Wildlife, Rodent, & Pest Control Services

Common Signs of a Pest Infestation in Your Knoxville Home: What to Watch Out For

Pests come in many forms and the problems they can cause in your home are wide-ranging. Some pests are very destructive to your home and everything in it. Other pests may be carriers of dangerous diseases. Certain pests may even be aggressive, attacking with bites or stings if you agitate them.

No matter the issues they cause, you don’t want pests living in your home in Knoxville. However, knowing that you have a pest problem isn’t always simple. Some pests can be quite stealthy, invading your home and multiplying for weeks or even months before you notice anything unusual. Continue reading to learn more about signs of a pest infestation that you should watch out for.

5 Signs That You Have a Pest Problem

1. Weird Smells – Most pests are good at keeping out of sight during the day, which is part of the reason they often go undetected for so long. As such, you may actually smell a pest infestation before you see it. Musky, ammonia smells are indicative of a rodent presence. An oily, musty odor is usually a sign that you have cockroaches in your home. Sweet, berry-like smells in your bedroom could be the result of a bed bug presence. While the exact smells associated with pests vary, if you start smelling something weird in your home, it may be time to call a pest control company in Knoxville.
2. Droppings – Everything poops; that includes pests. Lacking the modesty of us humans, bugs and rodents will freely defecate whenever the urge strikes them. Because of this, finding little droppings on your floor or on your counters may be the first sign that you have a pest problem lurking in the shadows. Looking at the size and shape of the droppings can tell you what sort of pest you’re dealing with; tiny black droppings that look like ground pepper may be left by cockroaches, while pellet droppings up to ¼ inch long are probably left by mice. If you find any sort of unusual droppings in your home, it’s safe to assume you have a pest infestation.
3. Property Damage – Pests’ destructive behaviors may leave telltale signs that they’re living under your roof, even if you haven’t seen them yet. Different pests may cause damage to different parts of your home, depending on their behavioral habits. If you find gnawed wires, it’s a sure sign that you have rodents in your home – and also a serious fire hazard. You may also find evidence of rodents gnawing on fabric, plastic, paper, and other materials. Meanwhile, if you find peeling paint, discolored drywall or buckling wood, you may have a termite infestation in your home in Knoxville.
4. Pest Nests – Oftentimes, invading pests will use parts of your home to make their home, whether that process involves scraping one together from scraps of materials or simply using the structure of your home as a foundation. Some pest nests are pretty obvious; you’ve probably seen spider webs and papery wasp nests before. Others can be more inconspicuous, however. Mice and rats will often use shreds of paper, insulation, plant materials, and fabric to build nests in remote areas. If you stumble upon such an odd assembly of scraps while cleaning out your basement or attic, it means you most likely have a rodent problem.
5. Outdoor Sightings – Obviously, if you see pests in your house, you know you have pests in your house. But what if you start seeing an abundance of pests outside your house? Often, an increase in pest activity on your property is a sign of a worsening infestation that has likely spread into your home or soon will. If you’ve been seeing ants swarming around your foundation or wasps building multiple nests from your eaves, there’s a good chance that those same pests have found a way inside your home. When this happens, schedule an inspection with a licensed pest control company in Knoxville to learn how widespread your pest issues are.

Knoxville’s Top-Rated Pest Control Company

If you’ve begun to notice signs of pests living in your home, it may be time to bring in the pros. Contact Critter Wranglers today if you’d like to schedule a pest inspection in the Knoxville area!