If you think you have a rodent problem in your home, you’re far from alone. In fact, an estimated 83% of households have mice allergens in them. 

Mice need to find shelter, especially in the colder months of the year. If your house happens to be the closest and you’re always cooking delicious meals inside, then they might see this as the place to set up camp.

Regardless of the type of rodent, they can cause you lots of problems. Let’s talk about how to determine if you have a rodent problem and what you can do about it.

Signs You Have A Rodent Problem: Droppings

Droppings are the number one tell-all for rodents. Mice or rats, like all animals, leave their droppings behind. They will look like tiny little pellets. Fresh ones will be dark and moist, drying out and lightening over time. This will give you an idea of how long ago they were there.

In a new home, it’s important to check this. They could have been from years ago and the previous owners just never cleaned the spot where you found the droppings. Check any dark, concealed places like under the sink, under the refrigerator, under equipment in the basement, and anywhere else they could be hiding.

Gnawing Marks

Do you leave your butter on the counter? Ever noticed a piece missing from it?

Check wires, food that’s left out, drywall, or anything else that you notice. If you see gnaw marks on the stuff you recently brought into your new home, rather than what was already there, that’s a pretty good indicator that the rodent problem is there.

Watch Your Pets

Dogs, but especially cats, will be very attracted to the scent of these little creatures. If you have pets, watch them. They will likely notice these friends before you will, and even sniff them out. If it’s bad enough that you can smell it, then it’s probably an active infestation.

If your cat is sitting close and staring at a hole in the wall or under the refrigerator for a long period of time, maybe even growling, they may have found a snack!

Scratching Noises

If you’re losing sleep because you’re hearing scratching noises in the night, this is a pretty good sign that you have a rodent problem. We know that can be terrifying in a new home but rest assured, your new house isn’t haunted! Mice and rats both scratch on wood and drywall, and if you’ve heard it, you know it’s definitely audible when there’s no other noise!

Nests

Mice will use any soft material to make a nest for their young. Fabric, paper, plant material, cotton, or whatever they can find. You may find it in an old sleeping bag you have in the basement, or you could find it under a panel in your cabinets.

Finding one doesn’t mean the infestation is currently active unless it is found in equipment that you brought into the new home. If you’re still shopping around for a house, look for all of these signs before you purchase and take it into account. Don’t let it be your only deciding factor, as there are plenty of ways to deal with a rodent problem!

How To Handle A Rodent Problem

If you’re still not 100% certain you have a rodent problem, put some flour or baby powder in the regions where you think they reside. They will leave tracks for you to judge later on. Remember, rats and mice are nocturnal. Before you go to bed, just sprinkling some powder down around the fridge, on the counters, or anywhere else you think is necessary. If you wake up and see tracks, that’s a definite.

Well, in that case, it’s time to solve that problem! While rodents are tiny, they often carry diseases that can be harmful or even lethal to humans. They also pose fire hazards as they are known for chewing through things like wires or gas lines. Here’s what you can do.

Traps

Traps can work if you don’t mind clearing them! If you want to be humane about it, avoid using glue traps. You may not like your furry house guests, but you don’t want them to suffer. Spring traps and traps that allow you to release them elsewhere (alive) are the most humane and often even cheaper!

Rats are even harder to trap than mice, as they are a lot smarter than mice. The traps have to be a lot bigger and more enticing, and they can’t scare them off!

Repellent

Rodent repellent can be effective if you use it in the right places. You can try putting mothballs and rodent control sprays in places you think they reside. However, traps are totally inefficient if you have rodents living in your walls.

Professional Services

Honestly, you can lay down traps all day but mice breed really fast. Often a lot faster than you can clear and reset your traps. While rats are often too smart, many mice are even hesitant to use traps, which eliminates the possibility of catching the more clever ones!

If you want the job done right, you have to call in the experts. If you’re only trapping individual rodents, you’ll never stop the root cause alone. Rodent exterminator services can even close the entryways that rodents use to get into your house in the first place. 

Say Your Goodbyes

Now that you know how to check for and handle a rodent problem, remember that they breed quickly! The sooner you get help, the better.

Keep up to date with our latest pest control news, and find out what to do if your new home has termites!

