Whether you own a home or rent, you’ll likely deal with pests in your living space at one point or another. Small animals, insects, and even fungi can become troublesome if they take up residence in your home. There are so many ways to deal with different types of pests, but how do you know if they worked? How do you know if you even need them in the first place, for that matter?

Below are three of the biggest signs that you’re dealing with an infestation in your home, and also how to know when your treatments have worked and the infestation has moved on.

3 Sure Signs that You Have a Pest

There are many different types of pests, and they all present different signs that they’re around and present different problems. Pests come into your home for many reasons. But, at times: they think your house is a nice place to live too! Leaky pipes can draw rats under your house for the water, exposed raw wood can attract termites, and any unsealed holes and cracks become an invitation for insects of all kinds.

Here’s how to know when you’re dealing with an infestation:

1. Noises in the Walls or Ceiling

Small animals such as rats, mice, possums and birds will make scratching noises when they move around. These types of animals tend to get in the spaces between walls, underneath the house, and in attic crawl spaces. You are more likely to hear their noises at night, and you may hear them fighting/chewing in addition to the scratching.

2. Unexplained Odour

If you’ve been cleaning your house like crazy, trying to get rid of a foul odor, then you might have pests. Small animals and insects nest where you can’t see them at first. They leave droppings, rotting food, eggs, and all sorts of stuff in your walls. As these things build up, it will create an odor you can’t get rid of no matter how hard you try. The only answer is to get rid of the pests. Once they are gone, the smell they left behind will be able to dissipate over time.

3. Insect Residue

Insects can nest/infest in your walls for a long time before you realize they’re there. You can look for evidence of infestation long before the roaches are crawling out of the walls. Insects tend to leave behind a residue. Droppings, tiny little body parts they’ve lost, and even the occasional bug that died while foraging outside your walls. If you only see this every now and then, may only have a light infestation. If you consistently see evidence of bugs, then you’ve likely got a problem.

How to Know When the Pest is Gone

Now that you know the signs of having pests, it is easier to explain how to know for sure when they’re gone. You see, it’s not always easy to get rid of an infestation. Especially when you’re dealing with insects. If even a few are left alive, they will continue to rapidly repopulate until you are completely swarmed again.

So, it’s imperative that the initial pest problem is solved-fixed-gone. Here’s how to know if you’ve accomplished this:

Rats, Mice, Possums

The first thing you will notice is that the noises are gone. Your house will also begin to smell better. Monitoring with lockable baited stations will allow you to keep on top of the pest problem ongoing, providing piece of mind. You can also leave out a few baited traps. If you catch anything, you’ll know you still have some work to do. If you only catch a couple of babies, you are likely in the clear. A baby would not be out looking for food on its own if any adult pests were still alive.

Insects

With insects, there is never any one-hundred percent guarantee that they’re gone. In these situations, the best defence really is a good offense. Take measures to prevent insects from spreading, and create an inhospitable environment for them. Seal up all cracks and holes in your home, use covered garbage cans, and clean up any food messes immediately. Also, make sure you use your dishwasher nightly and clean it out regularly. House keeping and hygiene improvements inside and out can have an enormous impact.

While you may not be able to know for certain that the bugs are completely gone, you will know when you are winning the fight against infestation. You will see less bug residue, and you can always do the dark test. Turn out the lights in a room with dirty dishes in it. Wait an hour and flip the switch. If you still have a problem, you’ll see them scurrying away.

Your Best Bet is to Call a Professional

Pest control is not as simple as it looks, and it often requires intricate inspections/applications. Your best bet is to call a professional to handle any infestation. You might even consider having regular treatments to prevent infestation. Pests can cause a lot of damage to your home, and they also carry diseases. So, it’s definitely worth working with a professional to keep them at bay.

Neighbourhood Pest Control is Melbourne’s best pest control service. We service domestic and commercial buildings in Melbourne as well as Geelong. Visit our website or call us to get a free quote today.