Did you know that pests and pathogens could cost the economy a staggering $540 billion annually if left unchecked? That’s how prevalent the pest problem is, and it goes way beyond being a nuisance. While ants happen to be the most concerning pest, followed by spiders and roaches, they are not the worst.
Having to deal with termites, mice, bedbugs, and ticks can be the most disturbing problem. These pose dangers to your health and property, so the problem should be caught and exterminated before they cause havoc. The thing is, most types of pests know how to hide in the basement, attic, crawl spaces, and crevices very well, and it only becomes apparent when they have caused major damages.
So, how do you know you have a pest problem in your home? This post will guide you through nine telltale signs that you may have pests in your home. If you notice any of them, you can hire a professional pest control company in your area for total extermination.
1. Pest Droppings
Pest droppings are by far one of the most common signs of a pest infestation in a home. Take a quick tour through your house and check around places where pests are most likely to hang out, such as crawl spaces, the basement, the attic, and other hidden areas such as your cabinets. If you find any pest droppings in these areas, there’s a very high chance you have a pest problem.
It’s also possible to tell what kind of pest you’re dealing with depending on the type, size, and shape of the droppings. Rodent droppings, for instance, are conical in shape. Even if you’re unable to identify what kind of pests you have, it’s enough to know that you have a pest problem, so you can call in a professional pest control company to investigate the situation.
2. A Strange Odor
Pests come with a strange kind of smell due to the urine and dropping, so if you notice a peculiar odor in your home, chances are you do have a pest problem. You may also notice a smell of stale or rotten food, which is common if pests carry off food and leave pieces behind. If you look in the areas where you found the pest droppings, you may find rotten bits of food.
Even worse, if some of these pests die in your home, it could cause powerful and unpleasant smells in your home, primarily because they die in hidden areas. This pest problem could pose a danger to your health, so you need to find a way to exterminate them completely.
3. Torn Fabrics, Holes and Gnaw Marks
If you have a prevalent pest problem in your home, you may notice torn or stained fabrics. It could be anything from upholstery to furniture and clothing items. It becomes a significant problem if you have rats and mice because they chew and tear off fabrics and carry those pieces to their nests.
Additionally, you may also notice other damages such as holes or scratch marks on your walls and floors from those tiny nails skittering around your home. You may also notice gnaw marks in your storage area, cardboard boxes, or even electrical wires. Pests that cause such damages, like rats and mice, can be dangerous because they could wreak havoc in your home.
4. Strange Sounds and Noises
If you have been hearing strange noises in your home, especially at night, you may need to start looking for a professional pest removal service in your area. Strange noises could be anything from scuttling, squeaking, whining, or scratching while the pests scarry around your home scavenging for food. If you have a termite problem, you may hear soft tapping behind your walls because they bang their heads as they munch away on the wood.
5. Body Parts
Apart from dropping, common house pests like insects are bound to leave body parts behind, such as discarded skin or wings around your home, especially around the windows. If you have cockroaches, you may notice a few dead ones in your cupboards or pantry area. This is a telltale sign that you have a pest problem that should be addressed immediately.
6. You Notice Ant Hills
Spotting ants in your home may not be a cause for alarm, but they can also cause a considerable amount of damage, so they are not to be overlooked. It’s easy to tell you have ants in your home through ant hills or if you find sand around the cracks and crevices on your floor. An anthill is usually the entry point to an ant colony, and if you find one, it means you have an ant infestation.
7. Muddy or Hollow Wood
Check your walls for mud tubes as they are an indication of a termite infestation. Termites create mud tunnels that allow them to travel freely without being noticed by predators. These tunnels are easy to spot, and if you find one, you need to call in a pest control service for extermination.
You may also have noticed hollow wood in your home, especially in the outdoors, because termites chew the insides of the wood, causing significant damage to property. If you do find it, find a professional pest control service in your area to prevent further damages to your property.
8. Ladybugs in Your Home
Ladybugs happen to be genteel creatures, and they bring happiness wherever they go, but they also happen to be hard-core predators. It’s a good sign to have ladybugs in your garden because they feed on aphids. However, if you notice them inside your home, chances are you have an infestation to do with mites, white flies, and insects.
9. Dirt and Grime Buildup
Most of the time, when a home has a pest problem, it’s easy to notice a dirt and grime build-up in certain hidden areas of your home. You can find smudges of dirt where the pests pass by and rub up against walls and furniture. You’ll also find food crumbs all over the place and may even find a nesting area.
Pests can create nests out of anything from papers, leaves, grass clippings, and pieces of fabrics. They could leave dirt behind as they take these items to their nest. Check all hidden areas of your home for a nest, which will be a sure sign that you have a pest problem.
Identifying a Pest Problem: All the Telltale Signs
These are some of the most common signs that you have a pest problem in your home. If you have noticed one or two signs of pests, call in Cayce Exterminating Company for ultimate pest extermination. We have professionals with the knowledge and skills to deal with various kinds of pests, so please contact us today for a quote!
Do you have a pest problem?
If so, Cayce Exterminating is the best exterminator in Columbia SC! We offer home pest control and commercial pest control in Columbia SC, Cayce SC & Lexington SC. Family owned and operated for over 50 years.
You can trust that our family of highly trained professionals will provide fast service with 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Our technicians are licensed by the state of South Carolina to ensure your safety as well as ours. And we’ll always treat you like family – because that’s what you deserve!
Call us today at 803-796-2847 or visit our website to schedule an appointment online! Pest control columbia sc is something that pest exterminators can take care of, but it should be noted that pest extermination isn’t the only pest removal tactic available. In fact, pest extermination should always go hand-in-hand with pest prevention as a pest infestation can quickly become a major problem for your home.
Cayce Exterminating Company, Inc.
2229 Taylor Road
Cayce, SC 29033
803-796-2847
https://caycebugs.com/
Exterminator Columbia SC
