Have you just noticed droppings on your kitchen counter? Or maybe you have been waking up to bite marks on your legs? Either way, it sounds like you have a possible pest infestation in the house. This can be a big problem, especially if you have a family to keep safe, so you must act quickly.
There are numerous ways to deal with a pest infestation, but some methods can prove ineffective, especially if you don’t know the pest you are dealing with. Thankfully, this post outlines three steps to handle pest infestations at home.
Identify the Pest
When you first begin to notice signs of an infestation, you should use these signs to determine what pest has entered your home. This can enable you to act accordingly, as certain pests will require special types of control. Misidentifying the pest can lead to ineffective treatments and even exacerbate the problem in some cases.
One of the first signs that can help you identify the pest you are dealing with is its droppings. Mice, for example, will leave behind small, dark pellet droppings, while rats will have larger droppings. As well as the shape and size of the droppings, where you find them can also be used to help identify the pest and the extent of the infestation. Most pests will seek out wherever your food is stored, so the kitchen and pantry are the main areas to observe.
Similarly, rodents will often leave grease marks. This is because they follow the same paths, such as along walls and baseboards. These grease streaks will be difficult to remove. There will be visible signs of other pests, too, if you have an insect infestation. You might find live or dead pests, and you should also be on the lookout for shed skins if you suspect bed bugs or cockroaches.
Take Targeted Action
Once you are aware of the type of pest that has infested your home, you need to act accordingly. Targeted action is just as it sounds; the treatment used will be specifically aimed at the pest and more effective than a general approach. You might need to focus on particular areas of your house as well as the type of pest, but this will minimize damage, prevent the use of unnecessary resources, and reduce health hazards.
There are numerous ways to control an infestation, and certain methods will be better than others at eliminating the problem. For example, you might purchase snap traps to use with a rodent infestation, while sticky traps could be better if your issue is insects. However, if you are unsure about the best way to do this, you should seek advice from a professional.
You might need to research the best pest control company in your area, but this can be simplified by checking credentials and reading reviews. Some companies will specify in one pest, such as rodent pest control, so you are encouraged to check this before moving forward. The team you use will identify problem areas and put a plan in place to remove the pests.
Remember, Prevention is Key
After the infestation has been dealt with, you must make changes to avoid another pest problem in the future. Although some pest control companies will help you achieve this after clearing your previous infestation, you must work to do this alone, too. Thankfully, there are several areas of your home that you can target to keep your home safe.
Firstly, you should maintain cleanliness. You must clean surfaces regularly by wiping them down to remove crumbs and food debris, which could attract pests. Any food that you have should be kept in airtight containers, and any waste should be disposed of; bins should have tight-fitting lids, too.
Another aspect to think about is sealing off entry points. You want to ensure there are no gaps that pests can exploit to enter your home, so finding cracks and holes should be a priority. These might be on floors, walls, or even around pipes. Alternatively, you could install screens on doors and windows to keep insects and rodents out while allowing ventilation.
To conclude, when you first notice a pest infestation at home, it is important to act quickly. The three steps in this post are essential to complete if you want to keep your home clean and safe, while protecting the health of you and your family.
Tommy Hardy, an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has been a go-to figure in residential upkeep and innovation for over 18 years. His career commenced in a leading home appliance manufacturing company, where he mastered the intricacies of household systems. Joining our platform in 2020, Tommy quickly became a reader favorite for his practical and easy-to-follow guides. He took the helm of our DIY section in 2019, consistently delivering content that empowers homeowners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Tommy is a passionate gardener and enjoys woodworking, skills enhancing his hands-on approach to home care.
