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With so much time being spent at home due to the recent Coronavirus lockdown restrictions from Lubbock, TX to Albany, NY, it’s more likely that you might be spotting signs of some sort of bug infestation around your home. As the warmer weather approaches, it’s just the right time for insects to start invading your home and for eggs to be hatching.
But, if you don’t see any bugs, how do you know what kind of infestation you are dealing with? Maybe you are seeing damage to your wooden surfaces, signs of bugs eating away food packages, or strange droppings around your home. Unless you see an insect, it can be tough to figure out what you have in your home.
Each species of bugs that are common household pests has specific characteristics that can help you tell what may be lurking in your home. If you suspect that you have a problem, it’s always best to call professionals.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can identify what kind of infestation you may have in your home.
Ants
Ants are the #1 household pest across the country. With hundreds of common species, ants come in all shapes and sizes and can be tough to identify. Ants aren’t particularly shy, so if you have an infestation, you will have likely already seen some ants around your home.
From one single ant that you spot on your counter to an organized moving line of ants crawling up your wall, both can equally indicate that you have a problem.
The toughest thing about getting rid of ants in your home is choosing the method of treatment. Most topical or aerosol treatments will only get rid of the live ants and not deal with the nest.
Many species of ants prefer dampened areas, so check around your home and property in places that could house a nest. In the case of carpenter ants, you may be able to hear them working inside your walls or see evidence of wood shavings around your home.
Bed Bugs
Although they haven’t been a big problem in many decades, there seems to be a recent resurgence in all areas of the country. Bed bugs aren’t fussy about where they set up home, so no amount of cleanliness or neatness will keep them away. They can come into any home and set up shop.
You may start to notice small and round, itchy bites on your legs and ankles. Bed bugs live on the blood of humans and animals and prefer to eat at night.
Signs of these nasty little biters may include brown or black specks of excrement the size of a grain of pepper in your bed or on your furniture. You may also be able to detect a light musty odor in your bed or small spots of blood on your sheets where a bed bug has been squashed.
Termites
These nasty insects can eat you right out of your home. The biggest problem with termites is that infestations are generally not noticeable until significant damage is already done to your home’s structure.
There are several signs to look for if you suspect a termite infestation.
Your wood floors may appear to be bubbled or become excessively squeaky when walked on. Other wood surfaces or beams may sound hollow when knocked on. Piles of what looks like wood shavings but are actually termite excretion can be spotted around your home and property. You may spot mud tubes outside your home.
Cockroaches
Seeing a cockroach in your home can be very disturbing. These nasty bugs can spread disease and are generally just dirty. These bugs get busy at night, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to spot one during the day.
The bad news is that if you see one, you likely already have a problem.
Cockroaches prefer dark and damp areas. If you see droppings that look like dirt or pepper specks, you could have an infestation. Also, look for case sheddings, and eggs that are brown and oval or oblong. You may even notice a particular oily and musty smell in your home.
Finding bugs in your home is not unusual, and it’s not the end of the world if you can identify and treat an infestation quickly. Keep these tips in mind to help you determine what kind of bugs are in your home so that you can use the right type of treatment.
Call the professionals to help you to make sure that you deal with the whole problem proactively and safely. Good luck!
Krystle, creator of Home Jobs by MOM, swapped her psychology degree for motherhood adventures. Now in Kentucky with her husband and teenage sons (15 & 19), she balances cooking, DIY projects, and launching her next business venture. Texas-born but Kentucky-living, she’s still sharing her journey as her family grows up.
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