Having a pest is not fun, but it’s not an uncommon problem for a homeowner to experience, especially in transition times like fall to winter or winter to spring. Many pests come indoors seeking warmth from the bitter temperatures in the late fall, stow away all winter and become active again once spring sets in. Others come indoors and remain active their whole occupancy. In older homes especially, it can be tricky to decide if you have a pest problem or just a creaky old house and an active imagination, but its easier if you know the other signs of pests to look for.

Common Signs of Household Pests

Because there are armloads of different sorts of pests that can occupy a house at any given time, it’s impossible to list all the signs and symptoms you might notice, but this list should give you a good start with the most common pests in homes.

Staining

Staining on ceilings or walls can be a strong sign that you’ve got an insect colony setting up shop. Often bees, wasps or even ladybugs will take up residence in voids in wall or attic spaces. If you hear buzzing, do not attempt to exorcise your insect pests without the help of a professional. Mammals and birds can also leave staining, depending on where they’ve built nests.

Scratching Sounds

Rodents love to get into the voids in walls, under cabinets and all the other dark places in your home. They use these openings like little highways to get safely from their nests to food sources and back. While they’re at it, you may hear them in the walls, scratching, scraping and even gnawing.

Unusual Smells

A lot of pests give off distinctive odors that aren’t normally associated with homes. If you’re shopping for a house and notice a smell that’s “off” don’t automatically assume it’s full of mold. There may simply be a pest infestation that can be far more easily remedied. The same goes for your own house; if someone mentions a smell you’ve not noticed because you live there all the time, ask for more details to help figure out what’s bugging you.

Holes or Gnaw Marks

Holes and gnaw marks can come from any sort of creature that would nest in your home. You don’t always get staining, depending on where the nest it; sometimes you only get a good view of the front door. Wood-consuming beetles like powderpost beetles for example will drill tiny holes in hardwood flooring and other wooden trim pieces. Mice, of course, will also chew through wood and other materials to better facilitate their successful lives in your home.

Nests

If you find an actual nest, or nest material, this is a great sign you’ve got an issue and one you can’t ignore. Rodents tend to chew up paper or other thin materials like plastic bags to create their nests, but waxy secretions might be the sort of nest material you’d find for bees, or leaves, mud and grasses for birds that often nest in chimneys and attics. Whatever the nesting material, make sure to collect some for further evaluation.

Who You Gonna Call?

First, you can get in touch with us and we can connect you with a great pest inspector and someone that can help you control the issue. Often, you may be able to handle the pest situation tasks yourself, such as setting mouse traps, but more sever infestations require more skilled experts. Bees, for example, should never be handled by anyone without expert beekeeping knowledge because they can become very dangerous. Even more, some pests, like bats, are protected by local or federal laws so knowing how to handle them is important. Either way, give us a call and we will help you be free of those unwanted squatters as quickly as they came in.