Pests can cause severe damage to one’s home, especially without the help of a pest control expert. Interestingly, pest infestations are more common than most Aucklanders think, and they can cause a number of long-term problems if not properly dealt with. This is why early intervention is key.
From rodents and roaches to bed bugs and ants, there are ways to spot every kind of pest early on. With that in mind, here’s what you need to keep an eye on, so that you can easily identify a pest infestation and address the problem before it gets worse.
Ants
Ants are one of the most common pests in and out of homes. They survive everywhere, nesting in the garden as well as they do in the kitchen, sometimes in spite of an immaculately clean home.
Ants will head indoors in search of food and water, as well as shelter from the unforgiving elements, and they quickly grow in number without any pest control systems in place. If you notice a trail of ants in your home, it’s a strong indicator that there’s a large colony residing somewhere nearby.
One of the first places to check is in your garden. You can check your fence lines to see if there are anthills or nests, which look like a pile of dirt with ants travelling in and out. You can also try to look at your pet’s food and water bowl too see if they’re attracting any ants, as they will go after any possible food source. If ants are walking in a straight line into a hole in the wall, you may already have an ant infestation on your hands that you need to deal with immediately.
Rats
The signs of a rodent infestation are relatively obvious. If you start to hear odd sounds at night or smell strange odours, it can indicate that rats and mice are scuttling around in the walls or ceiling of your home. Mice give off a musty smell, while rats smell like ammonia (bleach). In combination with the smell, it’s important to keep an ear out for the pattering of rodents’ feet, as they love to run and hide. They often hide under floorboards, behind big furniture, or behind your walls.
Leaving these kinds of infestations to grow can spell big trouble, as rats and mice present major health hazards in larger numbers due to the amount of diseases they carry. However, with the right company, rodent control in Auckland is fast, easy and affordable, so there’s no reason to put it off!
Termites
You should be wary when it comes to termites and timber Borer, as they are extremely destructive pests that seek to eat your house itself! They often burrow into pieces of firewood or furniture that are made of wood, and feast on paper, books, and other documents lying around your home.
A common way for them to enter your home is hidden inside second-hand furniture, so if you’re purchasing something second-hand, or you’ve found some free furniture on the street, make sure to check it for these pests! Unusually light wooden furniture is a good sign of a termite or Borer infestation—chances are they’ve created a network of holes inside the structure of the piece, making it much lighter. If you see visible holes, sagging floors, unexplained sawdust, or the wood in your walls sounds hollow when tapped, it may be a sign of a termite or other wood pest infestation. It’s important to reach out to professionals immediately for pest control services as termites are fast-acting.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are another harmful pest. Roaches are known to carry diseases both in and on their bodies, and it can be hard to notice that you have an infestation until they grow fairly large in number. For context, one cockroach egg sac contains 30 to 40 more eggs, so one cockroach can quickly multiply into a much bigger issue. It’s important to note that they tend to congregate in areas near water, so pay attention to your kitchens and bathrooms.
Cockroach Infestation Signs
More often than not, these pests leave behind body parts when squeezing into tiny holes. You may find discarded skin, a part of their wings, or limbs in your window sills and floors. Typically, where there’s one of them, there are more lurking in the corners of your home.
Bedbugs
Bedbugs are small, oval-shaped insects that live on the blood of animals and humans. Though they aren’t capable of transmitting diseases, they can still be a nuisance. As they are very small, they can remain undetected as they lay hundreds of eggs. They are mostly active at night, and bite while you sleep. Their bites can give you itchy welts that only irritate more as you scratch. If you find yourself waking up and feeling itchy, you could have bedbugs.
If you’re not quite sure about what’s biting you at night, look for bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases. They congregate most often in the corners of mattresses, so give those a look in the morning for any small moving dots. These unwelcome guests multiply fast, so call the best bed bug control in Auckland promptly to make sure you rid of them as quickly as possible.
Tackle the problem with a professional, fast
If you believe that there’s an infestation in your home, know that you don’t have to take care of it alone. Professional pest control services are there for a reason. If you already see signs of an infestation, it’s best to call in the experts before the damage can get any worse.
Ecosan Solutions can help eradicate these pests, and we use human-friendly products with little-to-no quarantine time, so they’re safe for your pets and family. Call us today, and enjoy a pest-free home.