A third of people with allergies are sensitive to cockroaches, and around 12% of people without allergies are sensitive to cockroaches, too.

From cockroaches to rats, pests in your home damage property and spread disease. Rats and mice alone are known to spread over 35 different diseases.

Whether it’s wasps, ants, or another type of pest, if you see signs of an infestation, you shouldn’t wait to call pest control.

Do you want to know the warning signs that you’ve got an infestation in your home or business? Keep reading to uncover 7 signs that it’s time to call a pest control company.

1. Pest Droppings

Pest droppings present a telltale sign that you have a pest infestation. For larger pests, like rodents and mice, fecal droppings are much easier to spot.

If you see multiple piles or tracts of what looks like dirt in your home, especially along walls and in corners, take a closer look. It might, in fact, be mouse or rat droppings. While rat droppings are larger in size, ranging from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, mouse droppings are usually 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch and with pointed ends.

Cockroach poop typically resembles coffee or pepper grounds, and you’ll find it in moist places, such as underneath the sink and in the corners of kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Bed bug droppings can be found as stains on the mattress or furniture they infest. Whatever the pest, fecal matter is a sure sign you’ve got a pest infestation.

2. Nesting Signs

Rodents make nests out of whatever they can find. Materials like leaves, shredded paper, and fabric provide perfect nesting materials.

Typically, rats and mice nest in hard-to-find places like between walls and underneath the flooring, which is why it’s crucial to perform regular inspections. They’ll take the small scraps they find and bring them back to their nesting spots to make them cozy.

Most insects multiply quickly. It’s essential that you find their nesting grounds as soon as possible to successfully eliminate your pest problem.

Swarming insects, buzzing sounds, and visible insect home structures all pose as warning signs that you have an insect infestation.

3. Gnaw Marks or Holes

Have you noticed any gnaw marks on the boxes in your pantry? What about on any electrical wires or along the floorboards of your home?

Physical damage is another sign that you have a pest infestation. Check the walls and floors for any small holes. Look for damaged wood, too, like on your furniture or an outdoor wooden deck.

Any unexplained property damage could indicate a pest problem, meaning it’s time to call a bug exterminator.

Remember that pests are dirty, too. If you notice any dirt, grime, or smudges along your floors, cabinets, countertops, or walls, it could mean that something else is living in your home.

4. Dead Pests

Not every pest that invades or lives in your home will live forever. If you find multiple dead rodents or bugs throughout your home, you probably have a severe infestation.

Insects are attracted to light. Knowing that, remember to check tables that have lamps, windowsills, and other well-lit areas in your home for dead insects.

Look out for body parts of insects, too, like wings or legs.

5. Weird Sounds or Smells

Have you noticed scratching sounds in your attic or in your walls when you sleep at night? What about a soft tapping sound? It’s not just rats and mice that make sounds. Termites, for example, move around during the night within your walls.

If you’re looking for signs of a pest infestation, listen for all different sounds, such as whining, squeaking, squealing, tapping, and scratching.

Have you noticed a strange odor in certain areas of your home? Typically, weird smells from pests come from rotting food and feces. Pests collect food crumbs and bring scraps back to their nests. Any pieces they drop or don’t eat will eventually rot, grow mold, and start to smell.

Their feces smell, too. Plus, if you notice any overpowering rotten smell coming from the floors, the attic, the basement, or your walls, it could be a sign that you have dead pests, like rodents.

6. Damaged Plants or Grass

Insects can do damage to your plants, both outside and inside the house. Check the leaves for gnaw marks and holes as many insects chew through grass, flowers, and leaves. If you see a bug you think is a culprit, capture a live sample to help the pest control services identify the pest.

Check for big patches of brown or dead grass as bigger pests often build tunnels and burrow holes beneath the ground. Check for signs around your home that plants, grass, or dirt have been disturbed.

7. Active Pest Sightings

While this may seem like an obvious sign, many homeowners see one bug or rodent and assume it’s a lone ranger. More often than not, this isn’t the case and indicates there’s a pest infestation.

If you open a kitchen cabinet and see a small group of ants or see a mouse scurry across your basement floor, you probably need rodent or bug extermination.

Collect as much as you can, whether it’s a live bug or details about where you saw the pests. The more information you provide for the pest control company, the faster they’ll be able to identify and eliminate the pest.

Don’t Wait to Call Pest Control

If you see any signs that you might have a pest infestation, don’t hesitate to call pest control. The longer you wait, the more pests you’ll have, which causes more damage and costs more money down the road.

If you notice any signs, notify your bug extermination company so they can come to your home or business and determine whether or not there’s an infestation.

Are you unsure whether or not what you’ve noticed constitutes an infestation? Contact us to find out so that you can move forward knowing your space is pest-free!