Common Pests You Could Have in Your Home (And How to Identify Them)

When you think of the word “pest” you probably think of rats, bedbugs and wasps. In reality however, there are hundreds of common pests out there that want to make your home their own. The trick to stopping this from happening is to educate yourself on the most common critters in your area. You then need to identify any signs of their existence in your home, before taking the right steps to deal with them.

Nests

A lot of people say that if you have any kind of nest in your home, that you have a pest problem. This may be the case, but identifying a nest can be difficult. There are so many common pests out there and each one creates a nest that is completely different to the next. To make things even more difficult, some of them only create nests at certain times of the year as well. Wasp nests for example can be found outside and each one can house thousands of horrible, stinging insects. Wasps usually make their nests in trash cans, sheds or even on roofs. Finding out if you have a wasp nest is relatively simple because you will probably be able to see the wasps themselves. If this is the case then all you have to do is watch them (from a safe distance of course) to see where they go. After a couple of minutes you will probably have a good idea of where the nest is. Rats and rodents also make nests, however these can be indoors or outdoors. Evidence for this can include shreds of paper, string or even cloth. You will also want to look out for bite marks, scratching underneath the floorboards and just general signs of disturbance.

Droppings

Another sign that you need to look out for is droppings. Droppings can be a huge indicator that you have some common pests and they can also tell you which type of pest you are dealing with. You do have to make sure that you are taking all of the right precautions when dealing with this stuff because it can easily spread disease and it could even affect your respiratory system. It’s also a good idea for you to look out for insect wings, carcasses and even shedding. If you can find anything like this in a huge number, then this is a clear sign that you have a problem on your hands. When dealing with droppings, it helps to make a note of where you found them. This can indicate where in the house the pests are, and it can make it much easier for you to deal with them. It also shows the route that they take, and where in the house they are going when they come out.

Trails

Roaches tend to be more active at night. If you suspect that you have roaches then turn off all the lights and then wait a few hours. When you have done this, you then need to turn the lights back on. The roaches will immediately scatter and look for somewhere to hide. If you have good eyesight then you will probably be able to see where they hide. If you don’t then you can usually find their trail. This is essentially faeces, and you will know instantly when you see it. Bugs like this can usually be found hiding in microwaves, coffee machines and in some instances, even gaming consoles. This may sound hard to believe, but so many people have spoken of this in the past.

Property Damage

If you have physical damage to your property or even to your business, then this is another sign that you have a pest problem. Termites can cause devastating structural damage if you are not careful and you also need to look out for things such as wood piles, sagging structures and mud tubs. You may even find them in your closet. If you see holes in your clothes however then this indicates a moth infestation rather than a termite problem, so it’s worth taking this into consideration. If you do suspect that you have termites then it is so important that you really put the work in to get the problem dealt with as soon as you can. If you don’t then the structural damage that they are doing will only get worse and this can cost you a small fortune in repairs.

Wire Damage

Stripped wires and holes in various locations can indicate a rat problem. If you find chew marks or even splinters of wood then this is even more the case. Rat’s teeth never stop growing, so this means that they need to file them down on a regular basis. This helps to keep them at optimal length, but it can also wreak havoc on your property. They tend to like chewing through electrical wires but it is possible for them to chew through just about anything. This can pose as a hazard if you notice live wires with chew marks in them as this could essentially cause a fire, so getting the problem dealt with swiftly is crucial here.

Ant Lines

Ants might be small, but they can be very easy to see. The main reason for this is because they like to travel together in strict lines. They like to make their home outdoors, so look out for any rotten wood or general weak spots. This will help you to find out if you have an ant problem. It’s a good idea for you to check around your doorways, your windows and even behind your AC units. Ants can wiggle their way through these openings and into your property with ease. Some of them even have the potential to sprout up in your pavement or even in driveway cracks. If you do see some then watch them to find out where they could be travelling. You can then find out where they have made their home as this will help you to deal with them much easier.

Pets

Did you know that it is more than possible for your pet to tell you if you have a pest problem? Cats and dogs are far more likely to notice them when compared to you. Fleas can also be a problem if you have pets, so if you see them scratching or itching a lot then it’s important that you act quickly. When dealing with your pet’s fur, wear gloves and give them a flea bath. If your pet does have fleas then there is a chance that they have made their way into your home as well. One way for you to find out if this is the case or not would be for you to set a flea trap. This is super easy to do, and it helps you to know if you are treating the right pest problem. It’s not just your pets that you need to watch out for when you have a flea problem however because you also need to look out for bite marks on yourself as well.

Noises

Smaller pests are probably going to be very quiet, but if you hear certain noises and you can’t quite figure out where they are coming from then this could indicate a pest problem. Bigger and more common pests such as rats, mice and other rodents can easily make a good amount of noise as they make their way up into your walls and even into your roof as well. These sounds may sound like running but it is also more than possible for them to sound like scratching noises as well. If you suspect that you have rats because you keep hearing scratching outside then this could indicate that rats are making a nest. If this is the case then it is so important that you keep your outdoor area as clean as possible. Rubbish can really attract rats because it provides them with the food they need to fuel themselves and they also have the packaging they need to make a nest. If you suspect that this may be the case then it’s well worth you looking into a same-day rubbish removal service and checking out a few cleaning tips. This will help you to get everything cleared out in a very short space of time, and it also gives you chance to deal with the problem before it gets out of control.

Pantry

Pests tend to go where the food is. For this reason, you need to make sure that you check your pantry as this can be a clear indicator that you have a problem. Common pests usually come in from the outdoors but they know you have food, and that is why they are often so focused on making their way into your home. Food can include spices or even rice. You may not think to check food like this but it is so important that you do. Food on the floor can also act as bait for common pests so if you want to try and avoid this then try and keep your home as clear as possible.