by HannahSigns Of A Pest Infestation
Even the smallest signs of pest infestation in your property could help you identify a pest problem before it cause significant damage to your property, health and wellbeing.
Still, it can be difficult for homeowners and business leaders to work out what is a sign of pests and what isn’t.
As experienced providers of domestic and commercial pest control services across Belfast, Lisburn, Antrim, Newtownards, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Dundonald, Dunmurry, Ballyclare, Newtownabbey, and throughout Northern Ireland, Flytech understands the importance of early pest detection.
So, what are signs that pests are in the area? And, which of these are signs of a pest infestation, and not just their presence? We answer these questions and more in this guide.
Why Early Pest Infestation Warning Signs Are Important
It’s crucial that you’re proactive when you notice signs of pest activity, as vermin can be highly destructive and spread diseases, causing a potential public health risk.
Rodents, such as rats, mice and squirrels, carry various diseases including Hantavirus, Leptospirosis and Salmonellosis. Additionally, rodents have front teeth that have no roots, meaning they have to chew almost constantly to keep them down. This means they can damage wood, walls, flooring and other surfaces in your home, and even cause a fire hazard if they bite through live wires.
An insect infestation can be equally distressing, as ants, cockroaches, some moth species and stored product insects can contaminate food, while wasps and bees have painful stings. Parasitic pests, such as bed bugs and fleas bite humans and can cause skin infections and severe distress.
Even birds such as pigeons, seagulls and jackdaws, which many people regard as a beautiful sight when soaring overhead, can be a nuisance when they land or nest on properties and
In a business environment, pests can be particularly dangerous, and cause reputational damage, as well as potential regulatory non-compliance, which is why regular inspections are vital to reduce the chances of a pest problem.
Common Signs Of Pest Activity
While there are many different pests out there, and each is unique, some common signs of pests are listed below.
Scurrying Noises
One of the most alarming and noticeable warning signs that you have a pest infestation is hearing scurrying or scratching sounds, particularly in your loft. These are often caused by rats and mice, but louder sounds could indicate the presence of squirrels in your loft. Any unusual noises could indicate a pest infestation or a structural issue in your home, so make sure you look for other signs of pest activity to help identify the exact issue.
Grease Marks
Many pests, including cockroaches, rats and mice, leave behind grease marks, which look like dark smudges. These are usually found on skirting boards, door frames, the bottom of internal doors and walls. These marks can come from grease on fur or are a combination of moisture and droppings from cockroaches.
Nesting Materials
When pests make their way inside your property, they often stay and breed. While some pests, such as bed bugs, fleas and moths, don’t build nests and lay eggs in carpets and soft furnishings, other pests like rats, mice, birds and wasps, will build nests. Rodents often use shredded paper or loft insulation for their nests, so look for these in your home. Wasp nests are distinctive, as they are made from chewed wood pulp and are relatively large. Bee nests have hexagonal cells and are made from wax, so they’re also highly distinctive. If you find a nest, then the chances are that the vermin are either inside it or nearby, so it’s best not to disturb it and to instead contact your local pest control provider as soon as possible.
Pest Droppings
Pest droppings can vary in size, shape and colour depending on the type of pest infestation you’re dealing with. Rodent droppings are usually large and dark brown to black, with rat droppings being more barrel shaped while mouse droppings are tiny pellets that have tapered ends, and squirrel droppings are often very misshapen and usually have undigested food in them. Bird droppings are highly distinctive, as they are virtually liquid in consistency and usually white with dark brown or black bits. Most insect droppings look like small dark grains of rice or coffee grounds. Make sure you don’t clean any pest droppings without protective clothing to avoid spreading bacteria and diseases.
Other Debris
As well as droppings and nesting materials, you may also find other debris, such as shed skins, dead bugs or eggs from insect pests, feathers from birds or dead rodents. Any debris like this inside your home could mean that you have a pest infestation, and you should avoid touching these items with your bare hands to protect yourself from bacteria and diseases spread by pest debris.
Gnaw Marks
Chew marks are a clear sign of rodent activity, as rats, mice and squirrels all have front teeth, known as incisors, that have no roots. This means that these teeth never stop growing, and so the rodents need to chew almost constantly to ensure they keep them at a reasonable size. As such, look for gnaw marks on beams, doors, walls, skirting boards and furniture throughout your home, as these could indicate a rodent problem.
Bad Smells
Larger infestations can cause unusual smells that don’t dissipate with cleaning. If you notice a musty smell, particularly if you’ve also seen pest droppings or other signs of pest infestation, then this could be an indication that the pest problem is much worse than you previously thought.
Spots On Bedding
If you suspect that you have bed bugs, look out for dark specks on your bedding or other soft furniture, such as sofa cushions or pillows. These dark spots could either be bed bug droppings or blood spots from where you’ve been bleeding during the night. If you suspect a flea infestation, then you should inspect your pet’s bedding as well.
Bare Patches In Natural Fibres
Pests such as carpet beetles and clothes moths will eat natural fibres, such as wool, silk, velvet, leather and others. These can often be found in carpets, clothing, curtains and soft furnishings, such as bedding or sofas. If you notice bare patches in any natural fibres, or mixed synthetic and natural materials, around your property, then this could indicate an insect infestation. If you find chew marks on paper, such as books, documents or even wallpaper, then this could indicate silverfish or booklice.
Damaged Food Packaging
Torn food packaging or bite marks on cardboard boxes in your pantry or kitchen cupboards could indicate a pest infestation. While rodents leave large chew marks, stored product insects can leave small tears or take tiny nibbles from dried foods. Kitchen cupboards, pantries or anywhere that you store food can be a haven for pests and offer a reliable food source, so make sure you clean them regularly and check for any torn packaging or bite marks in dried products.
Potential Entry Points
Even the smallest of holes in your property’s facade, such as a gap between pipes, missing roof tiles or a broken air vent could become a potential entry point for pests of all types and sizes. While insects are the most obvious, rodents can also be highly agile and get through surprisingly small gaps. So, as soon as you see any gaps in your home’s exterior, make sure you seal it as soon as possible. If you’re unsure how to do the work yourself, a professional pest control provider like Flytech can seal entry points and offer further preventative measures to reduce the chances of a pest problem.
When Should You Book A Pest Control Service?
As soon as you notice signs of pest infestation, you should immediately get in touch with experienced local pest controllers.
They can identify the exact pest species you’re facing and discuss the issues they could cause, then provide expert treatment and preventative measures to reduce the chances of a future infestation.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, then working with a local pest control company like Flytech can help you to quickly manage pest problems before they get out of hand.
Early intervention can reduce the damage that pests can cause, so if you see any early signs of pest activity, contact us on 07955 008274 to book expert pest control services.