Signs of Pest Infestation and How it Can Impact Your Health

There are very few things that are worse than discovering that you have pests in the place that you call home. That sense of feeling uneasy isn’t pleasant – and that’s before you have to deal with the effects and the aftermath of the situation. Yet how do you know that the place you live in is home to not only you and your family but also some unwelcome guests?

There are certain things to look out for every so often when you’re going about your home, or even if you’re inspecting a new place to buy or rent, that should alert you to a pest problem.

Furthermore, pest infestation can impact your health too. Pests can cause allergies such as asthma, but they can also spread diseases like salmonella. You need to get rid of pests as soon as they arrive into your home.

These are some of the signs you need to be aware of so you can then take action.

Bad smells

If your home smells worse than usual, and you can’t find anything out of the ordinary, then this could be a sign of pests. When these pests leave behind urine and droppings, there’s a musky odor that you just can’t miss. Urine will smell like ammonia, and it can make it harder to breathe. These odors are common where there are sources of food, so check these areas for any signs of infestation first.

Droppings

If you’ve noticed any small black specks on the floor, don’t ignore this sign. If you find these in the kitchen, you may believe this is normal, but it simply isn’t. Pest droppings can look like black pepper and coffee grounds.

Gnawed wiring and furniture

Rodents are notorious for chewing on items. So if you have an infestation, then you are more than likely to find that your furniture has been damaged and your wires have been chewed on.

This can cause damage to your home if you don’t do anything about these signs. If these pests get into your wiring, they can cause safety issues from exposed electrical equipment. If you find any marks like this, then contact a pest control expert such as www.moxieservices.com as soon as you can so you don’t get any more damage.

Noises

Pests don’t normally make noise, but they’re not silent either. Make sure you listen carefully at night because this is the time when they’ll be at their most active. Pay attention to ceilings, especially if you have an attic or other areas that have a crawl space. Can you hear any steps or light taps? If so, then that will mean you have pests.

Nests

Rodents will make nests from anything that they can find – including leaves, shredded paper, and grass clippings. They will most likely find somewhere hidden to nest, such as under floors and between walls, so make sure you check regularly for these signs.

Grease tracks and marks

These often point to you having a rodent infestation. That’s because animals such as mice and rats like to use the same paths, which then leaves visible greasy trails. Rats are also known for running along walls, and will often leave dark oily spots wherever they end up going.