You have a lovely home. However, you can’t call it friendly if you have pests around the house and in the garden as well. Everyone deserves a pest-free home. You must know the signs you need pest control.
Did you know that the garden in your backyard can attract as many types of insects?
If you are worried about pest control in Jackson MS, think of the rats and mice in your home and garden that can multiply faster than you can count. The common rats found in Jackson can range from Norway Rats and Roofway Rats.
So, how do you find out that you need pest control for your home in Jackson MS?
Signs You Need Pest Control| Rats, Bugs, Worm Catch ‘Em All!
Pests can be of various kinds. When you’re living in an area such as Jackson, MS, rats are known to infest more often. But it may be that you have other visitors too.
Here are some tell-tale signs you need pest control that covers more than rats –
- A strong smell is a strong sign of pest Infestation. Apart from rodents, cockroaches can also leave your house smelling weird. Usually, if there’s a musky smell, it’s a visit from Ratatouille’s relatives and if it smells musty, it’s cockroaches.
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, and the structure of your home can indicate a pest infestation. If you see marks on your furniture, it’s the perfect time to contact pest control.
- Noises such as squeaking, and scratching from inside the wall (that also sounds like a horror movie plot) indicate their presence.
- The hollow wood sound when you tap it can indicate pest Infestation too. If wood sounds hollow and looks papery on tapping, termites have made their way in!
- Droppings are the easiest to spot but they are usually well hidden to escape your notice. If, you fortunately spot it, ta-da – you have unwelcomed visitors!
These were the primary and easiest signs to detect pest infestation. Now, after you’re sure there are pests in your home, you have a choice to make. You can either DIY the task at hand or call professional help. Knowing how we are, we always go for the DIY option first. And understandably so, because as a corporate or business associate, it feels like we’re in permanent inflation.
Let’s compare which route is better – DIY or professional pest control.
DIY or Professional Pest Control – Which One to Pick?
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Cost effective solution that includes the use of basic household products such as DIY repellants or dollar-store sprays, traps and repellants. Immediate action against pests as you can address the problem as soon as you spot it. You don’t need to wait for scheduled appointment time. You control how much chemical is used. From the type of pesticide to opting for natural solutions. The choice is yours. Great solution for non-recurring and small pests such as ants or flies. | Expert knowledge helps accurately identify the pest, assess severity of Infestation. This aids determination of treatment plan. Solution lasts long as they use potent treatment that are great for terminating the entire problem. It also helps prevent future Infestation. Licensed professionals who know what they’re doing. These professionals are trained to use chemicals efficiently and safely. Unlike DIY-ers. Handles major Infestation efficiently. If you’re dealing with recurring problem of bed bugs, termites, rat or other rodent and cockroaches, they’re the answer. They have the permanent solution for pest problems. |
| Cons | Effectiveness is not profound. It may not always treat the problem at the root. Especially true for complex and larger Infestations.Improper use of chemicals can be ineffective as well as dangerous for you and your family. Be careful of the risk of misuse. It is a time-consuming process that may require you to spend considerable time on the solution. You’ll be researching, applying, monitoring and waiting for results. | Costs a lot and is usually more expensive than DIY methods. Unless you consider the benefit to cost ratio. The cost is mainly high when opting for ongoing maintenance. You may have to wait for an appointment which can be inconvenient if the pest problem is urgent Uses chemicals predominantly that can be unpleasant for most people. However, there are companies that offer alternative treatments with mild chemicals, but it costs more. |
While you decide which one is the best, it’s best to weigh the effectiveness of each option. When you’re tired of not seeing any results from your hacks, it is better to opt for professional pest control as they recognize the signs you need pest control immediately.
When you’re tired of seeing the pests around your house frequently despite all the best hacks, you know it’s time. Of course, the choice depends on the severity of the problem and the size of the infestation.
One way to make the choice is by assessing the problem. If it’s a small issue, DIY hacks may help – for instance, friends, and ants. But persistent and usually larger problems require need you to choose professional services. For instance, rodents, cockroaches, termites, bed bugs, etc.
