5 Common Signs That You Need to Call an Exterminator
While seeing an ant or two now and then is normal, when you start seeing more insects, it may be time to look for pest control London (or wherever you live). An experienced bug exterminator can use bait stations and traps to help eliminate pests quickly and safely.
Another sign you should call an exterminator is if you find insect feces or egg casings in your home. The shape and smell of these droppings can indicate the type of pest that’s infesting your home.
Unusual Smells
When pests like rodents, cockroaches, or bed bugs enter your home, they wreak havoc with your food and household items. They may also eat your home’s furniture, drywall, baseboards, insulation, and other structural elements.
You might hear rustling, scampering, or feet pattering late at night. This is a sure sign that you need to call an exterminator.
A musty or moldy smell indicates that you need to call an exterminator. This can cause respiratory problems and exacerbate allergies in sensitive people. The odors may come and go depending on the weather or other factors. Phantom smells are also a sign of parosmia, which causes the nose to sense odors that aren’t present.
Odd Sights
While some pests benefit flowers and plants, such as bees and hornets, others can be harmful. Bees, hornets, and yellow jackets build their hives in hollow parts of block walls, the eaves of your house, or up high in trees, making them difficult to get rid of. In addition, they aggressively defend their hives, especially against humans, and can cause severe, potentially life-threatening stings.
Rodents like mice and rats are another odd sight indicating a pest problem. Pests breed quickly like mosquitoes, and their droppings can contaminate food, leading to severe illnesses. If you see mouse droppings, call an exterminator as soon as possible.
Damage
If you see signs of damage from rotting food or insects, it’s time to call an exterminator. Pests can cause extensive damage that needs to be addressed before they spread further, so the sooner you contact an exterminator, the better.
Cockroaches and other common pests can hide well, so seeing a few is likely just the tip of the iceberg. To ensure the best results, homeowners should prepare a little pre-treatment before an exterminator’s visit. This can include moving furniture like couches or dressers away from walls so that exterminators can inspect and treat these areas effectively.
This also helps to eliminate obstacles like pet toys or fish tanks that could interfere with an inspection or treatment. This allows the pest control expert to focus on problem areas more efficiently and reduce the number of treatments needed.
Dead Bugs
While seeing an occasional spider in the house is normal, if you regularly see large or dangerous ones like black widows, it’s time to call in pest control. These spiders have bites that can be painful and cause health problems requiring medical attention.
Similarly, if you find dead bugs inside or on window ledges, basement walls, or other spots, it’s time to call in the professionals. Infestations are easy to miss until it’s too late, so you must be vigilant.
Depending on the pest, DIY solutions may be helpful for specific infestations. For most of the most destructive pests, however, professional extermination is required to get rid of them. The longer you wait, the more damage these pests will do to your home.
Bees
Unusual sounds like scratching or gnawing at night may mean you have mice or rats in the walls. These animals can chew and damage wires and fabric if unchecked, making them a severe health risk. A pest control expert will be able to catch the problem early before it gets out of hand.
Other signs of infestation are feces, shredded paper, and gnaw marks on furniture or other objects. Rodent droppings are small, pellet-like, and dark in color, while termite droppings are similar but a little grainier.
Swarms of flying insects outside your home are another sign that you must call a wasp or bee exterminator. They are likely looking for a new home for their nests, which can be dangerous to humans and pets.
