Emergency Pest Control: What To Do When Infestation Strikes

A pest infestation can be scary. It can cause anxiety and make you uncomfortable in your home. With time you may discover bite marks on your foodstuff, roaches crawling on walls, or creepy noises in your ceiling. At that point, you have an emergency.

For example, a pair of Norway rat breeds can reproduce up to 16 pups per litter, 17 times annually. So, if you notice one coming out of your house, chances are that there’s more from where it came from.

Fortunately, we have researched and compiled a list of things to do when infestation strikes in this article. Let’s get to it.

1. Contact Emergency Exterminator

By the time you notice a pest infestation in your home, it’s probably too late to control it on your own. At that point, your DIY attempts might yield little or no results in controlling pest activities. In times like these, you need to call a pest control expert. An emergency pest exterminator can offer immediate solutions to your pest problems with lasting results.

However, finding skilled and reputable exterminators is not always easy. So, look out for qualities like experience in controlling various pest species. For example, the best exterminators in Charlotte are skilled in controlling pests like rodents, mosquitoes, roaches, and termites.

Besides experience, ensure they have the proper license to operate in your area. A license shows that they meet quality standards to guarantee your safety while evicting unwanted entities from your dwelling.

2. Assess Severity of Infestation

There are various ways to control pest infestation. However, the ideal method depends on factors like the type of pest in question and the severity of the invasion. For example, spraying pesticides may be enough to see out mosquitoes while setting traps might be vital to capturing mice.

Knowing what you’re dealing with can help you use the ideal method and save on extermination costs. This knowledge can become useful information that enables an exterminator to control the situation more effectively.

3. Secure Food Storage Units

Pests are animals with needs – nutritional needs. That’s why one of the first things they invade whenever they enter your home is your pantry. Attacking your food storage can be a bigger problem than you realize.

Besides leaving you with food shortage, they can contaminate food with fatal diseases. So, secure your food storage area or pantry once you identify a pest’s presence. Put a lid on your food containers and make sure they are airtight.

Look out for bite marks on your foodstuff. If you notice any, throw the food out to prevent disease spreading.

4. Protect Your Documents

If you’re battling pest infestation, you have much to worry about besides your pantry. Pests like rodents are known for eating through walls, papers, and cords. To avoid losing important data, protect your files or documents once you notice an infestation. Keep them in a secure location, such as an air-tight drawer.

5. Block Possible Entry Paths

Pests typically leave traces when they invade a property. These traces include footprints or crumbs on entry paths.

Some entry paths are more obvious than others. You may easily notice obvious entry points like gaps around the door, open windows, or holes in the wall. Meanwhile, other entry paths, like cracks in the wall or floor may be difficult to notice.

Don’t underestimate the size of the opening. Once you discover these gaps, seal them immediately. Call a professional for these tasks to avoid worsening the issue.

6. Deep-Clean Area

Pests thrive in unclean environments. It suits their breeding, feeding, and surviving habits, encouraging them to invade in numbers. In other words, maintaining a clean house or workspace is key to warding off pests.

When tidying up a pest-infested area, your routine cleaning won’t cut it; do some deep cleaning.

Thoroughly clean your property, especially the closet, kitchen, and garage. Use eco-friendly cleaning agents that keep your house smelling fresh and don’t pose any toxic threats. You may call a cleaning service for this task if the mess is too much to handle alone.

7. Declutter Premises

Pests thrive in dark and cluttered spaces. The darkness and temperature of those spots keep them out of sight and make them harder to locate. As a result, these spaces become their breeding ground. That’s why decluttering your space is crucial. It exposes their hideouts and makes them uncomfortable.

So, inspect the most cluttered spaces inside your house and rearrange the area. For example, rearrange your wardrobe and keep your clothes tidy. You should also clear the space under your bed to be visible from the outside.

Lastly, don’t forget to declutter the garage, basement, and outdoor spaces.

8. Regular Surveillance

Removing pests from your dwelling is not a one-time thing. You must practice proper maintenance of your property to discourage them from reentering. Start by conducting regular checks on your home.

Check inside the house and in your yard for physical signs of infestation, such as droppings and strange sounds. Also, pay attention to signs of habitation, like nests and webbings, as these are clear signs of their presence.

More importantly, look out for sightings of pests. Only by maintenance will you be able to identify them early and stop them in their tracks.

Get Expert Pest Control

A pest infestation can cause mental and physical problems for you and your loved ones. Thus, once you notice unwanted creatures in your living space, seal your food storage, block entry paths, and deep-clean your house.

When infestation gets out of control, your DIY endeavors may not be enough to control pests. This is where calling an expert exterminator becomes your last resort. The best exterminators can offer same-day solutions for various pest species without compromising health. Get expert pest control today.