719-661-5310Pests can be quite annoying. It is for this reason that you need to be proactive. One way to ensure this is to come up with ways to detect them early on. Doing this goes a long way in preventing a minor annoyance from turning out to be a huge problem.
Most of the time, signs can go unnoticed. This is especially true if you are dealing with a small infestation. The main reason behind this is that during the early stages, pests are usually quiet and hidden. This makes it easy to overlook potential clues that they leave behind.
However, there are some ways to still detect them. This article looks at various signs that you may be missing.
Unusual Sounds
If you happen to hear some odd noises, that could be enough of an indicator.
Are There Invaders in Your Home?
This is especially true if the unusual sounds happen at night. The noises could be coming from pests engaging in a couple of activities. These include soft scurrying and light scratching. Such sounds mostly indicate the presence of rodents. They make such sounds as they move or chew on structures.
You may also hear soft tapping or rustling noises. These sounds could be produced by pests like termites. This is as they burrow through wood.
These sounds may appear subtle. However, they are a clear indicator that something is lurking out of sight.
Strange Smells
You might not know this, but your nose often knows more than you think. Musty or ammonia-like odors could indicate an infestation. Rodents are quite notorious for this. They often leave behind a strong scent. This is because of their urine or nesting materials. Others like cockroaches also leave behind an oily and unpleasant odor. You may smell this in dark and damp areas.
You may also experience a strong, decaying smell. This mostly comes from dead pests. This smell usually comes from obscured areas. Some great examples include the attic or under the floorboards.
Such strange smells are clear indicators of unseen activities.
Droppings in Hidden Spaces
Pests are known to leave droppings in obscure spots. You may find this in places like behind appliances and inside cabinets. Other potential areas include under sinks or in attic corners. These droppings are usually tiny. They hence blend quite easily with dust and debris. Due to this, it could be quite hard to notice them.
As a preventive measure, consider checking these tucked-away spots frequently. Doing this helps catch infestations early on. As you do the assessment, check for what looks like coffee grounds or black pepper flakes. If you notice such things in unusual places, that should be enough to tell you that it’s time to investigate further.
Grease Marks and Tracks
Pests may leave grease marks along walls and floorboards. This is as they move around your home. Rodents like mice and rats are known for doing this. They usually leave behind greasy smudges. This mostly happens as their fur brushes against the surfaces. These smudges can be faint at times. However, if you spot consistent trails, that could indicate a frequent rodent route.
Such signs show you are dealing with an infestation. This is especially true if the marks are in low-traffic or hard-to-reach areas. In such scenarios, it shows that it’s time to intervene and get the right remedy.
Damaged Plants
Doing an analysis of your outdoors also helps uncover unseen problems. One area to check is your plants. Look for chewed leaves and burrowed tunnels. You should also analyze to see whether there are broken stems. Such signs show you may have pests in your home. Some common pests that do this include moles and voles. Other examples include termites and carpenter ants.
If you notice plants showing unusual damage, it could suggest you have unwanted visitors. To avoid this, consider inspecting your outdoors frequently. Check for such early warning signs and address the problem. Doing this should help prevent pests from gaining access to the indoors.
When it comes to pest management, you mostly only think about what you can see. However, not all infestations are easy to detect. Some pests invade your home and cause significant damage. This is even before you realize they are there. It is for this reason that you need to be more vigilant. You need to check for signs like unusual sounds and strange smells. You should also be wary if you notice damaged plants or droppings in hidden places. Being proactive will help you take the right measures to deal with pests early on.
