5 Signs It’s Time to Call a Pest Control Professional

Identifying pest infestations early can prevent them from worsening and protect your home or business from extensive damage. Here are some visible signs of pest infestations and guidance on when to call professionals for safe and effective treatments.

Common Signs of Pest Infestations

1. Droppings and Urine Stains

   • Rodent droppings: Small, pellet-shaped droppings are often found near food sources, behind appliances, or in dark corners. Fresh droppings are moist, while older ones become dry and crumbly.
   • Insect droppings: Cockroaches and other insects leave tiny black specks (called “frass”) near their nesting areas or food sources. Insects like termites also produce frass, which resembles sawdust, near wood damage.
   • Urine stains: Rodents may leave urine stains along baseboards, inside cabinets, or in attics. These stains can attract more pests and cause unpleasant odors.

2. Damaged Furniture, Wiring, and Structural Materials

   • Chewed furniture and fabric: Mice, rats, and insects may chew on furniture, fabrics, and upholstery, leaving frayed edges or holes.
   • Gnawed wiring: Rodents frequently chew on wires, which can lead to electrical hazards. Damaged wiring is often found behind appliances, inside walls, or in basements.
   • Hollow-sounding wood: Termites feed on wood from the inside out, leaving structures that sound hollow when tapped. You might notice sagging floors, peeling paint, or even small holes in wood surfaces as signs of termite damage.

3. Strange Odors

   • Musty or oily odors: Cockroach infestations can create a musty, oily smell, especially if they have been present for an extended period.
   • Ammonia-like smell: A strong, musky odor can indicate a rodent infestation. The smell often comes from urine and is particularly noticeable in enclosed areas like attics, cupboards, or basements.
   • Decaying smell: If a pest dies inside walls or in other hard-to-reach areas, it can produce a foul, decaying odor. This is more common with larger pests like rodents.

4. Shed Wings, Egg Casings, or Nests

   • Shed wings: Termites and ants often leave behind discarded wings near windowsills or entry points. Wing piles are a common sign that termites are beginning a new colony.
   • Egg casings and nests: Pests leave egg casings, cocoons, or nests in hidden areas. Bed bugs, for example, leave behind brown, oval-shaped egg casings around bed frames, mattress seams, and nearby furniture.

5. Unusual Sounds and Activity

   • Scurrying and scratching: Mice, rats, and even larger insects like cockroaches make faint sounds as they move within walls, ceilings, or floor spaces.
   • Visible nests: Rodents often build nests out of shredded paper, fabric, or other soft materials in secluded areas like basements, attics, or crawl spaces. Bird nests near attics or vents can also cause secondary infestations by attracting mites.

When to Call Professionals for Pest Control

While minor pest issues can sometimes be managed with DIY solutions, certain infestations require professional expertise. Here’s when to consider calling in professionals:

1. Repeated Infestations or Severe Damage

   • If you have tried DIY solutions but pests keep returning, this often indicates a larger problem. Recurring infestations can suggest hidden nests, complex entry points, or resistant pests. Professionals have the tools and expertise to locate and eliminate these sources effectively.

2. Health and Safety Risks

   • If the infestation poses a health risk (e.g., bed bugs, rodents, cockroaches), a professional should handle it to ensure thorough removal and prevent contamination. These pests can transmit diseases or trigger allergies, making it essential to use safe, effective treatments that only professionals can provide.

3. Structural Damage from Termites or Carpenter Ants

   • Wood-damaging insects like termites or carpenter ants can compromise your home’s structure if left untreated. Signs of wood damage, sagging floors, or hollow-sounding wood indicate that the infestation may be too advanced for DIY methods. Professionals can identify and treat infestations to prevent further structural damage.

4. Large-Scale Infestations

   • If you are dealing with a large infestation, such as multiple nests, droppings in numerous rooms, or large numbers of pests, it’s best to call in professionals. Large infestations can be overwhelming and challenging to eliminate without specialized equipment and knowledge.

5. Toxicity Concerns and Safe Removal

   • Professionals use pest control methods that are safe for people, pets, and the environment. Pestmart, for example, prioritizes environmentally friendly approaches through Integrated Pest Management