Owning a home requires plenty of upkeep and maintenance. And rightfully so - it is most likely the greatest investment you'll make in your whole life. Keeping it well cared for is important to protect your investment, as well as to keep it visually appealing and comfortable for you and your family. Unfortunately, a number of things can go wrong in a house, including the dreaded pest infestation. Termites, bed bugs and other unwanted critters can wreak havoc on your home's interior and exterior, causing damage and discomfort.

 

While spring tends to be the most popular time of the year for hibernating pests to finally come out and make their appearance in a home, they can realistically come out at any time, making it important to know the signs that your house is infested. As you go about your regular cleaning routine, practice some proactive pest management by keeping watch for signs that may point to a pest infestation. If you spot anything unusual, it's important to call an expert pest control service to conduct a thorough home inspection. Here are a few signs that you may have a pest problem on your hands.

 

Gnawed Food Packaging

 

If you notice that your stored food products have been torn at or shredded, this is a pretty good indication that you've got a pest problem. Any food items that have been tampered with in this manner should be thrown out. Transfer any of the pantry goods that seem to be untampered with into an airtight container to prevent any of these bugs from further infesting your stored goods. Your next step is to call a quality pest control company to help you get rid of these unwanted guests. 

 

Droppings

 

Cockroaches, rodents, and other pests are pretty good at hiding, which is why you've got to keep a keen eye our for these critters. Because they are somewhat experts in keeping out of sight, their droppings will most likely be found in out-of-the-way spots around the home. As you clean all rooms in your house, make sure to delve deep in to your cupboards, under your furniture and appliances, behind any boxes, and deep into every nook and cranny you come across. Be on the lookout for rodent pellets, urine stains, and any other indication that these pests have been lurking around your home. If you find such droppings and urine stains, leave them alone. Instead, let the experts in pest control clean it for you, as these droppings may transmit the Hanta virus if they are not dealt with safely.

 

Sawdust Piles and Strange Holes

 

Insects such as carpenter ants and termites can easily destroy all the wood products in your home, which can cause a lot of damage. These pests are extremely annoying, especially considering how difficult it is to find them. If you discover strange holes, piles of sawdust or a powdery residue near your home's woodwork, it just might be the work of a wood-destroying pest. A pest control agency needs to be called immediately before further damage is caused, which can compromise the integrity of the structural components of your home. Other signs of these pests include sagging floors, wavy wood, loose trim and mud tubes.

 

Dried Blood Spots

 

Another nasty pest infestation that is common are bed bugs. These pests feed upon the blood of their victims, after which they become bloated with blood, leaving behind tiny blood flecks around the bed and other parts of the home. They also leave behind feces that appear to be blood droplets. If you come across any small brown or red flecks on your bed, walls, furniture or carpet, you might want to consider having your home inspected by a professional to check and see if these bloodsucking pests are the culprits.

 

Pest Nesting

 

Mice, rats and other rodents will make nests out of any material they can get a hold of. If you discover tiny bits of shredded fabric, paper or insulation, you might want to take a closer look. Using a flashlight, look into all the cracks and crevices in your home, and look for these red flags that may be an indication that rodents are present that are leaving behind this mess when building their nests.