7 Early Signs of Pest Infestations in Northeast OH

No one wants to come home only to find that creepy-crawler bugs have invaded their sanctuary. 
However, in places with changing seasons like Mentor, OH, bugs in your house and yard can be an issue all year long. 

That’s why it’s imperative you recognize pest infestation signs early, so you can take action with preventive pest control. 

So what is a sign of pest infestation?  Let’s take a look at a few of the top offending pests in the area and some of the top signs you need pest control. 

Signs You Need Pest Control

Before diving into some of the visual and behavioral pest signs, let’s review a few of the most common house bugs and yard pests in Ohio:

• Ants: While they can be spotted within your home at any time of the year, ants tend to be at their worst during springtime when wet ground conditions force them to seek out drier ground indoors.
• Spiders: You may notice more spider activity in late summer or early fall as they are more active during their mating season.
• Centipedes: In the fall, centipedes look for warmer refuges, such as your home, when the temperatures in Northeast OH begin to drop. 
• Fleas: Fleas often become a nuisance when temperatures warm up in March and April, and they are active all summer long, especially if they have a host to feed on indoors (such as you or your pet). If winter temperatures are mild, which sometimes happens in Northeast Ohio, they can be spotted year-round.
• Stink bugs: These pests are around during springtime and summer, but they start to infiltrate homes when temperatures drop in autumn.
• Ticks: These disease-carrying insects harbor in tall grasses and trees and can latch on to humans or animals without you noticing. They are active from April through November, when it’s warmer outside, but they can survive indoors even when temperatures are colder if they have a host.
• Mosquitoes: Most active when summertime temperatures are warm and humid, these pests flock to areas of dense foliage and require standing water to lay their eggs. 

While the behavior of these Ohio house and yard bugs may vary by species, there are a few telltale signs that some type of insect has made your home theirs. 

Let’s take a look. 

Top 7 Signs of Pest Infestation 

1. Visual Sightings

Perhaps the most obvious sign that you have a problem with insects in your Ohio home or yard is if you actually spot them.

Remember, even a small trail of ants can indicate a bigger problem.

Pro Tip: If you see a trail of ants, follow it to find out how they are getting inside your house.

2. Insect Droppings and Debris

Whether it be the exoskeleton of a centipede, the remains of a spider web, small, white flea eggs, or insect excrement that looks like specks of dirt, insects can be messy.

Be sure not to sweep these types of sightings under the rug. 

3. Missing Food

Insects are usually drawn into the home by the promise of food or water. If you notice food disappearing without reason, even if it’s pet food, house bugs may be the culprit. 

4. Structural Damage

Some insects like to bore into structures within the home, so be on the lookout for things like shredded insulation and damaged or weak wood.

5. Wood or Dirt Piles

Insects like ants typically make their nest out of piles of wood shavings or dirt.

6. Unexplained Bites

Insects such as spiders and fleas can leave you and your family with red, itchy bites. If you haven’t spent a lot of time outside recently and still find your arms and legs dotted with irritating bites, it may be a sign you have bugs within your home. 

7. Unusual Noises

During quieter times, such as at night, listen for sounds of scratching or scurrying. 

Top Places to Look for Bugs in Ohio Inside Your Home

1. Kitchens

Kitchens provide two essential needs for insects looking to get inside your home: food and water.

2. Bathrooms

Like kitchens, bathrooms offer bugs a water source, covering one of their most basic needs. 

3. Windows and Doors

Unsealed windows and doors can be one of the easiest access points for bugs to enter your home.

4. Walls and Floors

Pests may choose to nest inside floors and walls, so be on the lookout for structural damage to these areas. Be sure to check along the baseboards of your home as well for signs of infestation.

5. Basements, Attics, and Crawl Spaces

Many insects such as spiders and centipedes prefer dark, quiet spaces where they won’t be disturbed.

6. Debris Piles and Areas of Clutter

Piles of clutter around your home offer more hiding places for insects. Even piles of laundry can be potential hiding spots.

7. House Plants

Because they are attracted to water, some house bugs may seek out refuge in or around your house plants.

8. Nooks and Crannies

Look in the areas around your home that are typically quiet and undisturbed, such as under appliances, in cabinets or cupboards, and underneath sinks. 

Top Places to Check for Pests On The Exterior Of Your Home

It’s also key to check the outside of your house for signs of potential pest infestation, so you can stop the bugs from entering your home. 

1. The Foundation

Patrol the perimeter of your house to check for cracks in the foundation. If you do spot any openings, make sure those are properly sealed. 

2. Landscape Beds

Bugs can often hide in landscape beds, especially if those beds include dense foliage such as trees and shrubs. 

3. Patios and Decks

Be aware of potential insect attractors, such as bright lights, food sources, and, for mosquitoes, areas of standing water, including potted plants, bird paths, and buckets of water.

Pest Prevention Tips 

Once these common Ohio house bugs invade your safe space, it’s a lot trickier to show them the door. And, with so many areas in your home and yard for bugs to hide, it can feel overwhelming to stay ahead of the problem. 

It’s much easier to deal with potential issues proactively. 

Perimeter pest control is one way to do just that. A barricade treatment that’s completely safe for your kids and pets, perimeter pest control keeps bugs outside so you and your family can enjoy the inside without the threat of pesky pests prohibiting you from getting a good night’s sleep. To perform the applications, Turf Pride’s knowledgeable and trained technicians use a backpack sprayer and a wand to spray the exterior of your home.

It’s important to note that perimeter pest control prevents bugs from entering your home, but if they are already present, a perimeter pest control treatment will not remove them from your home.

To get rid of pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, you can invest in a flea and tick control application or mosquito control to ensure you, your pets, and your family stay out of harm’s way. 

Prevent Pests Inside Your Home

In addition to pest control applications, there are several things you can do to keep pests from deciding to move into your home. 

1. Be sure your home is clean and tidy.
2. Vacuum your house regularly.
3. Clean up messes and spills quickly.
4. Seal your windows and doors.
5. Close up cracks in the walls.
6. Minimize the bright lights emanating from your home at night as these can attract bugs into your home.
7. Store food in sealed and airtight containers.
8. Don’t leave out pet food on the floor.
9. Use a dehumidifier to dry out damp areas such as bathrooms within your home. 

Prevent Pests In Your Yard

There are also steps you can take to keep pests from persisting throughout your property.

1. Remove piles of clutter and garbage in your yard.
2. Seal openings in your foundation.
3. Improve drainage so there are no areas of standing water in your yard.
4. Keep your yard generally well maintained.
5. Tip over buckets of standing water.
6. Incorporate something like an agitator in bird baths and other pools of water to create ripples on the surface of the water. This will help prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. 
7. Trim back trees and shrubs that touch the house. 

Contact Turf Pride for Perimeter Pest Control

So, why wait? Squash those thoughts of house and yard bugs crawling through your thoughts and give yourself peace of mind today. 

If you’re ready to seal up your Mentor, Ohio, home with a perimeter pest control treatment and keep the bugs outside where they belong, give us a call or fill out the form to learn more about our pest control options.