Pests can cause damage to our homes and property, as well as health problems. They can spread disease and be dangerous to our pets and children.
There are several ways to control pests, including traps, barriers and chemical sprays. However, it is important to identify the pest correctly before applying any pesticides. Keep reading the article to Learn More.
Whether you live in a suburban house or a city apartment, pests can invade your property and cause severe damage. The good news is that there are some telltale signs that can help you identify and respond to a pest infestation promptly.
Visual markers are perhaps the most obvious indicator of a pest infestation. Seeing droppings or urination on your property, or finding evidence of rodents, termites, cockroaches, and other pests in and around your home, is a sure sign that you need pest control. The type of markings left behind will also help you determine the kind of pest that’s infesting your home. Rodent droppings, for example, are small and pellet-shaped, while roach droppings are dark and look like coffee grounds. Finding gnaw marks and damage in furniture or walls is also a strong indication of a pest infestation, as well as noticing chewed wires and other structural damage in hidden or hard-to-reach areas.
Another important warning sign of a pest infestation is hearing scratching or scurrying sounds in your walls, attic, or basement. These sounds can be a sign that rodents or other pests are seeking shelter in these secluded and inaccessible spaces, and that they’re competing with you and your family for food and shelter. You might also hear squeaking or scurrying noises, or notice unexplained odors that you can’t quite place.
Finding nests or hives in or around your home is also an indicator of a pest infestation, as well as seeing swarms of bees, wasps, or flies on or near your property. Insects seek shelter in secluded or hard-to-reach places, such as attics and crawl spaces, and they tend to build nests from shredded materials.
Seeing itchy, red bites on your skin may indicate an insect infestation as well. Many insects, such as cockroaches and fleas, are known to leave itchy, painful bites on humans. Infestations of these pests can also pose health risks, as they carry diseases like hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis. In addition, some insect pests, such as flies, moths, and fermentation flies, are capable of contaminating food.
Damage to Your Home
Imagine hundreds of termites slowly gnawing away at the foundation of your home. Or mice chewing on your roof and support beams. It’s not a nightmare scenario, and it can be a reality for many homeowners. This is especially true in the rainy Pacific Northwest, where pests are common in the wooded and rocky environment.
While it’s a great idea to have regular pest inspections and treatments, prevention is key in preventing damage to your home. Performing frequent interior and exterior home inspections can help keep pests out before they cause an infestation. Inspect for cracks in the foundation, holes or crevices in the siding or roof, and check for the presence of mud tunnels. Also, don’t forget to regularly clean out your gutters and patch any areas of exposed soil around your home.
Performing these preventative measures will also help you avoid costly pest-related damage to your personal property, such as electronics or clothing. Some pests also pose health hazards, such as rodents carrying and spreading diseases or cockroaches eating and contaminating food. These health hazards are typically not covered by homeowner’s insurance, so it’s best to work with your pest control company and your insurer to determine the best course of action.
Another important thing to remember is that even a small pest infestation can become much larger in no time at all. Pests are known to multiply quickly, so it only takes a few to turn into a full-blown infestation.
The good news is that pests are not hard to see. Observe the surroundings of your house and look for a trail of droppings, puddles or mud tunnels that lead to your door or window. Alternatively, listen for scratching noises inside walls and around the ceiling and keep an eye out for frayed electrical wires. These are all signs of a pest problem and should be addressed immediately.
Taking the right precautions will go a long way toward keeping your home and family safe from pest infestations. A little diligence can make all the difference in the likelihood of your homeowners insurance covering a pest-related claim and making the process of restoring your home as easy and stress-free as possible.
Odors Throughout Your Home
Whether it’s the smell of decaying food in your refrigerator, old sweat on your clothes or rotting wood under your deck, bad odors in your home can signify a problem. Foul odors may indicate a pest infestation or they could be caused by sewage leaks, natural gas problems or spoiled foods. Your nose is often more sensitive than the most advanced scientific equipment, so listen to it.
New York City has a unique urban environment that makes it a hotspot for pest infestations. Hundreds of thousands of people live in the tightest spaces and many are in close proximity to each other, which allows pests like mice and cockroaches to spread quickly between apartments, homes and businesses. This also means that even if you don’t have pests in your home now, they could easily move in from nearby buildings or through the subway system.
Older NYC brownstones, in particular, are prone to pest infestations because of their narrow openings and ageing structures. A mouse only needs a hole the size of a dime to get in and rat holes are typically wider, making them perfect for clogging plumbing systems, causing fire hazards or just gnawing away at wiring.
Pests can also cause foul odors by leaving droppings, urine and carcasses behind. Fortunately, professional pest control can help eliminate these odors and prevent future infestations.
If you’re trying to control a pest problem yourself, remove food sources by storing food in sealed containers and disposing of waste regularly. Regular maintenance of your plumbing systems can also help prevent odor-causing stagnant water.
When hiring a pest control company, choose one that uses baits and traps whenever possible and avoids spraying chemicals throughout the interior of your home. This will reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals and make the process more environmentally friendly. When applying chemical pesticides, make sure to read the label and follow all instructions and safety warnings. If you’re unsure, ask your pest control company about safe chemical use and proper disposal of leftover pesticides. If they are unable to provide you with this information, consider finding a different pest control company.
Unusual Noises
While the sounds of squeaking doors, rattling floors and creaking walls are typically harmless, strange noises at night can be a sign that you have pests in your house. These squeaks, rustles and scraping sounds are caused by rodents chewing through wood, electrical wires, insulation and more. They can cause serious problems for homeowners if left unchecked. The more damage that pests do, the greater the risk of fire and compromised structural integrity.
Most people who hear odd sounds from their walls immediately jump to the most common suspects – mice or rats. However, these animals are not the only ones that can make these noises. Squirrels, raccoons and bats can also make them. In addition, these creatures aren’t the only ones that can live in the attic and other parts of a home. Other pests that can invade the space above your head include cockroaches, spiders and wasps.
The sounds that these critters produce can vary widely. Mice and rats typically scratch at the walls or ceilings to create the sound. This can be quite a bit of a nuisance, especially when it happens at night while you are trying to sleep. However, their constant scratching can also result in significant damage. Their gnawing can expose electrical wiring, cause holes in your walls and ceiling and even weaken the structure of your home.
Another sound that is commonly associated with pest infestations is the pitter-patter of feet. This is a sign that the pests are moving around your home. This sound may be accompanied by droppings, which can vary in color and shape depending on the type of pest. Mouse droppings are small and pellet-like, while cockroach droppings look like coffee grounds.
When it comes to unexpected noises in your home, the best advice is always to contact your local pest control experts. These professionals can perform a free inspection of your property to determine the source of these sounds and help you get rid of them. They can also provide you with helpful information to prevent future pest infestations from occurring.