Doing your own inspection at home can seem quite daunting. After all, you are not a pest professional. But the truth is, it doesn't take a professional to perform this type of investigative work. Knowing exactly which areas to observe can aid in keeping pests out from the start!
Inspection Tips, Indoors and Out
Use a flashlight and a mirror to inspect inside your home. Remember that pests indoors will hide in dark places and tight crevices. Attics, basements, crawl spaces, along baseboards, inside cupboards & pantries are all places that pests find attractive. If you suspect your problem is bed bugs, thoroughly inspect your mattress and bedding first. Start by looking at the bedsheets for any small rust-like spots. Move on to the mattress, using your fingers to pull at the seams. Bed bugs love to hide along these seams, making them nearly impossible to spot.
Wear a good pair of work gloves when inspecting the exterior of your home. Using a ladder, check for any rips in your soffits, damaged eavestroughs and shingles. Remember, eavestroughs are like a freeway for pests - these should be inspected and cleaned at least twice a year - typically in the Spring and Fall.
Roofs can be a main entry point for animals like raccoons and squirrels. They are smart enough to spot any weaknesses in damaged shingles or the corners of soffits. Raccoons have strong claws which they use to their advantage to create further damage and eventually access to the inside of your home. They work hard to find warmth so it's imperative that you inspect the outside of your home thoroughly at least once or twice every season to ensure there is no activity or damage.
Where to Look:
- Observe for signs of active infestation, inside and out. Remember that every infestation will leave signs. Whether it be evidence of nesting, droppings, strange smells and sounds, dead bugs, gnaw marks and greasy marks along walls, where rodents tend to run.
- Moisture and/or leaky pipes within your home should be dealt with straight away. Leaky faucets or sinks in your washroom or kitchen can attract cockroaches, flies and ants. Moisture within the home can also lead to larger problems like mold, which can get out of hand quickly and should be dealt with immediately.
- Inspect your drains (sinks and showers). Decomposing organic matter found inside your drains are a perfect spot for Drain Flies to lay their eggs. Using Invade Hot Spot+ once every few weeks will help to clean this matter, therefore keeping it free of these pesky little flies.
- Keep an eye out for household moths. You may find mysterious holes in your clothing or bedding. Moths can also be found in your cupboards, pantry or anywhere their favourite food (grains) are stored.
- Search for any gaps around outside pipes or cables, outside vents, holes or tears in window screens and damage to weather stripping found on doors.
- Look for any brush or tree branches that may hang close to your home. Wildlife such as raccoons and squirrels use these branches as freeways to reach your roof, and then ultimately your attic!
- Inspect eavestroughs that could be obstructed by old leaves, twigs and other decaying organic matter. Stinging insects such as wasps and hornets are the #1 most common gutter invader. Birds, squirrels, and rodents will all find messy eavestroughs attractive places to build their nests as the material they would normally use is readily available.
- Wood piles provide the perfect refuge for rodents. If you suspect you have rats or mice living in your wood pile, it may be time to store your wood differently. Be sure to use gloves before moving any of the wood. Startling a rat could end in a nasty bite. Consider moving your woodpile to a shed or garage. Always wash your hands after handling anything that you suspect has been infested by rats or mice.
- Many people love to feed wild birds. If you have a bird feeder - chances are, you have had some rodents feast off the seed that falls to the ground at some point. Keep an eye out. If you suspect you have rodents going after your seed, switch to a better bird feeder with a cone baffle or consider removing it completely.
- Inspect your outside compost bins. If possible, position them so that they get direct sunlight and ensure that it is not placed up against a fence or hedge, which allows easy access for rats.
- Look for and remove standing water which is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Many outdoor spaces include small water features such as pools and ponds which are very attractive to pests as they are a source for drinking water. If you notice animal droppings, chances are, you've got visitors.
- Maintaining your lawn can reduce any possible tick populations.
Also Read:
How to Choose the Best Insecticide in Canada for My Bug Problem
