Common Signs of Pests and What to Do

Discovering you have pests, whether it’s bed bugs, wasps, rats, or something else, can be a nightmare. You want them gone fast, but sometimes they are difficult to remove. Knowing the signs of some of the most common pests and what to do when you spot them will make it much easier to get rid of them. In this post, we’ve given the signs of the most common pests and the steps you need to take straight away.

Rats or Mice

Rats and mice are some of the most prevalent in the UK and some of the most dreaded. Luckily, it’s easy to spot the signs early and there are some quick remedies.

Signs of a rat infestation

• Footprints: you’ll spot tiny tracks in dust in the attic or other quiet areas.
• Droppings: small, hard pellets are a sure sign you have mice or rats.
• Urine smell: it’s difficult to mistake the smell of rats, it’s a strong urine smell that can burn your nose when strong enough.
• Chewed cables: they tend to chew through wires in your attic or other rubbery items.
• Scratching noises: one of the first signs is the scratching noise they make when creating a nest.

What to do:

• Inspect: find out where the rats or mice are coming from. It’s likely the attic but could be your kitchen, bathroom, or basement. Check all the nooks and crannies for holes they could be using to get in.
• Place traps: once you’ve located their entrance, put down traps with bait.
• Close up the entry points: block up all cracks, holes, windows, and doors to stop the rate and mice getting back in.
• Call a professional: if you’re dealing with an infestation, you’ll need a professional to remove the problem completely. We can use more effective treatments to exterminate the pests for good and help you avoid them coming back again.

Bed bugs

It’s hard to spot bed bugs and once you’ve noticed the signs, they can be hard to get rid of. But knowing the early signs will make eradicating them much easier.

Signs of a bed bug infestation:

• Blood: they expel the blood they consume so you might see small blood stains on your sheets or mattress.
• Faecal dirt: they also leave black stains or what looks like dark dust behind.
• Eggs: you might be able to spot the eggshells they are left behind after breeding.
• Bites: the bites are red and itchy, usually looking like irritated pimples. If you wake up with these, it’s a clear sign.

What to do:

• Don’t throw your furniture: this will spread the infestation throughout your house. Leave everything where it is.
• Don’t sleep in another room: they will likely follow you since you’re their food source, so you’ll spread the issue further.
• Wash everything: put everything washable including sheets, bedspreads, clothing, etc. in a plastic bag. Take it straight to the washing machine and put it all on a hot wash to kill any bugs or eggs on them.
• Hire a pest controller: it’s almost impossible to remove a bed bug infestation without professional help. We can use chemical treatment to fumigate your home and eliminate the infestation for you.

Wasps nest

More than just a nuisance in the summer, wasps can be a serious hazard when they start to sting. The last thing you want is a wasp nest on your property.

Signs of a wasp nest

It’s obvious when there is a nest nearby. You’ll see a lot of wasps buzzing around and they’ll be travelling in the same direction.

What to Do If You See Signs of Wasps Nest

• Follow the wasps: from a distance to remain safe, they will lead you to the nest or at least the opening of where they are burrowing.
• Leave the nest alone: if wasps feel threatened, they will sting and chase you away.
• Call a pest controller: We can remove wasps and their nest safely, avoiding unnecessary stings or stress for your family.