Controlling The Pests So They Don't Control You

No one likes to imagine their home may have been infested with pests — whether rodents, insects, or other small wildlife. Yet many homes each year fall prey to just such infestations, despite their homeowners being completely unaware. In order to catch pests before they become too much of a problem, take a look below at just three of the early warning signs pests have started to make their home in yours.

Droppings

Perhaps the most surefire sign that insects have begun to infest your home is the droppings they leave behind. Unfortunately, most insect droppings can also be hard to spot, and may be mistaken for dust, dirt, or other small bits of debris. That's why it pays to shine a flashlight in the darker corners of your home's basement, attic, and cupboards. Rodent droppings are larger and therefore easier to spot; they can often be found near food sources and — during the colder months — warm places such as water heaters or furnaces.

Sounds

You may not need to investigate the darker, warmer parts of your home in order to confirm a recent infestation. More than anything else, you may just need to keep your ears open. If you hear sounds coming from the walls, roof, or attic, pay attention: small whines, scratches, or shuffling noises may be a likely indication that a rodent (or a whole rodent family) has infested your home. Call pest control services to guarantee a safe and easy removal.

Interior Damage

Termites are perhaps the most notorious of pests because the warning signs are not as obvious as those left by other insects and rodents. Their droppings, often seen as small piles of pellets in corners of a room, may not be visible until they have already done a lot of damage. It's also next to impossible to hear them unless there is already a massive infestation underway. That said, there are still signs you can look for. If you notice that paint in a certain area is bubbling, for example, it may be a sign of termites. Likewise, if the wooden parts of a door frame, windowsill, or baseboard have recently become dented or sunken, termites are the most likely culprit. If you notice any of these things appearing out of the blue, it is best to contact pest control services so that they can take care of the termites for you.