Pests, which can be weeds, animals and insects, are creatures that you don’t want in your home. Florida is a state that has many common pests in the region, from cockroaches to mice. During the winter, you’ll want to keep an eye on your home and try to spot early signs of an infestation, which are much better to deal with than well-developed colonies of insects or rodents. The truth is, however, that pests can infest your home at any time of the year. So if you find you have any unwanted residents, it is important you search for something like ‘Florida Aptive Environmental‘(or wherever you live) to find local pest control experts who will be able to create a custom plan to help you.
Signs of an Infestation
Knowing the key signs of an infestation is how you’ll be able to put the symptoms to the perpetrator. Know them, make sure that your family knows them, and that you all inform each other the moment you spot signs of a potential invasion. You can also try to pest-proof your home in advance, though pests are clever when it comes to infesting homes. The sooner that you spot these signs the sooner you can get them out.
1. Noises
Though the saying might be “quiet as a mouse” the truth is you can hear rodent pests. When you wake up in the middle of the night and hear tiny scratching noises or the sound of little running bodies through your walls is a sure sign that you have pests living in your walls. The bigger the pest, the louder the noise. Raccoons, for instance, love to take residence in your attic, and hearing them climb up into your attic is not something you would want to hear after watching a horror movie. They’re loud, obvious, and easy to locate. Mice, on the other hand, are much quieter. If you suspect you might hear something, put your ear against the wall and try to listen more closely.
Rodent pests come out and are active at night, which is why you won’t often hear or see them throughout the day. If someone in your family is a night owl, they are your first line of defense, and should be able to tell you for certain whether or not you need to call Pest Control services to rid your home of any unwanted visitors.
2. Odors
In areas that pests frequent, you’re likely to catch a musky odor. This can smell like dried urine you could come across on the street, or, more accurately, like a rodent pet you might have if you haven’t cleaned out their cage in a while. Odor is another indicator that you have a rodent infestation. When you come across this smell, try to locate its source, as you have likely found the pests’ nest – which is the best way to relocate and remove them from your home.
If you come across a nest during your time cleaning an area that, say, you don’t often frequent, there are no more questions to be had – you are infested. Rodents especially want nothing more than to reproduce once they make a home in the warm, safe oasis that is your house.
3. Chewed Household Items
Rodents especially will leave behind chewed remains. This is because they have the ability to chew through boxes and plastic to get to food, and because they need to build their nest. Common things you might find chewed are any tissues you have in the kitchen, your furniture, and even wiring. If you suspect that you have a rodent infestation, go through your pantry and inspect every box – you don’t want to eat anything that’s had a mouse inside it, after all!
4. Droppings
Droppings are the only way you will be able to see left behind signs of most pests, other than just rodents. While insect feces are small, and can be very hard to spot (often looking like little specks of dust or pepper) they are still a good way to determine whether you have an infestation or not. Furthermore, with insects, you can find other droppings like exoskeletons and even their dead comrades. If you notice any droppings of any kind, ensure that you clean the counters and surfaces you’re going to use immediately before you use them.
5. The Pest Themselves
The best indicator, of course, is to see the pest itself. You’re more likely to come across an insect than you are a rodent (who are better at hiding and more willing to hide when they hear you coming). Ants, fleas, ticks, and other insects however continue about their day with or without you there – their bravery comes with their hive-like behavior.
Where You Should Look
1. Where You Store Food
Always keep an eye on your stored food, especially in the pantry. Check every so often the back of your cupboards to make sure that your food hasn’t been infested. While ants and the like aren’t likely to get into your pantry, they’re more than happy to take the crumbs you left after cooking, and they can infest anywhere.
2. The Garage and Attic
The garage and other cool and dry areas like the attic that have access to the outside are often the first point of contact for many pests. Some pests might not go much further than your garage, and begin their nest there. Other pests are bound for high up areas like your attic, bats are the most notable example in this area of the home, whilst they may seem less dirty than rats or cockroaches, they can be equally detrimental to your wellbeing. If you’re hearing noises from your attic or seeing them coming and going during the evening, then it would be best to contact a Bat Removal expert to deal with the issue. It’s important to not try and deal with pests in enclosed areas like the attic yourself, as you might find yourself breathing in fumes from their droppings, which can make you seriously ill. By leaving it to the experts, you’ll stay out of harms way and know that the job is getting done right first time round.
3. Your Pets
A lot of insects will come in through your pets. Fleas and ticks, for instance, are very common on pets as they have powerful jumping capabilities and can latch on to your pet’s fur and skin as they run through a field. They will then get deposited on whatever surface your pet encounters – including your clothes. Fleas, if ingested, can cause tapeworm in humans and dogs, which is why you want to protect your pet as much as possible from these pests.
Why You Should Act Immediately
Pests can cause bites, rashes, disease, and even insomnia when they infest your home. Having a pest infestation is a health risk and stressful, so when you notice the signs of an infestation call Go-Forth Pest Control of Greensboro. Getting a professional in, especially when your home is showing signs of an infestation, and not just one pest, is the only way to ensure you get them out of your home for good.
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