Buying a New Home? Signs of Pest Infestations to Look out For

If you’re looking to buy a home in the St. Petersburg area, you should make sure that your house isn’t already home to unsavory squatters such as roaches, bed bugs, and termites. These pesky creatures can be hard to detect, but their presence can wreak havoc on a home in no time. If you suspect these or other common pests have established residence in the home you’re on the verge of buying, here are a few signs that you’ll want to be on the lookout for.

Odd Sounds and Smells

Some pests give off recognizable scents. Bed bugs are reputed to have a musty, sweet odor, while rats and mice often give off a musty, ammonia smell. Roaches are said to give off an oily odor, but most of the time people don’t recognize them until they see them with their own eyes (and then they immediately try to figure out how to get rid of them). Termites are also said to give off an odor that smells like mildew or mold; it is often mistaken as water damage. If you notice any unfamiliar smells, see if you can find where it is coming from; you may find the source being an infestation. As for odd sounds, sometimes you can hear insects and rodents moving inside the walls when everything is quiet – it usually sounds like a scratching noise. If you hear or smell anything strange, a pest inspection may be your best bet.

Pest Droppings and Dead Bugs

If you’re finding pest carcasses inside your home, you can be almost 100% sure that live pests are around. Droppings are a good sign that the house has an active infestation. If you have an excellent reference book, you may even be able to identify exactly what type of pest by identifying the droppings. Some people say rat droppings look like black olive pits, while roach droppings look like black specks. Either way, if you find bizarre dark particles around your house, you should call a professional.

Gnaw Marks and Holes

If you find small holes in walls and floors, this can be indicative of a pest infestation. In particular, bite marks on wood and wiring could mean rodents and mice are in your house. If your home is constructed of primarily wood, then cracks and visible mazes within walls or furniture could be indicative of a termite infestation.

Sagging Floors and Hollow Wood

Termites are extremely destructive pests and their presence in a home can cause serious damage. Aside from cracks and mazes, visible holes or sagging floors in wood that sound hollow when tapped could also indicate an active termite infestation. Because they can cause serious damage to your home’s foundation, it isn’t in your best interest to try and handle the potential infestation on your own- professional assistance is required.

When it comes to detecting and eradicating pests in St Petersburg, we are second to none. Our experienced pest control professionals can find elusive pests and evict them from your future home so that you can enjoy your new purchase! Termites, bed bugs, and roaches don’t have a chance of success when they’re up against the experts at Anti-Pesto.
Learn more about our pest services in St. Petersburg today!