Emergency Pest Control: What to Do When You Spot an Infestation
As the weather turns chilly, pests, just like humans, are seeking comfortable and warm places to wait out the cold. Our homes and businesses attract pests and what begins with a bug or two can quickly turn into an infestation that gets out of hand.
It is important to keep an eye out for pest infestations as many pests can carry diseases. When in your home, pests can contaminate a family's food supply by coming in contact with surfaces where food is prepared or stored or by feeding on you, your family, or your guests.
Prevention
The first line of defense against a winter infestation is prevention. The two main ways to prevent infestation of pests is to block entry to your home or business and to eliminate sources of food and water. Use the strategies below to discourage unwelcome house guests from infiltrating your home and ruining your holidays.
To prevent pest entry into your home, consider:
- Sealing all holes and entry points to the building
- Removing containers surrounding the property that could gather and hold rainwater
- Storing food at least six inches off the floor
- Cleaning and sanitizing food prep areas immediately after use
- Properly disposing of trash inside and surrounding the building
- Storing food properly in air-tight containers
- Repairing all leaky pipes or faucets
- Routinely cleaning the home or business, especially hard-to-reach areas
Spotting an Infestation
Despite all strategies you may employ to prevent infestations, they can still happen. It is important that you can spot when pests are getting out of hand. Our experts at MosquitoNix® have developed a list to help you spot when you may be dealing with an infestation of pests.
Signs of a Pest Infestation
You Can See or Hear Pests
Some pests travel in groups, like bed bugs, termites, and cockroaches. If you see one or more of these pests, chances are you are dealing with an infestation. If you spot rodents like mice or rats, chances are there are more that you do not see.
If you see other pests like flies or gnats, it is best to assume there are more. Acting quickly and calling an expert for help is the best way to ensure you keep your family and guests safe from the diseases that some pests can spread to humans.
Sometimes, you can hear pests like mice. Mice like to enter homes and buildings and built nests in the walls. You can sometimes hear them moving around or chewing.
You Find Nests
Mice often build their nests in undisturbed, enclosed areas like cabinets or drawers that are not often opened. Warmed garages and attics are favorite nest-building sites for pests like mice who are looking for warm, protected spaces to build their own families.
Be vigilant and check these spaces often to ensure you are not housing any unwelcome guests that could pass diseases on to you or your family.
You Spot Bug Shells
Some pests, like bed bugs and cockroaches, leave behind the tell-tale sign of bug shells. These shells are from the bugs molting and they can indicate a serious problem.
If you spot bug shells, contact an expert like the ones at MosquitoNix to find a quick and effective solution to your bug problem.
Pest Droppings
Another way to spot an infestation is to look in dark, hidden spaces for pest droppings. Pest droppings are an early warning for termites and calling an expert immediately can help save you expensive costs from termite damage.
While checking dark spaces like cabinets, basements, and hidden areas, be careful not to directly touch any droppings. Pest droppings are often toxic to humans. To protect yourself while searching, wear gloves and a face mask to avoid coming in contact with or breathing in any toxic droppings.
Foul Odors
Another warning sign to a pest infestation is the appearance of a foul odor. Pest droppings can sometimes smell and alert you to a problem.
A smell of mold can also indicate a current or future problem with pests. Mold can attract pests that feed on the organic matter that is molding. When in doubt, it is best to contact an expert to help you ensure your home or business is pest-free.
Neighboring Infestation
A pest infestation can spread quickly. If you have a neighbor who is experiencing an infestation, it is important that you remain vigilant in spotting the signs on your own property.
The only way to ensure an entire property, like an office building or apartment, is completely free of a recent infestation is to quarantine and treat the entire property at one time.
If you live or work in a shared building and suspect a pest infestation, consider speaking to your neighbors and working together to rid yourselves of the problem. Our experts at MosquitoNix are ready and willing to assist property owners with their pest infestations.
What to Do if You Suspect an Infestation
You have used our list above and have determined that you may have a problem with a pest infestation-now what do you do?
To handle the problem as quickly and efficiently as possible, it is best to leave the heavy lifting to the experts. Unfortunately, it can be incredibly difficult to rid your home or business from pests on your own. To avoid the risk of a transfer of disease or toxic contamination, it is best to call a professional to evict unwelcome pests.
No More Pests. Period.
Our experts and technicians are trained to handle pest infestations so you do not have to. Avoid the mess and hassle all together and trust MosquitoNix to do the heavy lifting in eradicating your pest infestation. If you suspect a pest infestation, get a free estimate or get an online quote today.
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