The temperature is rising. It is summer once again which means that the pests that have hibernated through fall and winter are awake and ready to wreak havoc to your plans.
Do not let critters ruin your barbecue parties or bring illness to your children. Here are the signs that will tell you that you need to call a local exterminator ASAP:
Holes
If you ever notice gaps that were not there before, then you could have pests that forced themselves into your home. Holes, especially on walls, wooden frames, or doors, may have been created by rats and mice.
Rats and mice are a nuisance. They will eat your food and gnaw on your furniture, especially electric cords and pieces of wood.
Moreover, they are known to be carriers of diseases. Rodents spread microbes and parasites that will make your family ill when exposed to their urine, feces, or saliva. Some of the diseases that you can get from rodents are leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever (RVF), and the plague.
If you suspect that you have rats and mice in your home, do not try to block the holes. They will only cause more damage by creating other points of exit. Instead, get traps to catch them or call pest control services to get rid of them once and for all.
Bad Smells
Pests are living creatures, too. They also have to pee and poop which creates unpleasant smells.
If you have an infestation, your nose will notice. There will be a musty smell in areas where they usually congregate, like in dark cabinets and corners in your home that you rarely visit.
You may spot droppings that they leave behind, too. When you do, it is best to call a professional to determine which pest you are dealing with and remove the critters from your house.
Damaged Wood
Termites are one of the most common household pests. They are dangerous because they can cause structural damages.
Termites love to eat wood. If you have an infestation, wooden fixtures in your house will definitely suffer. Check your furniture. If it sounds hollow, the critters may have eaten the wood from the inside. Wooden doors and windows that stick may also have been caused by termites.
The presence of sawdust is a giant red flag. Assess the nearby wooden item and look for any damage. You may also see fecal pellets and wings around the affected area.
Nests
All pests have nests. A telltale sign that you have a problem is finding an empty nest in your property.
You can find these nests in nooks and crannies that do not get a lot of light and/or foot traffic. Look behind broken walls and under floorboards, inside the garage or the attic and basement, and other hollow areas in the house. Inspect the exteriors, too.
When you find a nest, be careful. It is best to let the pest control service deal with it. As mentioned, pests may carry pathogens that cause diseases. A critter may still be hiding in it, too, which may cause injury.
Pest infestations are big problems that have to be addressed immediately. If you wait any longer, the number of critters in your home will multiply and cause a more serious mess.
