When to Call a Pest Control Company: 11 Signs It’s Time

1 You Keep Seeing the Same Pests

Seeing one insect does not automatically mean you have an infestation. Even the EPA notes that a single pest sighting does not always mean pest control is necessary. Monitoring the situation and identifying the pest first can help you decide what action makes sense.

The situation changes when sightings become frequent.

If you keep finding ants around the kitchen, cockroaches at night, spiders in several rooms, or other pests in places where they should not be, something may be attracting or sheltering them. Pay attention to how often you see them, where you see them, and whether the number seems to be increasing.

2 You Find Signs of Pest Activity

You may not always see the pests themselves. Sometimes, they leave small clues behind. You might notice insect droppings, shed skins, egg cases, small holes, or other signs around your home. These clues can point to pest activity, even when the pests are hiding.

Check areas where pests are more likely to stay, such as:

• Inside kitchen cabinets
• Around sinks and drains
• Near windows and doors
• Behind or under appliances
• Around the pantry
• In dark, quiet corners
• Along walls and baseboards

If you keep finding these signs after cleaning, there may be more pests nearby than you can see. That is when it can help to have the area professionally inspected.

3 You Notice More Pest Activity at Night

The house is quiet, and you are getting ready for bed. Then you notice insects moving around the bathroom, kitchen, or other parts of your home. Some pests are more active at night, so you may not notice them during the day. Seeing them regularly after dark can be a sign that they have found a place to hide nearby. Pay attention to where you see them and how often they appear. Check dark, warm, or damp areas where pests may be hiding.

If you keep noticing pest activity at night, it may be time to have your home inspected by a professional.

4 Your Food Packaging Has Unexpected Damage

You notice a small hole in a food package or find insects around your pantry. That is worth investigating. Pests are usually attracted to easily available food. Crumbs, open packages, pet food, and food waste can give them a reason to stay around your home.

Store food in sealed containers, clean up spills quickly, and keep your pantry clean and dry. Then check nearby shelves and cabinets for other signs of pest activity.

If you continue finding pests around your food, there may be a larger issue that needs attention.

5 You Notice Damage to Wood or Other Materials

Some pests can cause more than an everyday nuisance. Termites and other wood-damaging pests can affect wooden parts of a home. Look closely at areas where wood meets the ground, around windows and doors, and in other places where moisture may collect. If you notice unexplained damage, finding the cause early can help you understand how serious the problem may be and what should be done next.

6 There Is a Strange or Unusual Odor

Sometimes, your nose notices a pest problem before your eyes do.

A persistent musty or unusual smell in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, attic, or another enclosed area may be worth checking, especially if you are also noticing insects or other signs of pest activity. Certain pests can leave waste or other materials behind that create unpleasant odors.

If you cannot find where the smell is coming from, do not simply cover it with an air freshener. Try to find the source and look for any signs of pests nearby.

7 You Discover a Pest Nest or Egg Cases

Finding a nest, egg case, or a group of eggs can be a clear sign that pests are using the area. Depending on the pest, these may be found in cabinets, corners, cracks, closets, garages, or other quiet parts of the home.

Look closely in places that are dark, warm, damp, or rarely disturbed. If you find several nests or egg cases, there may be more pest activity nearby. Getting the problem checked early can help prevent the pest population from growing.

8 Pests Keep Coming Back After Cleaning

• You clean the kitchen.
• You wipe down the counters.
• You take out the trash.
• A few days later, the pests are back.

Sound familiar?

Keeping your home clean can help reduce food and water sources, but it may not solve the reason pests are getting inside or where they are hiding. Pests can enter through small gaps and stay in areas that are difficult to reach. If the same problem keeps coming back after cleaning, it is worth looking beyond the pests you can see.

9 DIY Treatments Are Not Solving the Problem

A store-bought spray may look like the easiest solution. Sometimes, it can help with a small pest issue. But if you have treated the same area several times and the pests keep coming back, the source of the problem may still be there.

If DIY treatments are not working, a professional inspection can help identify what is causing the problem and what needs to be addressed.

10 You Are Seeing Pests in Several Areas of the Home

Seeing a few insects in one area is one thing. Finding them in several rooms is another. If you are noticing pests in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, bedrooms, or other areas, they may have found more than one place to access food, water, or shelter.

Check around doors, windows, pipes, vents, and other possible entry points for gaps or openings. Finding these areas can help you understand how pests are getting inside and where they may be hiding.

11 You Are Not Sure What You Are Looking At

Sometimes, the biggest warning sign is simply not knowing what you are dealing with. You may notice tiny insects, damage, egg cases, unusual marks, or other signs but have no idea what caused them.

Instead of guessing or using a treatment that may not be right for the pest, it can be helpful to have the issue properly identified. Different pests require different methods of control. Knowing what you are dealing with is the first step toward choosing the right solution.