The baseboard in your living room looks more beat up than normal, you’re noticing more dead bugs on your windowsill, and there’s a strange sound coming from inside the walls. These are all signs that you may be losing a battle with pests that are slowly invading your home.
While it’s easy to overlook small surprises around your home, a pest infestation can trigger a costly mess. Instead of settling for having unwanted guests in your home, learn to identify these signs of a pest infestation.
7 Signs of a Pest Infestation
1. Droppings
This one may seem obvious, but pest droppings aren’t always as easy to spot as you may think. For example, cockroach droppings can often look like coffee grounds. Cockroach droppings are small and cylindrical and can be dark brown or black. They can appear as smears on surfaces, so people will often just clean it up and move on.
If you notice unusual markings in your home, look closely. They could be droppings from small pests invading your home. Clean up the mess and call the professionals.
2. Gnaw Marks
Your baseboards are an attractive place for critters, like mice, to chew on. Gnaw marks or small pieces of wood sprinkled about your house are a sign that there is a pest issue in your home.
3.Dead Bugs
Finding a few dead bugs on your windowsill or in the basement isn’t uncommon. However, if they keep appearing, that may be a sign of a larger pest infestation.
4. Evidence of Nesting
When a pest discovers an excellent hiding place in your home, it may begin to construct a nest.
Signs of Rodent (Mice & Rats) Nesting
- Shredded paper: Torn-up newspaper, cardboard, or tissue.
- Insulation: Pulled from walls, attics, or appliances.
- Fabric pieces: Chewed-up clothing, towels, or furniture stuffing.
- String or hair: Human or pet hair, yarn, or thread woven into nests.
Signs of Insect Nesting
- Wood shavings or frass: A sign of termites or carpenter ants excavating.
- Small dirt mounds: Ants might create tiny piles of dirt near walls or cracks.
- Egg casings: Empty shells from hatched cockroaches or bed bugs.
- Insect shed skins: Leftover exoskeletons indicate an active infestation.
5.Odd Sounds
Rodent and insect infestations often reveal themselves through distinct sounds, especially at night when these pests are most active. Rodents create scratching and scurrying noises inside walls, ceilings, and floors as they move around in search of food. You might also hear gnawing as they chew through wood, wires, and insulation, or occasional squeaks and chattering, particularly in larger infestations.
Insects, on the other hand, produce subtler noises—cockroaches and ants may rustle through paper or food packaging, while termites create faint clicking sounds as they tunnel through wood. Buzzing or fluttering can indicate trapped flying insects like wasps or moths. If you notice these persistent, unexplained sounds, it could be a sign that pests have made themselves at home.
6. Small Holes
Even a hole the size of a pencil eraser tip is big enough for a mouse to enter. When small holes begin to surface around your home, they’re probably serving as an entry point for a variety of pests. If you do see small holes, seal them immediately.
7. Tracks
Tracks can be a clear sign that pests are actively moving through your home. Rodents often leave greasy smudges along walls and baseboards as their oily fur rubs against surfaces while they follow the same paths repeatedly. You might also notice footprints or tail marks in dusty or less-traveled areas, like basements, attics, or behind appliances. In addition to visible tracks, a trail of droppings is a strong indicator of an infestation, often found along their regular routes.
Seeing the Signs? Get in Touch with Plunkett’s.
When you’re ready to tackle the pests in your home or you’re looking to take preventative measures, Plunkett’s is here to help. We are a family-owned and operated company that has been in business for over 100 years. We can efficiently deal with your pest invasion! Contact us today to learn more or schedule a service.
