Professional pest extermination is one of the many services every homeowner hopes to never need. But at some point, it’s inescapable. It wouldn’t matter where you live—the crowded city, the friendly suburbs, or the quiet countryside. There are pests everywhere. Sooner or later, these minibeasts will find their way into your home. So when should you hire a professional exterminator?

When to Hire a Professional Exterminator

All pests can cause some sort of damage, from rodents to termites. These pesky creatures can wreak havoc on your house or business. Don’t wait for them to destroy your property and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. 

Instead, consider starting to read some Orkin reviews and look out for these five warning signs.

Pests Keep Coming Back

Spotting a single creepy-crawly doesn’t mean your house is infested. However, it’s a tip-off if you see the same bugs that keep on returning to your home. What if you’ve tried everything, such as keeping your house clean and using traps, poison baits, sprays, and repellents, but to no avail? If you still can’t snuff out those insects, it might be best to contact a professional exterminator.

Holes and Gnaw Marks

Pests like termites, carpenter ants, and rodents will leave holes and gnaw marks on your door, walls, and wooden fittings. Termites and carpenter ants leave holes in many areas around the house. They can also jeopardize the structure of your property. Rodents, like rats, mice, and squirrels, cause less serious damage, but bear in mind that they tend to carry various diseases. It would be a good idea to get in touch with a professional exterminator if you spot holes or gnaw marks around your home.

Pest Poop and Other Debris

Some pests, like rodents, leave droppings in cupboards, corners, and other places where food is usually kept. They often manage to evade detection, as they only come out at night when everyone’s fast asleep. So, even though you don’t see them, you’d know that your house may be infested from the debris they leave behind. If you notice some pest droppings around your property but aren’t sure of the culprits, try calling an expert to identify the source. Different pests require different solutions. A professional exterminator will know how to force these gnawers out of hiding and eliminate them completely. 

Remains of Pests Around the House

You will discover that most bugs and insects have a relatively short lifespan. This means that you will likely find parts of insect bodies in and around your property. Once you find these remains frequently and in considerable amounts, call a pro to deal with your pest problem. 

Strange Scents

Pest infestation may bring with it some peculiar smells in your house. Some pests steal food, carrying it around. Sometimes, they drop some portions along the way, leaving them to mold somewhere. So, certain parts of your home may start smelling like stale, rotten food.

Other pests might die in your house, so they start to smell. Whatever the case may be, if you’re noticing strange scents around your house, consider calling an extermination company. 

Are You in Danger?

Some pests that may plague a home can strike you with a powerful sting or infect you or your family members with a disease. These include spiders, scorpions, bees, wasps, yellow jackets, rats, and many more. If you’ve spotted a couple of these nasty pests on your property, expect that there could be a lot more that you maybe haven’t seen yet. 

For instance, seeing a few yellow jackets coming out of a nest in your backyard can be a sign of a colony. Bees and wasps can be provoked to swarm, which can be dangerous even to those who aren’t allergic to their stings. If you fear for your safety and your loved ones, it would be best to call in experts to intervene. 

Regardless of what type of pest you’ve been trying to deal with at home, it’s never a pleasant experience. Many people handle them with store-bought chemicals and natural remedies. These may be viable options, but relying on a professional exterminator is your best bet.

For some great blogs about home improvement and home repair projects, visit the This Old House website. If you’d like tips on keeping your home clean, safe, and for information on services and helpful real estate ideas, check out the UCBR blog section.