Well, it’s long into that time of the year in Albuquerque when a few of our desert creepy-crawlies come out of hiding, even in our homes. Although pests are good at hiding and can sometimes live among us undetected for some time, sooner or later, you may run into them. To make sure you aren’t sharing your home with uninvited guests, look out for these five signs of pest activity.
1. Dead Insects
Everyone finds the occasional dead bug on their windowsill or while vacuuming along the baseboards. Take note, however, of how many insects you find and what kind. A single dead stink bug or fly on the windowsill is fine. Multiple carcasses of the same species, of course, usually means the insects are living on your property. Even well-liked insect such as ladybugs can cause problems in large numbers, so be sure to take action if you see signs of a large population.
2. Unwanted Gifts
Pests aren’t good at cleaning up after themselves, so you may find their droppings long before you see them. If those aren’t chocolate chips on your counter, you probably have a mouse or rat living with you.
Insects, too, leave visible droppings behind. Insect droppings are tiny dots that look like coffee grounds or pepper. Urine and feces both contain pathogens, so be sure to clean them up carefully and thoroughly. If you can do so safely, save some droppings for your exterminator. Seeing them will help him identify what type of pest you’re dealing with so he can remove them quickly.
3. Strange Noises
Odd noises in your home can be a sign of pest infestation. Rodents such as squirrels, mice and rats are often heard scurrying from one place to another inside walls, attics and crawl spaces. You may also hear squeaking and chattering when the house is quiet.
If you’re hearing odd sounds, it’s time to call either the Ghostbusters or a professional pest removal service. Strange smells, too, indicate the need for pest control. Pests are often described as giving off a musky odor mixed with the smell of ammonia.
4. Property Damage
Pests cause structural damage to homes as well as damage to furniture and household items. Rodents chew everything and leave behind chewed wires, damaged furniture and nibbled food packaging. Rodents also use insulation for nesting material and may disturb or create holes in your home.
Insects, too, can cause property damage. Carpenter bees and ants, for instance, often bore holes in wood and leave behind small piles of sawdust. If you start seeing strange damage around the house, you probably have guests you aren’t aware of.
5. Landscape Trouble
Sometimes pests do damage on their way to your home, so look for signs of trouble in the landscape. Chewed plant leaves in the garden may indicate insects or rodents while small mole holes in the yard mean grubs are feasting on your grass.
Round dead spots also indicate insect pests. While you’re looking for signs of pests, look around for pest attractants, too. Wood piles, tall grass, open garbage cans and water sources all lure pests looking for food, water and nesting spaces in close proximity to each other. Treating and cleaning up the area around your home stops pests before they make it into the house.
When you know what to look for, you know when it’s time to have an exterminator visit your home. Even if you haven’t seen any pests, they may still be making themselves at home in yours. These pests can make you and your family ill, spread disease to your pets and cause physical damage to your home. Avoid these problems by paying close attention to the signs of trouble and acting on them immediately.
Have any questions about quality exterminators in the Albuquerque metro? Please leave them in the comments below. And if you have any questions about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!
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