How to Identify the Signs of Pest Infestation
Having a pest infestation in your home is very dangerous since some of the pests leave droppings that can be harmful to human health. It is therefore important that you do a home inspection and these tips will guide you when looking for signs of pest infestation.
The best way to identify if you have an infestation is to see the pests themselves. Pests like rodents are good at hiding as opposed to insects, hence; be sure to check in all the places.
Pests are likely to leave their droppings everywhere and this is enough evidence that you have an infestation. Do a thorough examination on the droppings to know which kind of pest you are dealing with. For insects, the droppings are smaller and it may include things like body parts, wings or discarded skin.
Odor is another thing to consider when looking for signs of infestation. Mice have a musty odor which smells like urine while cockroaches are said to have an oily smell. Some pests like ants and rodents carry food to secluded areas and they don’t finish it causing it to rot and produce a stench smell.
Similarly, physical damage to household items such as gnaw marks and holes is a likely indication of an infestation. Look out for damaged wood like furniture as this indicates a termite infestation.
Also, look for trails of grease on the walls where rodents may have rubbed their bodies when moving about. Besides, pests make a lot of noise at night because they are most active; therefore listen carefully for these noises.
The following are parts of your home that you should inspect for signs of pests.
Consider doing a thorough inspection in your kitchen for signs of infestation. Pests like rats and rodents are most likely to visit your pantry because they are their sources of food. The kitchen also has a lot of pipes which the pests use to find their way into the house.
Although garages are out of the house, they are good hiding places for many pests. It is easy for the pests to access the garage because most of them are designed by leaving some space between the door and the floor. Another reason for hiding in the garage is because it is sheltered, warm and has plenty of things to gnaw on. If you find signs of pests in your garage, take measures like sealing all the gaps so that they don’t go past that area.
Examine your pipes and other appliances that link your home to the outside. Also, examine areas that are warm and easy for pests to access such as laundry areas, the basement and the utility room.