If you suspect you have an infestation in your home but are unsure which type of uninvited guest it is, we have included some common signs to help you identify a pest infestation.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

• Rats fur excretes an oil which can leave brown marks around skirting boards
• Droppings slightly larger in size than a grain of rice
• Rats like to gnaw through wires, wood, basically anything they can get their teeth into
• You may find shredded paper and materials around your home
• Mice continuously urinate, so therefore may leave a strong smell of urine as they travel around your house

Signs of a Bee or Wasp Infestation

Bees and wasps may look alike, they even share some similar characteristics, however, there are some fundamental differences between the two types of insects.

There are 6 ways to tell bees and wasps apart:

• Wasps have a smooth body in comparison to bees which have a fluffy body
• Wasps eat other insects like aphids and small flies
• Bees collect pollen to make into honey to feed the hive
• Bees swarm, but are harmless unless the queen is under attack
• Wasps are typically more aggressive toward the end of the summer as the nest hierarchy breaks down
• When wasps they feel threatened they emit a pheromone to get help from other wasps

Signs of a Flea Infestation

• Flea bites produce small red welt, haphazardly arranged around the ankles and lower body
• Check your pets for small black bugs close to their skin
• Seeing fleas themselves jumping away from the skin

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

• Bed bug bites produce small red marks, usually in rows of bites on the upper body
• If you have a bed bug problem then you may find you have small black marks or black bugs along the seams of your mattress or headboard
• If you have a particularly large colony of bed bugs then you may detect a sickly sweet almond smell
• Bed bugs shed their outer shells and these can be seen on bedding or soft furnishings

Signs of a German & Oriental Cockroach Infestation

Much like wasps and bees, there are many similarities these two species of pest share, however the signs of infestation differ.

The German cockroach is an indoor cockroach and is only found outside of a property in tropical climates. The German cockroach is mainly related to food and its production, and can therefore be found in the damper areas of a home, such as under the kitchen sink.

• A smaller breed of cockroach
• Tan or black in colour
• Has wings but does not fly
• Known to eat other household items if food is short such as soap and toothpaste
• Found in moist areas of a home such as under the kitchen sink

The Oriental cockroach is typically considered an exterior type of cockroach, though it can be found in damp places within a property. Measuring at 3 cm long, female roaches have wings but cannot fly and are often found in sewers and around the beams and rafters in attics.

• A larger breed of cockroach
• Black or dark brown in colour
• Known to eat rotting or decaying organic material
• Can carry pathogens like E-coli
• Found in sewers and attics

All pest control infestations should be treated by a professional engineer, always be sure to use a reputable, fully certified pest control company. We recommend 24 hour* pest control service, TDC Pest Control for all your pest control needs.