While bed bugs are generally not dangerous, they’re considered a public health pest. Bed bugs don’t carry diseases, but they can still cause negative effects on your health.

Bed bugs are common pests that feed on human blood and hide in household furniture. Some people can have an allergic reaction to bites from bed bugs. Secondary skin infections may also develop from the bite like impetigo or ecthyma.

The mental health of people living in infested homes can also suffer. Anxiety and insomnia are some of the reported effects.

Spotting the early signs of bed bugs can save you from the worse trouble of an infestation. Read on to know about bed bugs and their five early warning signs.

Identifying Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can resemble other insects. Knowing how to identify bed bugs helps distinguish them from other critters. It allows you to save time, money, and prevent more stress.

Adult bed bugs have a light or reddish-brown color. Depending on the lighting, they can also appear black. They can be hard to see since they move fast.

Bed bugs are small and have flat, oval-shaped bodies. They’re about 4 to 5 mm in diameter.

They have six legs and two antennae. Their segmented bodies have tiny hairs that give them a striped look.

Younger bed bugs or nymphs are translucent and can look white or light brown. After feeding, they turn bright red. It fades to brown before finally becoming black.

Bed bugs feed on blood and they change color as they digest it. If they didn’t feed, they look flat. Otherwise, their backs rise in response to sustenance.

Like all other insects, bed bugs have an exoskeleton as a hard shell. It means they molt, shedding their exoskeletons as they grow.

Fiver Early Signs of Bed Bugs

Now you know what bed bugs look like, it’s time to learn the early signs of their presence. Most don’t realize they have a bed bug infestation until they see the actual bed bugs. Spotting them early is better than getting rid of well-nested bed bugs.

1. Shells and Eggs

Since bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow, they leave their old shells behind. You might find these casings around your bed. Finding bed bug skin is a sure sign that there are bed bugs in your house.

You might also notice bed bug eggs. They’re white and usually come in clusters. 

Bed bug eggs are smaller than the actual insect, meaning you’ll likely fail to notice them without further inspection. However, if you find eggs and bed bug casings, it’s a clear sign of an infestation.

2. Itchiness from their Bites

One of the other sure and early signs of bed bugs is on your skin. When bed bugs bite, you’ll feel some itchiness. Fortunately, bed bug bites don’t carry diseases. However, they’re irritating and inconvenient.

Your exposed body areas are vulnerable to bed bug bites. These will often be your arms, neck, or head. Bed bug bites usually look like small, raised, red spots on the skin.

They might also show up a day or two after the bite. It can also form distinct patterns on your skin, often manifesting as a line. It helps distinguish them from flea or mosquito bites.

Your skin’s reaction also depends on the bed bug’s type. Some cause an extreme reaction while others won’t. It’s also possible to start feeling the bite’s itch a week later.

3. Bloodstains on Your Sheets

There are three reasons why humans attract bed bugs. Our body heat, carbon dioxide from our exhalations, and blood. Since blood is their primary food source, they stuff themselves whenever they feed.

As such, one telltale sign of bed bugs is seeing small red stains on your sheets or pajamas after waking.

Two things can cause these bloodstains. You might roll onto the bed bugs in your sleep and crush them in the process. Otherwise, it’s a residue of their feeding frenzy.

If you wake with these stains on your bed, consider calling for pest control. If you don’t, you’ll suffer from continued harassment from these vermin.

4. Dark, Rust-Colored Spots on Your Mattress or Walls

If you often find dark, rust-colored stains on your mattress, these are likely bed bug excrement. Test if the brown specks are either bed bug droppings or old ink stains. Smear it with water since ink stains won’t spread.

Your mattress isn’t the only place where you might find bed bug droppings. They can also leave stains on walls or under wallpapers. Inspect these places to ensure they’re free from these specks.

Bed bugs usually leave fecal stains as soon as they reach sufficient numbers. Try examining your bed or nearby walls for suspicious stains. If you find them, don’t waste time and call for pest control.

5. A Musty Odor

Another sign of bed bug presence is an unexplained damp and musty odor in your home. You might notice the smell only around your bed area. However, you might also come from other nearby pieces of furniture.

Some people say that the odor is comparable to moldy clothing or a wet dog. It comes from the pheromones they release. Note that in general, the stronger the smell, the larger the infestation likely is.

Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation Now

Bed bugs may not be dangerous, but they’re stressful to live with. Bed bugs feed on our blood, reducing the quality of our sleep. Identifying the early signs of bed bugs can help prevent an infestation.

Observe if there are any casings or eggs in your bed. Dark spots on your mattress and walls as well as a musty odor are suspicious signs. If you wake up with itchy bite marks, consider calling a professional.

Looking for pest control services? Contact us today and we can help you prevent a worse bed bug infestation in your home.

What’s the sound? Does it smell odd in here? 

Knowing the signs of rodent infestation is essential if you want to catch them before they begin to multiply rapidly. Rodents can, unfortunately, cause significant damage to a home, so it’s best to rid your home of them as soon as possible. 

As cold weather settles in, so do the rodents, looking for shelter from the cold. How will you know if you’re dealing with a rodent infestation? What are the signs of rodent infestation?

In the guide below, there are several signs of a rodent problem to keep in mind. Continue reading below to find out more and take your home back before the rodents take over. 

1. Strange Odors

Did you know that rodents leave behind a musky odor? They do! As unpleasing as this might be, there’s one benefit of rodents’ stinky odors: you’ll be able to catch them quicker. 

If you notice any stale odors coming from hidden-away places, then this could be a hiding place for the rodents. As your rodent problem worsens, the odor will worsen as well. Noticing a strange odor that becomes stronger over time might be a sign that it’s time to call in the professionals. 

Once a rodent dies, it also gives off a strong foul odor. Any dead rodents will need to be removed from your home immediately to prevent the spread of disease. If you find a dead rodent and want to remove it yourself, make sure to wear both gloves and a mask. 

2. Small Chew Marks

Rodents love to chew on just about anything. They’ll gnaw on materials around the house such as paper products, food packaging, and wires. They’ll even gnaw on the structure of your home as well. 

Although finding chewed-up belongings is less than ideal, you can use these chew marks to your advantage. Chew marks can give you some insight into how current the infestation is. Older chew marks will be darker while newer chew marks are lighter in color. 

If you have one older chew mark you know about, then try to compare it to a newly found chew mark to determine if one happened more recently than the other. You can also use chew marks to determine if you have mice or rats. Rats will have larger chew marks than mice. 

3. Unusual Pet Behavior

Having pets in the home is beneficial for several reasons. One of those reasons is that your pets might notice some signs of a rodent infestation before you do. Pay close attention to strange behavior from your pets.

That foul odor we discussed earlier will trigger your pets to search for rodents. Your pets may even hear the rodents running in the walls or scratching. When your pets begin having unusual behavior, make a note about what area in the house they seem to be interested in. 

Grab a flashlight and then inspect the area where your pets seem interested. You may find a rodent infestation. 

4. Rodent Tracks and Holes

Sometimes, rodents will leave tracks behind them as they move around. Be on the lookout for small footprints where dust might collect. Don’t hesitate to search up high.

A great way to discover rodent tracks is to take a flashlight and inspect areas where you believe rodents might be running back and forth. With the help of your flashlight, you might uncover footprints, urine stains, and even droppings. If you’re unable to detect signs of rodent tracks but believe there’s an infestation, then one trick to consider is using baby powder. 

Lay a light layer of baby powder down in areas where you believe they might be using as their paths. The baby powder will uncover footprints more easily. 

They’ll also chew holes in your home’s structure to create new entry points.

5. Rodent Droppings

Although you might not want to think about it, if there are rodents in your home, there are rodent droppings in your home. The size and shape of the rodent dropping will depend on the type of rodent it is. Mice will have smaller droppings than rats.

Rats will have droppings of different sizes and shapes depending on the type of rat. If you see rat droppings in your home, then you know there’s a problem. Be sure to clean the droppings using gloves and a mask. 

Fresh droppings will be dark in color and moist. Older droppings will be dried out, grey in color, and will crumble easily. Some common places to find droppings are as follow:

• under sinks
• in the cupboards
• near food packaging
• inside drawers
• in hidden areas

You’ll find the most droppings where the rodents are nesting. 

6. Surface Grease Marks

Rodents fur holds oils that will wipe off onto the walls of your home when they run past them. Be on the lookout for grease marks and streaks on a variety of surfaces in the home. If you find grease marks, then you may be able to follow them to where the rodents are entering your home from.

