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How to Know When to Call a Specialist

Seeing a bug or two crawling around can be unsettling, but it isn’t so bad. Once you start seeing them by the dozens, you might have a problem on your hands that requires help from a specialist. Waiting too long to address an infestation can result in various issues with your home and your health. Do you think you might need to call pest control in West Palm Beach? We have multiple technicians ready and willing to handle your biggest concerns!

Warning Signs of a Pest Infestation

Knowing when to get the experts involved can save time and prevent any extensive damage to your property. To get rid of the issue before it’s too late, you’ll want to know the top warning signs of a pest infestation. Below, we’ve listed some common things you should watch for if you suspect an infestation. If you notice any of these signs, you should call a pest control specialist immediately.

Property Damage

If you notice any gnaw marks on your wall or furniture, that’s a major red flag of an infestation. Many pests will chew through and damage areas in your home to access food, water, or shelter. Some insects that can damage your wooden furniture are carpenter ants and powder post beetles. Rats and mice will constantly gnaw on soft materials and can chew through electrical wires as well. Pests will often leave urine and feces everywhere, which can also cause structural damage. Check for critters that like to hide in common areas like your pantry, kitchen cabinets, and under furniture.

Droppings

Another telltale sign that your building is infested with insects or rodents is finding droppings everywhere. You’ll know what kind of pest you’re dealing with by identifying the type of fecal matter you see, as the size and shape will vary. Rodent droppings are smoother and have a point at the end, while insect droppings are much smaller and rounder. There’s even a difference between the droppings of rats, mice, and squirrels as there are with bed bugs, roaches, and bees.

Strange Odors

Many pests give off strange odors, so you’ll know you’re dealing with an infestation if your home or office smells different. These nasty smells can come from plenty of things. You could be smelling their urine or feces, or you might even get a strong and unpleasant smell if they’re dying in parts of your home. Some pests leave behind pieces of food they carry, resulting in the smell of something rotting or going stale.

You’ll Hear Them

Some pests are noisier at night, especially rodents. You might often hear some mice scurrying or squeaking through your home’s walls and floors as they get around. You can also hear larger bugs if you listen closely. Some rodents might be carrying diseases, and others can be aggressive if they’re provoked. Not to mention all their ruckus can interrupt your sleep! You will want to call a pest control specialist to examine the situation.

You’ll See Them

Hearing pests is one thing – seeing them is another. If rats or roaches are crawling out in the open, it’s a warning sign that an infestation has gotten out of control. They love to hide and are pretty good at it, so seeing one that isn’t in your walls, floors, or cabinets means they might not have anywhere left to inhabit. Don’t even try to exterminate them on your own at this point. Bring the professionals in to handle the situation!

You or Your Family Are Getting Ill

Since many bugs and rodents crawl through unsanitary dumpsters and sewers, they carry a lot of dangerous bacteria that can cause you to get sick. As they roam around your home or office, they spread their diseases everywhere. Once they get into your food, they can contaminate it and cause issues such as food poisoning. If you or someone in your household has suddenly become ill, a pest infestation may be the one to blame.

Nesting Materials

Pests like to nest so they can make themselves at home, and most of them use whatever is readily available. You might notice some fabric out of place or shredded papers lying around because of this. It’s good to check the common areas in your home where pests like to shelter with a flashlight for evidence of nesting. These areas include cabinets, drawers, and behind your kitchen and laundry appliances.

Damaged Food Packaging

One of the main reasons pests make their way into your homes or buildings is the abundance of food and water available. They’ll stay in your pantry and start shredding your food packaging for their next meal. If you notice any damaged food packaging in your kitchen, discard it immediately and call a pest control specialist.

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Reasons Why You Need a Professional

You might think it would be easier to buy some traps and sprays to exterminate the pests yourself. That’s good if you only have a small number of pests. We advise you to call a professional exterminator in the event of an infestation. They’re trained to eliminate the problem and prevent more pests from entering your home in the most effective way possible. Below are some more advantages to getting rid of the problem with a trained pest control specialist.

To Protect Your Health

Where there are pest infestations, there are diseases. Insects like cockroaches, fleas, and bed bugs transmit viruses, parasites, and other harmful bacteria that are hazardous to your health. Not to mention there are many bugs out there that can bite, sting, and trigger allergies and asthma. The health of your family or employees is worth investing in a professional exterminator.

They’ll Find the Source of the Problem

A pest control specialist will know how to find the source of the infestation and therefore prevent another one from occurring in the future. Once an exterminator finds out how rodents or insects are entering your home, they’ll come up with a solution to eliminating the source. That can either be sealing all cracks, recommending tighter lids on your garbage cans, or improving the cleanliness of your house.

It’s More Effective

If you notice store-bought sprays and traps aren’t doing the trick, you’ll need to hire a professional for a much more effective solution. Since they’re highly trained, they’ll know how to identify what kind of pests you have and provide the best method of treatment. You’ll also save so much time and hassle by letting a pest control specialist handle everything efficiently.

You’ll Be Less Stressed

We understand how sharing a home with rodents or insects can be stressful. Why worry about when the next roach will pop up or why those store-bought traps aren’t working when you can simply hire a pest control specialist to handle everything? They’ll do all the hard work while you take advantage of a pest-free home!

