neighbors if they have spotted any signs of pest activity. This can help you confirm if there’s a pest issue.
9- Tracks or Footprints
Some pests don’t leave very much evidence behind, but others leave grease marks, footprints, or trails. If you see these signs, don’t clean them up right away; instead, you should follow the trail and find the pests’ potential entry/exit point. Pests like to follow familiar routes, and over time rubbing against surfaces can leave behind a residue. Grease marks on cupboards, furniture, or walls at rodent-height are a strong indicator that you have a pest problem.
Footprints can also be a sign of a pest problem. Mice and rats especially leave footprints in areas that they walk through often. These tracks usually look like a smear, and not really definitive footprints. Footprints can indicate that the building has a pest problem, but following the tracks can be helpful in figuring out where the pests could be coming from. Independent Pest Solutions will block off places that pests use to access your home, which is called exclusion.
If you see signs of a pest problem, get in contact with our qualified pest experts at Independent Pest Solutions as soon as possible. The sooner that you get the issue dealt with, the better. If you ignore a pest problem, it can get worse and lead to costly damages. Our pest control professionals have the experience needed to tackle any pest problem.
