There are times when, despite your best efforts, you just can’t get ahead of your pest problem. At that point it is best to go ahead and call a professional. There are many advantages to having a pest exterminators manage your pest problem for you. In this two part post we’ll talk about some of the more common household pests, what an infestation or problem with that pest looks like, and what can happen if you try to take matters into your own hands.

Ants

When you see a line of ants trailing across your kitchen counter your first instinct may be to just kill them and be done with it. Well, it isn’t that simple. First, the reason they trail is because they are, in fact, leaving a trail for others to follow. As an ant travels it releases pheromones which act as great big billboards for other ants, pointing them toward a food source. Disrupting the trail may work for a while, but after a bit they will just find the trail again and continue their mission.

Using DIY pesticides can often have an adverse effect. Ants often have an interesting response to the home pesticides that you purchase in stores. It is a phenomenon called “budding.” When the ants detect the pesticide they take defensive measures against the attack. The colony produces several queens and those queens go out and create their own colonies, therefore only multiplying the ant problem in your yard.

The natural (and totally understandable) human response is to treat these new colonies by spraying as well – which only causes more budding. In short, it makes the problem worse – much worse. If you try it once and it seems to get worse, it is best to call a professional.

Roaches

If you see German cockroaches in your home, especially during the day or you see them out in the open – that indicates an infestation. One German cockroach out in the open usually means there are many more in hiding. Other signs to look for are feces (tiny black granules) in drawers, cabinets, or on walls (usually behind pictures) and egg sacs. If you see these signs it is definitely time to call a professional.

It should be noted though that German cockroaches and Asian cockroaches look very similar but they are different and have a different impact on the environment. Unlike German cockroaches, Asian cockroaches are typically outside pests that happen to get inside and are not associated with disease like their German cousins. That is when it is time to call an exterminator.

Mice and Rats

If you see or hear one mouse the chances are excellent that there are many more you don’t see. Mice and rats are extremely prolific, multiplying at incredible rates. Just because you only see one does not mean that there is only one in your home. In fact, the opposite is almost always true. They are also very shy and don’t like to be seen so it you are seeing them that is a problem.

Something else to consider: One mouse releases 1,000 droplets of urine a day. They use that as a trail to food and nesting. Others sometimes follow this trail as well. This means that if you see a mouse in your cabinet or see evidence of one around your food he probably has friends. It also means that the mouse has released urine droplets in that cabinet and likely on your food (even if it is in packaging). A mouse or rat situation is incredible unsanitary.

In part 2 we will talk about other household pests including spiders, scorpions, and termites.

What’s your worst infestation nightmare story? Tell us about it in the comments below!