Tell-Tale Signs of Rat Infestation:
Have you been sighting rats too often in your home? You may be confused whether it is rat poop or squirrel poop; whatever it is, you need to identify it and get rid of the pest that is messing up your garden and home. There are ways to find out. Rat droppings are unmistakable as they are shiny black and measure about ½ to ¾ inch long. Compare this with mice droppings, and there’s a marked difference. Mice droppings are smaller and smoother and have pointed ends.
Rats and Mice:
Have you noticed any chew signs? Teeth marks are a great way to identify a pest. Rat teeth marks are 1/8 inch in length. The teeth marks of mice are smaller and appear more like scratches, rather than the gnawing marks of a rat.
Typical Rodent Signs:
Rats and mice are known to leave tell-tale signs that are easy to identify if you know what to look for. Before you call in someone from pest control in Jackson MS, be sure of what type of pest you have to deal with.
Is your Dog Disturbed?
Several households in Jackson have dog pets. Is your dog acting strange and looking disturbed off and on? Such behaviour can be because they smell rodents around the house. The problem is they can’t get to them as they hide deep in their burrows. Does your dog go to a particular spot near the fence or anywhere in particular? Your dog could be doing this more during the night because that’s when the rats and mice start getting active.
However, your dog can only smell the furry pests but can’t do much about them. Moreover, any contact with rodents can infect your dog.
Tell-tale tracks in dusty areas:
Rats prefer warm and dark areas of your home and the subtropical weather in Jackson makes it suitable for rats to survive.
Have you noticed any scratchy marks in dusty areas in the house or garden? Those are the giveaway signs of rodents’ presence. The most likely places to find such marks include areas where food is stored. Close examination will show entry and exit tracks, confirming rodent movement.
Gnawed Woodwork:
Did you know that rats’ teeth won’t stop growing? They gnaw furiously on wood and other objects to stop the growth of teeth; otherwise, the teeth may grow too long and sometimes long enough to kill the rodents. Hence, if you notice gnaw marks on woodwork or drywall 1/8 inch long, you bet there are rats around. Smaller marks indicate the presence of mice.
Check all the woodwork in the house, including door frames, doors, cabinets, and bureaus, for teeth marks before calling in the experts to exterminate them.
Smear marks along baseboards:
Rats and mice always sneak around the house by sticking near the walls and borders to avoid detection. If you find any unexplained greasy smears along the corners of the room, the baseboards, or under the staircase, you can be sure rodents are regular visitors. You can try cleaning up the marks a couple of times and watch the areas, and if they reappear, it is time to take action.
Distinct Odor:
Rats and mice have a distinct odour, just like other animals. If you detect a strange, musky smell that does not go away despite keeping all the doors and windows wide open, it is time to call in the pest control folks.
Rodents build nests in the house or dig burrows in the garden and multiply too rapidly for your liking. The nests may contain fresh litter, which only adds to the bad odour.
Scratching and Squeaking Sounds:
Rats and mice sneak around during the night, and though they are known to move around as noiselessly as possible, they do make slight scratching or squeaking sounds when they move. You can hear distinct scratching or squeaking sounds in the silence of the nightfall in Jackson, and may even catch a glimpse of a vanishing tail if you switch on the lights.
Rodent Control:
Mississippi has 22 kinds of rodents, including mice, rats, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, muskrats, nutria, and beavers. You may attempt rodent control on your own by setting traps or using poison baits. However, total eradication never happens.
You may think you’ve gotten rid of all the rats and mice, but even a couple hanging around will multiply in no time. It is safer to leave it to professionals in pest control in Jackson MS, who will help get rid of the menace permanently.
The Department of Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Jackson Office also have approved operators to remove rodents from your home safely.
Summing it Up:
Every home must have been infested by pests at least on one or two occasions. While traps and pesticides work to an extent, you need pest control professionals if the infestation is high.
Read Also:
