Before setting up camp at your summer home or vacation rental this year, have you checked that you and your family won’t be bothered by pests and rodents? Inspect each room so you’re not faced with the experience of pest infestation this season. Here are some key ways that you can tell if your home has dormant pests that will make their way out with the warm days.
Understanding what it is you should be looking for in your vacation home after a long-dormant season of no use is critical to avoiding pest damage. Keep watch for these pest and insect warning signs:
Finding droppings in your home
If you come back after the winter months and find brown pellets or small specks scattered in your home, this could be pest droppings. These will typically be found in piles close to a potential nest. The biggest droppings that you’re likely to find will probably come from squirrels, measuring around 1 inch long, whereas the smallest excrement you’re likely to find is a bedbug’s – which is the size of a pinhead and a light rusty color.
Gnaw marks on walls and furniture
Another warning sign that could mean you have pests in your home is if you find marks on walls and furniture that weren’t there last season. Finding teeth marks near small crevices can be a sign of infestation – likely caused by rats and mice. Gnawing marks tend to also be found where pests will remove the stuffing to make themselves a cozy nest somewhere quiet. This could include the attic, cupboards, or the walls.
Bad smells
If you’ve been asking yourself about certain random smells in your house, it’s likely there’s a plumbing issue. Unpleasant smells throughout the home are an easy indication that a pest or insect is living in your home. Rats and mice leave strong smells of urine, whereas bedbugs have a sweet odor, and birds have a musty whiff similar to mold. If the trash has recently been taken out and there are no signs of plumbing issues, keep an eye out for pests and call in the professionals.
Weird noises
Another huge indicator of a rodent infestation is scratching sounds or nibbling noises – these typically come from mice and rats. They will chew on just about anything. What’s more, mice and rats can easily find their way into basements and attics. They can squeeze through small spaces, so take a look around to ensure everything has a water-tight seal.
Damage to structures
Lastly, any physical damage to doors, furniture, wiring, wooden beams, and rafters should raise a red ‘pest infestation’ flag. Many pests will chew through structures to utilize materials for a nest. For termites, they will chew through anything for a nice feast. Pay close attention to anything that doesn’t look quite normal, any unexplained property damages could be a sign that pests live here.
Contact A&M Pest Control in Massachusetts
If you have a summer home in Cape Cod or the South Shore of Massachusetts, you should make sure to check it for dormant pests after a long season of not using it. Following the steps above will help you detect any potential pest infestation, but for a free pest inspection contact A&M Pest Control today at 508-237-9536.
