The best way to deal with a pest infestation is to spot it early and have it treated professionally. The problem is, it can be difficult to notice early signs of infestations. It is easy to dismiss the signs that you see around your house. However, if you know what to look for, you can quickly connect the dots and discover the pest problem at an early stage.

Different species of pests will leave distinct patterns and signs due to their unique activities. But as a general guide, here are some clues you should look out for to determine if your home has been frequented by pests:

Odour

Many pests emit scents, especially if there is a large number of them. Cockroaches sometimes give off a pungent, musty smell, as do rats. You may notice these smells when you open a dark cupboard or the storeroom, or your pet dog or cat may have heightened interest in certain corners of the house where these pests are likely to hide. When organisms die, they also give off unpleasant scents that you may be able to detect. Getting a whiff of these odours can be a clue that there are unwanted pests in your home – so take this as a sign and look out for where they may be hanging out.

Droppings 

If the pests are having a heyday feeding off things in your home, you can be sure they will also be leaving droppings around. Most droppings look like small, round pellets or specks, depending on the type of pest it came from. Other waste matter that can help you detect the pests are their eggs, egg cases, and wings. Often, these can be found near the skirting of the floor or in dark areas like behind the door, wardrobes, and storerooms. For bedbugs, you might find traces on your bedsheet, bed frame, mattress, sofa, or carpet.

Bite marks

Pests are unwanted in the home due to the damage that they cause. One way they cause damage is by chewing through items and furniture. For example, termites can chew through wooden furniture and compromise the structure of the wood. Rats can chew through clothes, electrical wires, and pipes. So, if you find holes popping up in your clothes for no reason, you can suspect that something has been gnawing through them. If you notice holes appearing in your wooden furniture, you most likely have a termite problem on hand.

Sounds

As pests move around your home, you can sometimes hear them scuttling around. Especially in your garbage bin, or dark and damp areas like underneath the sink, you might catch a sign of their movements. Larger pests like rats and cockroach often make rustling noises as they rummage and pass through things. Termites also make audible tapping and rattling noises when they are chewing through wood or threatened. Hence, if you hear any strange sounds coming from within your wooden furniture, there’s a good chance it may be termites.

Hopefully, these points will help you notice pest infestations in your home at an early stage. At any point you suspect a pest infestation, the wisest move to do is to call up pest control services without further ado. Be it termite treatment or bed bug control, professional pest control companies will know the right solution for your pest problem.