Every year, Americans spend billions of dollars eliminating pest infestations in their homes. In fact, termites alone cause $5 billion worth of damage each year.
Often, homeowners don’t realize that they have a pest problem until it’s too late and the pests have done serious damage.
Are you worried about pests damaging your home? Do you know what it looks like when you’re dealing with a pest infestation?
If you’re not sure which warning signs to look out for, keep reading.
Listed below are ten common pest infestation signs that you need to watch out for in your home.
1. A Buildup of Dirt and Grime
Often, when you’re dealing with pest infestations, you’ll notice a buildup of grime on your walls or in other parts of your home.
You might find greasy looking smudges or dirt, for example. This occurs when rodents’ bodies rub up against your walls and furniture.
You might also notice your house seeming dirtier than usual, too. For example, you might notice crumbs being left on the floor or in the corners. You might even see hair left behind as well.
2. Pest Droppings
One of the most common issues people notice when they’re dealing with a pest infestation is a collection of pest droppings in their home.
Look around in areas of your home where pets are likely to hang out — the attic, crawl spaces, the basement, the area behind your water heater, etc. If you notice any pest droppings, you’re almost definitely dealing with a pest problem.
You might be able to tell what kind of pests you’re dealing with based on the shape and size of the droppings. Rodent droppings are conical or spindly in shape, for example. Inspect droppings, on the other hand, are much smaller.
3. Strange Smells
If you have a pest infestation in your home, you’ll likely notice some strange smells, too.
You might notice the smell of rotting or stale food. This is a common issue since pests tend to carry off food and leave pieces of it behind. If you look carefully, you’ll likely find moldy, rotting bits of food in areas where the pests are congregating.
In addition to these smells, you might also smell odors from droppings and urine. If pests are dying in your walls or other parts of your home, you’ll also notice a very strong, unpleasant smell.
4. Damage to Fabric
Have you noticed damage to the fabric items in your home?
This might include holes, stains, or scratch marks on the furniture or holes or stains on your clothing.
If you see this type of damage, there’s a good chance you have rats, insects, or other pests causing irreparable damage to your belongings.
5. Holes and Gnaw Marks
In addition to locating damage to the fabric in your home, you might notice other types of damage.
For example, you could find holes in the floors or walls or scratch marks from little tiny nails skittering across the ground. You might find gnaw marks on cardboard boxes in your pantry or storage area, too, or chewed up electrical wires.
This is especially common if you’re dealing with a mouse or rat infestation. These pests love to chew on things.
6. Body Parts Left Behind
In addition to leaving behind droppings, insects might also leave behind body parts. If you have an insect infestation, you might find discarded skin, wings, or limbs in your window sills or in other parts of your home.
Don’t just sweep these things up and hope they don’t return. Take the issue seriously and call a professional to come out and determine whether or not you’re dealing with a legitimate infestation.
7. Damaged Plants
Pests don’t just cause damage inside your home. They can damage areas outside, too. For example, you might notice gnaw marks or other damage to your plants.
If your grass is uneven or is full of dead, brown patches, pests could also be contributing to the problem. Rats and mice might also leave burrows or trails behind in the grass as well.
8. Signs of Nesting
Be on the lookout for signs of nesting, too.
Rodents have a tendency to build nests in the areas of their home where they’ve taken up residence. They will build nests out of almost anything, including shredded paper, scraps of fabric, leaves, or grass clippings.
You’ll likely find nests in tucked away places like the attic, crawl space, areas between the walls, or underneath your flooring.
9. Strange Sounds
If you hear strange sounds coming from your home, especially at night, there’s a good chance you’re going to need to invest in termite tenting or another pest removal service.
Strange sounds, including scratching, scuttling, squeaking, or whining, are indicators that something is living in your home that shouldn’t be there.
You’ll likely hear these noises coming from the walls or coming from up above in the attic. You might also hear noises coming from outside your home if you have pests running around the perimeter.
10. Objects Out of Place
It’s not uncommon for pests like rats and mice to “borrow” objects from around your home.
Rats or mice might take away bits of fabric or gnaw into the furniture and tear out stuffing, for example.
If you notice little things like this missing, you might find them tucked out of the way somewhere in a rat or mouse’s nest.
Do You Have a Pest Infestation in Your Home?
Now that you know more about the most common pest infestation warning signs, is it time to call in a professional to help you get rid of the pests plaguing your home?
As soon as you notice these warning signs, it’s important to take action. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.
Do you need more advice on keeping your home safe and clean? Do you need to find a professional who can eliminate pests from your home?
If so, be sure to check out our business directory today. We’ll help you find a highly rated professional in your area.