It’s Safer

Most sprays you might use to exterminate pests can be toxic to humans or pets if handled incorrectly. If you aren’t familiar with certain chemicals, it’s in your best interest to hire a specialist who is. A trained pest control specialist will know how to use the right amount of chemicals to ensure no harm to those in your household. After all, we want to get rid of the pests, not the homeowners!

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Common Types of Pest Infestations

From creepy crawlies to flying insects to squeaky rodents, these pests can wreak havoc on your home! Most of these critters account for millions of dollars of lost food and home damage. Below are some of the most common kinds of pests that can infest your home or commercial building.

  • Cockroaches
  • Rats and mice
  • Bed bugs
  • Ants
  • Rodents
  • Wasps
  • Fleas
  • Spiders

Are Infestations Dangerous?

Most definitely! Pest infestations can be a hazard to your health and your home. They’re especially bad for those who already suffer from allergies and asthma. For example, a roach’s droppings and carcasses release a protein known to trigger an allergic reaction or an asthma attack. Not to mention they can contaminate the food you and everyone else in the house eats if they get to it! Most bugs can damage the structure of your home with their droppings or by them gnawing on them. Over time, this could cause certain areas of your home to crack or collapse. That will require an extensive and expensive, and it could lower your home’s resale value by a lot.

What to Expect During a Pest Control Service Visit

First, your pest control specialist will introduce themselves. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have when you first meet them. Next, your pest control specialist will determine where the creatures are coming from by performing an entry point inspection. They will thoroughly check all areas such as the windows, doors, and around plumbing pipes. Your exterminator will also check for other hidden areas pests use to get in, so this process takes some time. Your pest control specialist should also examine your outdoor space to see if any concerns might trigger future infestations, such as damaged gutters or trees too close to the building. Afterward, they’ll check for any moisture in and around your home, as those kinds of areas attract pests. Once they have finished inspecting your home and outdoor area, they will review and report their findings, then discuss the next steps. This is another great opportunity to ask a lot of questions. After that, they’ll begin the pest control treatment around your home or commercial building. Finally, they’ll give you the best recommendations on preventing any future infestations and how often a professional should come back.

Common Reasons for Infestations

You’d be surprised to learn some of the causes of infestations! It’s not always having a filthy environment that can attract bugs and rodents to your home. Infestations happen for various reasons, including the following:

Dirty Environment

One of the leading causes of a pest infestation is living in a dirty and cluttered environment. These areas are the best thing for them because it gives them plenty of spots to nest and habitat. Having piles of boxes, papers, and food all over the place will provide pests with a comfy area to relax and feast.

Excess Moisture

Pests love moisture. They need water to survive, so any excess moisture you have in your home or commercial building will attract them. Creatures like roaches, ants, mosquitos, and pillbugs are known to be attracted to water, so you might notice some of those roaming around a particularly moist area.

Damaged Gutters

You don’t want to wait too long to repair your damaged gutter, as it can lead to a pest infestation! If they’re broken and clogged, they’ll fill with water that can weigh them down, causing your gutters to bend or tear away from the house. Clogged gutters are a breeding ground for pests, and now that there are holes in the wall from them pulling away, they now have easy access to the warmth and food in your house.

Seasonal and Weather Changes

Most people can get rodents and other pests in their homes when the weather begins to get cooler. Most of them don’t enjoy the cold weather, so they try to find warmer environments to stay in during the winter. You’ll want to prevent an infestation before the warmer months come around because, during those times, rodents breed rapidly and seemingly nonstop.

Gaps or Holes in Doors, Windows, and Vents

Some of the easiest ways for pests to get into your home are through entryways you might not even know about. Some gaps or holes in your wall need to be sealed to prevent more from entering. They can even crawl through your plumbing and out of your drains!

There’s Food Left Out

You never want to leave food out in the open, as this can easily attract pests into your home. Insects and rodents have a great sense of smell, so they can catch the scent of food if they aren’t stored in airtight containers. The same applies to pet food. Avoid leaving pet food out all night, and keep your pet’s food supply stored in a sealed container to avoid contamination.

Ways to Prevent Infestations

Fortunately, there are some ways you can prevent an infestation from occurring in your home or building. By following these steps, you won’t have to worry as much about about roaches or rats invading your space. Here’s what you can do to prevent infestations:

  • Keep your home clean
  • Keep all food covered
  • Seal all holes and cracks
  • Keep your landscaping out of contact with your house
  • Keep basements and attics well ventilated and dry
  • Contact a pest control specialist when necessary
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Do You Need Pest Control in West Palm Beach?

There are too many risks and dangers of not addressing a pest infestation. If you suspect an abundance of insects, rodents, and bugs around your home or office, don’t hesitate to give O’Hara Pest Control a call. We have been helping homeowners and business owners in West Palm Beach protect their properties and develop the best solutions to get rid of pesky pests once and for all. Contact us today if you have any questions or to receive a quote.

Andrew is very professional, always following up to ensure customer satisfaction. The company is fair with their pricing and is reliable. I would recommend O'Hara Pest Control to my friends and family. - Timothy S.
I have had pest control services with O'Hara for over a year. I have really enjoyed the professional services they offer, which kept my home insect/bug free. I had services done once a month and they would come out free of charge if a problem developed between services. I would definitely recommend!!! - Arailyus K

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