If you then find nesting materials, such as chewed-up paper products then you may have found their nest or have come close to it. 

Know the Signs of Rodent Infestation and Take Action

When you know the signs of rodent infestation, you can take action quickly before the problem intensifies. Unfortunately, rodents will multiple when not removed from your home and the infestation will worsen. Use the information listed in this guide to determine if your home has a rodent infestation.

When you’re still unsure, or you need the professionals to remove the rodents from your home, be sure to contact AMCO Ranger Termite and Pest Solutions. 

Schedule your free inspection today!

Termites are extremely important to our ecosystem. These tiny critters break down plant matter and release essential nutrients into our soil. However, while termites are great for the environment when it comes to buildings, they can cost billions in structural damage a year. 

This is because colonies of termites also feast on foundations, wood, walls, and plastic pipes, among other things. While you can appreciate their importance from a distance, you don’t want to find these guys anywhere near your home. 

Luckily there are a few ways to tell if you’ve got a termite infestation. Keep reading for the seven signs to look out for to keep termites at bay. 

Termites in the United States

There are tons of termite species, but the most common species in the US, causing a whopping 95% of structural damage, are eastern subterranean termites. This species is prevalent in St. Louis. Subterranean termite colonies can number over 1 million termites. These colonies are also capable of devouring up to 15 pounds of wood in a week! 

Other types of termites in the US include drywood and dampwood termites. The names of these types give some indication as to where they like to live. Subterranean termites will inhabit soil and wood that is in contact with soil. 

Within the colony, termites vary in size and function. Smaller worker termites make up most of the colony. These insects are about the size of a grain of rice and soft-bodied. Soldier termites are slightly longer, with powerful mandibles or pincers. Soldiers are responsible for defending the colony against ants. 

Finally, swarmers are responsible for reproduction. These larger termites have wings and are easy to spot, often drawn to light sources. 

Do I Have a Termite Infestation? 

In order to avoid massive and costly structural damage, it’s important to keep a close eye on your property. However, if you see a swarm of termite-looking pests, don’t panic! It’s difficult to determine the difference between ants and termites as they look fairly similar. Luckily there are a few other signs that are a clear indication of a termite infestation.

1. Termite Swarms

Swarming termites are winged insects in charge of reproducing and forming new termite colonies. Look out for remnants of dead termites indoors and outdoors and live swarms. These swarmers lose their translucent wings fairly quickly once they start flying. This is why piles of wings are a good indication that you may have an infestation.

Pay particular attention to where the termites are coming from. If they’re emerging near the foundations of the building, this could mean trouble. 

However, don’t worry if you see termites far away from building foundations. Remember that termites are integral to the ecosystem as they break down plants and other matter. So if they aren’t close to your home, let them be. 

2. Mud Tunnels

Mud tunnels are long, almost cement-like tube structures that termites build to move from one feeding site to another. These tunnels can run along walls and into foundations or higher up on a structure, depending on the type of termite you’re dealing with.

You can tell if an infestation is active by breaking a small part off of one of the tunnels. If live termites emerge, or you come back after a day and notice that the tunnel has been repaired, that’s a sure sign of infestation. 

3. Pinholes

Similar to shelter tubes, pinholes are tiny holes made by termites to get into the wood. These are usually covered in the same mud-like substance that shelter tubes are made from.

Like mud tunnels, you can also use pinholes to check whether your infestation is active or not. Scrape away the mud covering and wait to see if a termite emerges. You can also take note of the location of the pinholes and determine whether or not the hole is repaired after a day or two. 

4. Visible Termite Damage

In order to see whether or not termites are wreaking havoc in your home, you may have to look a little deeper. If you remove floorboards or look behind walls and see obvious damage connected by shelter tubes, it’s time to act fast! 

While damage will most often begin from the inside of the structure, keep an eye out for any external signs such as sagging in the walls, ceiling or wallpaper, or broken door frames. Wood that has been damaged by termites will be soft and easily breakable.

Once termites are disturbed, they hide pretty quickly, so an infestation may be active even if you don’t actually see one near the damage. 

