3 Top Pests And Symptoms Of Infestation
Are you worried about "creepy crawlies" in your house? Are you wondering if it's time to call in a pest control company like Paramount Exterminating Co? Here are signs of some of the most common pest infestations:
Bed bugs: Many people view bed bugs as an "old fashioned" pest that won't show up in modern, clean, homes. However, all it takes is one near-invisible hitchhiker and your home could become occupied, whether you're fastidiously clean or not. If you have red bite marks all over face, arms, legs, neck and other exposed parts of the body, then that's a good sign you have a bedbug infestation.
Bedbugs are small, about the size of an apple seed, but you may also be able to find shed bed bug exoskeletons near where they're hiding. Without magnification, a bedbug has an appearance that is quite similar to an immature tick. You may also find crushed bedbugs in your bed in the morning, having rolled over them in your sleep. In addition, bed bug infestations are sometimes accompanied by a sweet, musty odor.
Termites: You may be familiar with the most well-known signs of a termite infestation: wood dust or sawdust-appearing droppings around the bottom of wooden structures or trees. However, there are other signs that you should be aware of. When founding a new colony, termites can fly, but once they've found a place to live, they discard their wings.
Piles of small translucent wings are a good sign that a termite colony has recently taken up residence nearby. Cracked or distorted paint on windowsills or other painted surfaces can be a sign that termites are underneath, chewing through and warping the wood. Finally, termites may build mud tubes up the side of a wall to protect themselves while they search for more food.
Rodents: Rodents can be either rats or mice and they both types of infestations have similar signs. Even though you might have a cat, many rodents are smart and learn to avoid felines, meaning that the services of an exterminator will be required to fully get rid of the problem. Unfortunately, the first sign that you have a rodent problem might be seeing one run across your floor or along your counter top.
You can also be on the lookout for droppings in cabinets, behind large appliances and underneath pieces of furniture. If you are trying to figure out if you have rats or mice, look for greasy smudges along your baseboards. As rats run along the base of your walls, the grease in their fur tends to rub off and create marks. Mice, on the other hand, do not leave greasy smudges.