How to Spot The Early Signs of a Pest Problem – A Guide

How to Spot The Early Signs of a Pest Problem – A Guide

Have you noticed some strange property damage or unusual odours and noises around your home? You might have a pest infestation. Like with many issues, it’s best to nip this in the bud and get started with pest control as soon as possible. This guide looks at how to spot the early signs of a pest problem to help you figure out what’s going on and how to get the right solution quickly. 

Early Warning Signs of a Pest Problem

Being aware of what the early warning signs of a pest problem can be, can help you solve any problems faster and limit the damage to your home. 

Look (and listen!) out for the following common indicators of a pest infestation:

• Droppings. 
• Noises. 
• Odours. 
• Gnaw Marks.
• Smear Marks. 
• Nests.
• Damaged Food Packaging. 
• Pets Acting Weird. 

More details for each below:

Droppings. 

What animal droppings look like depends on the species. Look out for small black rice-shaped droppings from mice and bigger ones from rats. Generally, they are brown or black (but some species have different coloured droppings) and are often found near food sources or inside cupboards. 

Noises. 

Listen out for unusual noises as it might be pests scurrying around. You might hear scratching, rustling, or squeaking noises from inside the walls or from the loft. Rodents are active at night so you’re more likely to hear them at nighttime. 

Odours. 

If you have a rodent infestation, you are likely to notice a pungent musky and ammonia-like odour from their urine. It’s especially likely to be in enclosed areas – walls, the loft, cabinets or even inside your sofa! Rodents use their urine to mark territory which is why the smell is so lingering. Cockroaches create a pungent oily/greasy smell caused by pheromones, feces, or decomposition. This odour is usually discovered in kitchens, bathrooms, and dark, moist areas of properties.

Gnaw Marks.

Rodents like to chew on various materials as a way to manage their teeth. If you spot gnaw marks on things like wood, plastic, or even electrical cables around your home, this is likely evidence of a rodent infestation.

Smear Marks. 

Rodents like mice and rats are known to leave smear marks along walls, skirting boards, pipes and more. These dark and oily streaks are caused by transfer of first, dust and natural oils from the fur as they repeatedly travel the same routes. Rodents have poor eyesight so they use their whiskers to guide them along walls, creating high-traffic paths. 

Nests.

Many house pests create nests in your home to have a safe place to stay. Rodents like warm areas (lofts, wall cavities, behind appliances, basements, etc.) and often use materials such as shredded paper, fabric, or insulation to create their nests. Insects often build their nests in walls and lofts, termites inside wooden structures, and birds in roof spaces, on window ledges, in gutters or even under solar panels. 

Damaged Food Packaging. 

If you spot damaged food packaging such as torn or chewed packaging, this is a classic sign of pests like rodents or various insects. The pests are looking for food and eating whatever they can find. 

Pets Acting Weird. 

If you have pets in your home, another sign of pests is that pets can start acting strangely. They have superior senses that let them hear, see or smell pests like rodents and insects long before humans too. Signs include:

• Staring at a specific spot intensely.
• Moving their heads, tracking something that seems like nothing to you.
• Sniffing, scratching and pawing obsessively in a specific area.
• Acting scared or excited in certain areas. 

What to Do If You Discover Signs of Pests in Your Home?

If you have seen any or several of the above common signs of a pest infestation, act quickly to prevent the problem getting worse. This involves thorough cleaning, perhaps changing how you store food, blocking entry points and more. For smaller problems, you might be able to catch any pests yourself with pest control traps that will help you to humanely remove pests from your home. For bigger problems, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service in your local area. 

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