3 Simple Ways to Spot a Pest Infestation
Pests can be extremely destructive. That's because most of them are excellent at hiding, and they multiply quickly too. If you're not keen enough to identify signs of a pest infestation, you'll end up incurring a lot of costs in not only property damage but also in the removal of the pests. What's more, pests can contaminate your food and preparation areas, leaving you and your family at risk of developing health problems. For such reasons, building and pest inspections are of vital importance. Whether it's your house or one you're planning to buy, it's imperative to consider a building and pest inspection.
However, before you do that, it would be an added advantage to be able to spot a pest infestation in the first place. Here is a guide to help you with that.
Be Watchful for Nests
Nests are one of the most obvious signs of a pest problem. However, before you start looking for nests, you should be aware of the kind of nest to look for to understand the type of pests you're dealing with.
Rats and mice, for instance, tend to make nests out of anything they find. Therefore, with the help of a flashlight, look for shredded materials such as paper, cloth and string. You'll need a flashlight because the nests will often be hidden in crannies and nooks, inside cabinets or behind appliances in your kitchen.
Look for Pest Droppings
Pest droppings are another classical evidence that you may have a pest infestation. Just like the pests themselves, the droppings are also diverse. While it may be quite difficult for you to tell the specific type of pests you have just by their droppings, it's a sign that you should call in a pest control expert.
Also, keep in mind that droppings do not only include urine or faecal matter. Watch out for cockroach egg cases, skin shedding, insect wings and other such droppings too. However, be very careful when handling the droppings. Some of the droppings, especially faecal matter and urine stains, can spread diseases.
Be Keen to Identify Odd Smells
Pests tend to give off recognizable foul smells. You can catch a whiff of nasty smells when you are in the high-risk areas for pests such as the basement or even your kitchen. The odours are usually distinctive to the type of pest. Bed bugs, for instance, tend to have a musty odour. Therefore, if you catch any musty or strange odours in your home or a building you intend to buy, you may want to consider a building and pest inspection.