5 Signs It’s Time to Call a Pest Control Professional
Pest infestations can be a nightmare for homeowners. Not only do they cause damage to your property, but they can also pose serious health risks to you and your family. While some pest issues can be handled with basic DIY methods, certain indicators point to a larger problem that requires the expertise of a professional. At Phoenix Pest, we understand the signs that mean it’s time to act fast. Here are five key indicators that it’s time to call in a pest control professional.
1. Droppings and Urine Stains
One of the first signs of a pest infestation is the presence of droppings or urine stains around your home. Different pests leave different types of droppings, but any discovery of animal waste indoors should be a cause for concern.
- Rodents leave small, dark pellet-like droppings that are often found near food sources, in cabinets, or along baseboards.
- Cockroaches leave dark, coffee-ground-like droppings in areas like kitchen cabinets and under sinks.
Why This Matters: Pest droppings can carry harmful bacteria, pathogens, and allergens that can affect your family’s health. If you spot any of these signs, contact a pest control professional to properly assess and address the situation.
2. Structural Damage
Many pests can cause physical damage to your home, often to walls, insulation, wiring, and even furniture.
- Termites are notorious for chewing through wood, which can weaken the structural integrity of your home.
- Rodents often gnaw on wires, increasing the risk of electrical fires, and chew on wood, drywall, and insulation.
Signs to Watch For: Look for small holes in walls, gnaw marks, sagging floors, or wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Structural damage is a sign that pests have been active for a while, and professional intervention is necessary to prevent further damage.
3. Strange Sounds and Smells
Unusual sounds and smells can indicate pest activity, especially at night when many pests are most active.
- Scratching Noises: Rodents, in particular, make scratching and scurrying noises within walls, ceilings, and floors as they move around.
- Unpleasant Odors: A musty, oily odor can indicate a cockroach infestation, while rodents leave a pungent, musky smell. Dead pests trapped in walls or vents can also produce foul odors.
Why This Matters: Strange sounds and smells are indicators that pests have established nests or colonies within your home. These issues are often hard to access and require a professional to locate and eliminate.
4. Nesting Evidence
Pests need a place to nest, and they often use materials like paper, fabric, and insulation to build their homes. Common nesting sites include attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
- Rodents create nests out of shredded paper, fabric, and other soft materials in secluded areas.
- Insects like ants and termites may be visible around cracks and crevices where they establish colonies.
Signs to Look For: If you find small piles of shredded materials, fabric, or paper in hidden areas around your home, it’s a sign of nesting. Nests often mean a larger population of pests, so it’s best to call a professional for an in-depth inspection and treatment.
5. Physical Sightings of Pests
While some pests are good at staying hidden, you may see them scurrying around if the infestation is severe. Even spotting a few pests can indicate a larger problem, as many species reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
- Rodents: If you see a mouse or rat during the day, it could mean that their nest is overcrowded, and the population has become too large.
- Cockroaches: Seeing cockroaches, particularly during the day, is a strong indicator of an infestation, as they are usually nocturnal.
Why This Matters: Physical sightings, especially during unusual times, are a clear indication that the infestation is advanced. A professional pest control service can assess the severity of the problem and eliminate the infestation at its source.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
From droppings and structural damage to strange sounds and physical sightings, these signs should not be ignored. Attempting to address the problem on your own can sometimes lead to temporary solutions, but often, pest issues are deeper and more extensive than they appear. A pest control professional has the expertise, tools, and treatments to effectively eliminate infestations and prevent them from returning.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, don’t wait—contact Phoenix Pest today for a thorough inspection and comprehensive pest control solutions.