5. Pellets

Drywood termites are known to push their fecal matter out of tiny holes. These small six-sided pellets accumulate in piles on floors and countertops. If you see piles of tiny, light-colored pellets smaller than coffee grounds, it’s likely that you have a drywood termite infestation, and you need to act fast. 

Get Ahead and Prevent Termites

Even though there are a number of signs, termites aren’t easy to spot. These signs often only become visible when the infestation has been active for some time. This is why it’s important to termite-proof your home from the outset. If you’re in the process of building, a pre-construction treatment is always a good idea to give you extended peace of mind. 

Dealing with Termites: The Bottom Line

Termite infestations are common across the United States and can be easily dealt with once they’ve been discovered. If you suspect that you may have a termite infestation, it’s best to call in a trusted professional for an inspection. If your suspicions are confirmed, a professional pest control service will use the best technology on hand to ensure that the entire colony is eliminated. For more information on termites and other pest control, get in touch today! 

Wasps are annoying, but they can also become quite dangerous. When threatened, wasps release pheromones that call out to other wasps so they can swarm and attack the perceived threat. Unlike bees, which typically die after stinging someone, wasps can sting repeatedly, causing serious harm to any of their victims. For this reason, it is crucial that you locate any wasp nests in your home, and then call a professional pest control service that can remove them for you safely. Below are the top five places you may find wasps in your home, so you can locate and remove the insects as soon as possible.

Under Eaves

One of the most popular places for wasps to create a nest is under the eaves of a home, along with porch ceilings and any other type of overhang. Certain types of wasps will create a nest anywhere that has a sturdy horizontal base to hang from. Under the eaves of a home and other small spaces are ideal because the wasps can create the nest in a corner, which offers more protection around the entire structure. Removing a wasp nest is always difficult, but due to the fact that these nests are at a height, it can make removal especially difficult.

Trees

Certain species of wasps will find greenery such as trees, shrubs, and bushes to build their nests. Typically, these nests look like gray footballs. Wasps prefer these areas because the shrubbery provides them the protection they need around their home. As the greenery starts to branch out and bloom in the middle of summer, the nest becomes even more hidden, making it a great spot for wasps to hide and seek shelter. It is always advised to move around these areas with a large amount of shrubbery very carefully, as these nests are difficult to spot.

Underground

While most people will look up when they are searching for a wasp nest on their property, some people should be looking down. Certain types of wasps, including the yellow jacket, will sometimes burrow underground and build a nest there. Wasps that create nests underground have the potential to be very good for homeowners because they often eat the other insects that can cause harm to the yard, such as flies, caterpillars, and beetle larvae. 

However, even though underground wasps do hold some benefits for homeowners, it is important to identify these nests so you do not step on them. If you do, the wasps will consider it a threat to their home and may swarm and attack the perceived threat.

Barbecues and Grills

When the weather turns warmer, people want to go out and enjoy backyard barbecues once again. Few people expect to be met with a swarm of wasps when they open up the grill for the first time of the season, but it happens more often than people think. Barbecues and grills are full of nooks and crannies, including openings and vents. Wasps will make their way inside the grill and set up their nest and colony because it provides great protection from inclement weather and possible predators, such as spiders. To prevent wasps from making a home of your barbecue or grill, always keep it covered with a tarp, which will make it much more difficult for the wasps to get in.

Inside

When the weather starts to turn cooler in the fall, wasps no longer have any use for their nest and will abandon it. Over the winter, the nest will break down and wasps will not return to it the following year. However, during this time, the queen may look for a place to take shelter and start the process all over again. Sometimes, the queen finds that the inside of a home is the perfect spot to start her new colony.

If a wasp does make its way inside to nest, it will likely build its new home inside of a window, or in the attic. Attics provide shelter and allow the wasps to live in the nest relatively undisturbed. Wasps may create a nest in the interior of a window because it provides them access to light, which allows them to see their prey better, and also provides warmth. After a wasp builds a nest and colony in the home, the situation can become very dangerous, so it is important to call a professional that can remove it.

Our Missouri Pest Control Experts are Here to Help

If you have a wasp problem inside or outside of your home, our St. Charles pest control experts can remove it so you can take control of your space once again. At Amco Ranger, we will locate the source of the problem and know how to remove wasp nests safely and effectively. Call us today at (636) 441-BUGS (2874) to schedule a free inspection.