Finding you have a pest infestation is never good. Whether it's rodents, cockroaches, termites, or anything else, they can cause you distress and disease and damage your property. For this reason, it is important to recognize the signs of pest infestation, identify the type of pest and take the appropriate measures before it's too late.
Getting on top of a pest infestation early on can save time and money and help maintain your well-being and that of your family. Leaving it and allowing the pests to increase in numbers will worsen the problem and make the eventual solution more disruptive for you and considerably more expensive.
Signs of pest infestation
Being able to spot the signs of an infestation is a good start. There are often, for instance, there will be signs that you might have a rat problem before you catch one of them scurrying across your yard. You might find droppings or discover that you have damage to wiring, furniture, or signs that something is trying to get into packets of food.
However, while mice and rat droppings are usually easy to spot, the after-effects of things like cockroaches are not always apparent until the infestation has really taken hold or you find some kind of nest. These can occur anywhere in your home, but most often in attics, basements, or gaps in masonry, like those around windows.
Discovering nests and other signs
The pest will gather materials for their nests, so if you see unusual gatherings of leaves, mud, and small pieces of household rubbish, this could be a sign that you have a problem. Other signs that it is not just you living in your home will be an unpleasant odor – for instance, ammonia from rats or a greasy smell from a cockroach nest.
These signs help identify the type of pest you have a problem with and for when you contact the appropriate pest control services. While you are waiting for them to turn up, however, there are some things you can do immediately to mitigate the problem.
What to do when you find an infestation
The first step is to control or remove their food sources by keeping all food in sealed containers and removing them from direct contact with the floor. In addition to this, do not leave any dirty dishes on the countertop overnight and ensure you take any trash out each night or that any waste bins have lids. This will include any wastebaskets in bedrooms and bathrooms.
Any food that looks like it may have been 'got at' will need to be disposed of, as pests can be carriers of many diseases that they can pass on to humans. Also, complete a thorough clean of all of your work surfaces and anywhere you prepare food for the same reason.
A few final thoughts
When you discover a pest infestation, it can be easy to jump to the conclusion that it is your fault. However, pest infestations are not always the result of owner neglect. Implementing these few simple measures and calling the professionals to deal with the problem can usually be the best solution.
CONVERSATION