Have you recently noticed a foul smell in some areas of your house? Are there bite marks on your furniture? It’s possible for you to be dealing with a pest infestation, which has been going in the background for quite a while.
Pests are silent invaders, digging tunnels inside wood, moving in the dark, feeding on food leftovers, and thriving in dampness. Homeowners can detect their presence by looking for the most typical signs of infestation, such as droppings, grease marks, foul smells, damaged clothing, furniture, and plants.
Take a look at the most obvious warning symptoms of an infestation, suggesting homeowners in Adelaide it’s time to hire a pest control company.
Droppings
One of the most obvious signs of an infestation is coming across pest droppings in multiple places around the house. These repellent creatures aren’t exactly hygienic, hence leaving fecal droppings and urine behind. The waste of pests differs in size, shape, and density, which in turn helps homeowners detect the type of invaders in their households.
For instance, rodent droppings are larger and more solid in comparison with insect waste, being much easier to spot. Anyhow, rat, and mice feces are considered especially harmful to humans’ health, given the potential spread of bacteria and diseases. Once the feces dry out, they become dangerous to anyone who inhales them. See this page for some helpful tips for keeping your home free of rodents.
Moreover, rodent faeces is believed to spread life-threatening viruses, such as the Hantavirus, whose early symptoms include fever, headaches, exhaustion, and pain in the muscles. Also, the Bubonic Plague is another contagious disease spread via rodent droppings. Salmonellosis is usually contracted through the intake of food that contains traces of such feces. People experiencing this kind of food poisoning are subjected to fever and diarrheaa.
In the case of insects, faeces are substantially smaller and more challenging to detect, usually accompanied by wings and skin. For example, bed bug droppings are virtually invisible, generally detected while cleaning.
Grease and grime marks
Apparently invisible, pests let homeowners know about their presence in the house by leaving various forms of evidence. The largest part of pests enjoys spending time in dark, damp places, such as the basement or the attic. If you feel courageous enough to face these invaders, take a flashlight and head towards the darkest places in the house.
Once you arrive in the basement or the attic, look for pest evidence under the furniture, around windows, and inside cabinets. You’re likely to find food leftovers, grease marks, smudges, grime build-up, etc. Grease tracks are typical for rodents, which leave them by following the same route every single day. Also, floors covered in dust often reveal the movements of insects as long as you inspect them attentively. If you are interested in learning more about recognizing rodent infestations, go to this link https://www.familyeducation.com/life/pest-control/recognizing-rodent-infestations.
Unpleasant smells
Another unmistakable sign of pest infestation is sensing foul odours in the house. Upon noticing unpleasant smells whose source cannot be detected, homeowners in Adelaide are suggested to request the assistance of pest control specialists. These professionals are capable of tracing the odour to the nest of pests, hence assisting in their extermination.
In addition, rotten food is usually the source of such a musty smell, as pests tend to take the food they find to hidden places in walls, under the floor, or in the basement. The odour is especially foul in the case of overripe fruit and vegetables. Another possible reason for the spread of such smell inside one’s home is the presence of pest droppings scattered around. Mice urine smells particularly musty, reminding homeowners of the ammonia odour.
Dead cockroaches spread an awful smell due to the production of oleic acid. Similarly, the rotting dead bodies of all kinds of insects are likely to produce a foul scent as well.
Damaged fabrics and clothing
Adelaide residents should suspect an infestation upon noticing signs of fabric and clothing damage. Nowadays, there is a myriad of Adelaide pest control services, providing protection of public health and properties. These specialists are boasted for the fast detection of infestation sources and the employment of environmentally friendly methods for the extermination of these nasty creatures.
Although moths are the main culprits when coming across deteriorated clothes and fabrics, they aren’t always to blame for such damage. Ants, mice, and beetles are equally capable of chewing materials, furniture, and carpets. Apart from tiny holes, look for dirt, grime, and faeces. The most effective method of checking for damage is inspecting the clothes that have been recently washed, as you couldn’t possibly get them dirty.
Structural damage
Besides fabric deterioration, pests are even better experts at causing structural damage in the form of crevices and gnaw marks. It’s common for pest-infested homes to show signs of destruction like floor, wall, and ceiling holes. Gnaw marks and chewed wiring is a clear sign of rodent infestation, as rodents are particularly fond of chewing objects.
Furthermore, any kind of wood damage can be related to a termite infestation. These creatures are believed to be the most destructive to both indoor and outdoor wooden structures. For instance, blisters in wood flooring, hollow wood, mid tubes, and swarms are some of the most common signs of the presence of termites.
Plant damage
The inside of one’s home isn’t the only area prone to pest infestation. Homeowners in Adelaide are supposed to look for signs of damage in their gardens as well. Gnawed plant edges and dead lawn patches are indicators of the presence of beetles, flies, crickets, and other insects.
Keep in mind that pests are attracted by standing water, which is common in most yards. Since these creatures thrive in damp conditions, it’s vital to direct rainwater away from the house as much as possible.
Final thoughts
The minute you notice any of these signs, make sure you call the experts.
Waste no valuable time!