Three Fundamental Tips for Conducting a Simple Pest Inspection

Pest infestations can wreak havoc in your home by damaging the property, spreading disease and ruining your stored food. Therefore, if you suspect you have a pest infestation, you should plan for an inspection and subsequent control. In general, the inspection should be carried out by a qualified pest control specialist. The professional will use specialised equipment, extensive knowledge and deep experience to assess the house and find the nuisance creatures. However, if you are uncertain about the presence of pests, you can conduct a preliminary inspection. Here are some simple tips for determining if you have a pest invasion.

Understand the Pest

You should understand the characteristics of the pest you might have in your home. If you are not familiar with animals, especially insects, you might confuse a random one with a potentially invasive species. Therefore, take some time to review materials on the common pests found in your area. Check the general appearance and the distinguishing characteristics. Moreover, understand their habits, such as preferred food, living environment and possible negative effects. Remember, this information will be critical in developing a control or treatment plan.

Look for Live Animals

The best approach to confirming an infestation is finding the live pests in your home. If you have the information on the species, finding them should be easy. For instance, cockroaches are usually nocturnal, so you can find them at night. During the day, they often hide in dark corners. They feed on food particles around the home and are likely to be found in the kitchen. You can explore the places that are most likely to have your target pest or check the entire house for diverse species if you have time.

Check for Residues

In some cases, finding a live pest in your house will be challenging. If you are still worried about an infestation, you can look for residues of the animal. For example, rodents such as mice can be difficult to find because they might come into the house for a short period to feed and remain outside the rest of the time. You can determine if this is the case by looking for residues like droppings and unidentified fur around your house. Also, look for unexplained signs of disorder or damaged food items. Some insects, like bedbugs, are difficult to find alive, so look for rust stains or moulted skin. If you identify signs of a potential infestation, choose a qualified professional for pest inspection and control services.