Tell-tale Signs you are About to be Invaded by Pests

Exterminate! 

When it comes to pests taking over your home – and no, I’m not meaning your children – this is not time for welcoming them in and making them the new family pets. 

Pests in the home is no time to think about their role in the circle of life. You need to take the heartless view of The Daleks from the Dr Who TV series and ‘exterminate’ immediately! 

I’m referring to beetles, mice and rats, cockroaches, spiders, flies, and ants. 

What about gnats? Aren’t they a major pest? And where do gnats come from? 

Gnats refer to almost any kind of small flying insect. They prefer warm, moist areas with lots of decaying vegetation, like forest floors, swamps and dense or landscaped backyards. Potted houseplants and drainage or sewer systems are also good breeding grounds for gnats, as are fungus-prone areas like crawl spaces, attics, or walls with water damage. 

House flies are the most common gnat found in Britain and rarely arrive in swarms that occur in many humid countries elsewhere in the world, causing greater problems 

The creepy crawlies found in British homes over spring and summer months, do still bring the risk of various diseases, and in some instances can affect the structural integrity of your home.  

That can literally end up costing tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. 

How do I know I have Pests in my Home? 

A Pest Control vehicle parked outside your neighbour’s home 

Assuming it isn’t your neighbours work vehicle, the new presence of such a vehicle means pests of some sort are close by.  

Those pests that escape the neighbours will head to the closest home, yours. 

Find out what sort of pest problem they have and start looking for signs of them in your home. Don’t assume the neighbours house is the origin point. They might have spread there from your home. 

Lots of Spiders 

We’ve all seen someone “freak-out” at the sight of a spider, but the bigger problem is their food source. Lots of spiders means lots of other bugs. The spiders will control the bug population for a while, but not forever.  

Lots of Ladybugs 

Again, Ladybugs are not the problem, it is their food source you don’t want in your home. Ladybugs in your garden means they are feeding on Aphids and protecting your plants. Ladybugs inside your house could be a sign of mites, whiteflies, and scale insects. Those are what you need to remove 

I’m hearing tapping in the walls 

The good news, your house is not haunted. The bad news, your problem is much worse than a ghost! 

If it sounds like some tiny creature is headbutting your walls, you’re exactly right. You have termites! They don’t congregate in one’s and two’s; they congregate in colonies. They can literally eat right through your home. Get help quick. 

Dark Coloured Sesame Seeds? 

If you find little pellets like sesame seeds in your cupboards or behind the toaster, don’t be tempted to taste one. These are mouse droppings!  

You may find lots of these pellets around the home, near rubbish or perhaps in the garage. 

This is their breeding season, so numbers quickly get out of control. The roof is an easy access point for mice and rats if they have a tree to climb up. Trim any tall trees close to the house. For help with rodent control, consider reaching out to Turner Pest Control in Gainesville for professional assistance.

Seal cracks and gaps in the walls, pipes, and vents 

This will keep out not just rats and mice, but also cockroaches. They’re attracted by food waste, spillages, and stains on countertops. 

Keeping your home clean and removing all food waste outside will also prevent ants and flies. 

If you find Carpet Beetles in your carpet, widow ledges or on soft furnishings, and Biscuit Beetles found in the pantry and cupboards near biscuits, flour, cereal, pasta and powdered soup, then there are probably many more about and need to be exterminated.  

If you see any of these tell-tale signs of pests, you should act immediately and contact a Pest Control business to exterminate your infestation.