7 Signs You Need to Hire an Exterminator

According to a recent Consumer Affairs report found that over 39% of reported pests are bed bugs, closely followed by rodents and cockroaches. All of these pests are difficult to get rid of once they infest your home.

Keeping your home clean can do wonders in keeping these critters outside. However, it might be too late for that to make a significant difference. You may need to call pest control services in your area.

Here are seven signs that you need to hire an exterminator.

1. Persistent Droppings and Odor

One of the most prominent signs that you need expert pest management services is if you spot droppings or urine stains in your home. Pests like rodents, cockroaches, and other insects can leave waste wherever they travel. For instance, you might notice droppings under your kitchen sink or in the pantry.

The presence of droppings is not only unsanitary but can pose health risks. Diseases carried by rodents and cockroaches can transfer to you and your pets.

You may also notice odd smells that you can’t account for. Rodent urine produces a distinctive ammonia-like scent. Cleaning your floors and carpet won’t accomplish much if they return the next night.

Even if you rarely see the pests, the presence of droppings suggests that there are more of them than you might expect. Rodent control services can assess the severity of your infestation and employ home pest solutions that should work better than your DIY methods.

2. Visible Damage

Some pests can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked.

Most notably, termites can eat through wood and compromise the integrity of your floors, walls, and furniture. There are over 2,500 different species of termites, and you can find them in dry wood, damp wood, and soil.

Carpenter ants, like termites, cause damage to wood. They tunnel through wood and leave behind sawdust-like frass.

Rodents can chew through wiring, insulation, and drywall. They’ll get into your food stores and gnaw at your furniture. The same applies to squirrels that can enter your attic or crawl spaces.

Regular inspections can help spot termite damage before it becomes severe. Ridding your home of these pests is crucial at this point. Trying to eliminate them on your own may not work as quickly as you want.

3. Nighttime Activity and Noises

Have you heard strange noises at night, like scratching, scurrying, or squeaking? These sounds are a strong sign of an infestation.

Mice and rats tend to nest inside walls, attics, and under floors. They become more active when your home is quiet at night.

In Seattle’s colder months, pests often migrate indoors, making early detection crucial.

Most insects won’t make as much noise, but you can hear roaches making noise inside plastic bags or among your pantry items.

Finding nests located in your walls is not an easy task for most homeowners. You’ll have much better luck relying on professional pest removal services. They come equipped with the tools and expertise to find these nests and eradicate your pests.

In Seattle’s colder months, pests often migrate indoors, making early detection crucial.
Most insects won’t make as much noise, but you can hear roaches making noise inside plastic bags or among your pantry items.

Baby mice and tiny roaches often indicate breeding. If you see these during the day, it’s a sign that the pest population has grown too large to remain hidden. At this point, targeted home pest solutions are needed. 

5. Bites or Skin Irritation 

Waking up with red, itchy bites or rashes on your skin could point to the presence of bed bugs, fleas, or other biting insects. Bed bugs are particularly difficult to see due to their small size. Fleas are similarly hard to notice if you have a lot of dark bedding. 

Both of these pests can reproduce rapidly without early intervention. Bed bugs are notoriously resilient, and bug extermination tips will only get you so far. Fleas are often treated at the source, such as with your pets. 

An expert exterminator is necessary to deal with bed bugs that have migrated through more than one room. For more details about bed bug treatment options, check out The Ultimate Guide to Bed Bug Treatments: Everything You Need to Know. They can also help if a flea infestation has spread throughout your home.

7. Recurring Infestations 

You may have dealt with infestations in the past and feel like you know how to approach them. However, recurring infestations are a clear indication that you aren’t solving the core problem. 

Many pests have high reproduction rates, and DIY treatments only address the visible part of the issue. The nests and eggs may remain untouched and ready to start up the infestation again. 

If rodents keep getting into your house, there’s an easily accessible path they’re using. It may take the form of a hole in your roof or basement. Even something like a threshold gap can allow mice to enter your home through the space under your front or back door. 

Homeowners can rely on pest control to identify these problem areas and eliminate pests at their source. 

Call An Exterminator Today

Any one of these seven signs could point to a pest problem or worse. An infestation is a situation where you’ll be happy to have an exterminator help out. They have access to the best repellents and pest control solutions on the market. 

Eastside Exterminators have provided safe, reliable, and effective services throughout Seattle since 1969. We offer pest control, attic and crawl space cleaning, attic insulation, and crawl space insulation. Reach out to learn more and get a quote today.