As a homeowner, you want to keep your property clean, tidy, and pest-free. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may find yourself dealing with an unwelcome pest problem. Don’t panic – pest infestations are common, especially in older homes.
The key is to identify the signs early so you can contact a professional Bristol pest control company to deal with them.
To help homeowners like you stay vigilant, we’ve put together this guide on the seven most common signs of a pest infestation in your home.
Read on to learn what to watch out for so you can nip any issues in the bud.
1.     Strange Noises in Floors Walls and Ceilings
One of the first signs of pests setting up home in your walls, attic or other hidden spaces is strange scratching, scampering, or scurrying noises, especially at night.
Culprits include mice, rats, squirrels, and other rodents. If you hear cheeping, chirping, or buzzing, an infestation of birds, bats or bees could be to blame.
2.     Droppings and Gnaw Marks
Keep an eye out for small black pellet-like droppings around your home. Rodents, bats, and other pests produce telltale excrement that’s easy to identify.
You may also spot gnaw marks or holes on walls, floorboards, furnishings and stored foods from rats, mice, squirrels, and other chewing pests. The sooner you spot these signs, the less damage they can do to your property. Contact a qualified Bristol pest controller promptly.
3.     Strange Odours
Pests like rodents, bats and pigeons can leave unpleasant ammonia-like odours behind in infested areas. Cockroaches produce musty, oily scents. If you notice odd smells in certain areas of your home, search for the source. It could indicate a pest problem.
Deodorisers only mask scents temporarily – contact a pest controller Bristol for a thorough and effective solution.
4.     Shed Skins and Egg Cases
Keep watch for signs of pests like shed exoskeletons from cockroaches, larval skins from fleas and small light brown seed-like egg cases from cockroaches.
Spotting these in cupboards, under appliances and in other hideouts indicates an active infestation. Get help from an expert Bristol pest control company right away to deal with the issue and prevent it from escalating.
5.     Damaged Food Packages or Containers
Pantry pests like moths, weevils and beetles can eat into food packages and containers, leaving behind holes, chew marks and larvae. Grains, cereals, flours, pasta, nuts, chocolate, spices, dried fruits, and more are at risk.
Inspect your pantry items regularly and call a pest professional if you spot any damaged goods. Removing infested foods limits the spread.
6.     Specimen Spotting
Actually seeing live or dead pests like mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, pantry moths, or beetles in your home confirms an active infestation. Save any specimens you find in a sealed bag and show them to the pest controller so they can identify the species and best treatment methods.
Catching the infestation early improves your chances of elimination. Stay vigilant and don’t hesitate to call in the professionals like Advance Pest Control Bristol – with the right pest control, you can keep your home pest-free.
7.     Itchy Welts on Skin
Discovering clusters of red, itchy welts on your skin could indicate pest bites, especially from bed bugs, fleas, or mites. These pests feed on human blood, often at night.
Check the mattresses first, then the furniture and carpets for signs. A pest controller can advise on eliminating them and preventing painful bites.
Dealing with pests can be stressful, but spotting early signs gives you a head start. If you notice any of these red flags in your home, contact a professional pest control company right away. With early detection and prompt treatment, infestations can be eliminated before they escalate.
