7 signs pests are hiding in your home
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Aug 2, 2023
Last updated Aug 2, 2023
Table of Contents
- Damaged wood
- Little black pellets in your home
- Strange noises coming from walls or ceilings
- Wet dog smells, mustiness and other bad odors
- Dark patches or stains on the walls or ceiling
- Many spider webs
- Rub marks and grease trails
- Specific signs to look for when you suspect pests
- Find top-rated pest control services near you
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Dealing with a pest problem in your home is a hassle (and can be pretty gross). It can also get pricey — especially if the pests damage your home and belongings. That’s why it’s important to recognize the early telltale signs that indicate you might have a serious problem on your hands.
We’ll walk through some of the most common signs that there may be pests — cockroaches, ants, rodents, and more — lurking somewhere in your home. In some cases, you may want to contact a pest control company to exterminate or remove them.
Damaged wood
Damaged wood in and around your home can be a sign of termites. A colony can cause serious structural damage.
Termites can chew through wood in walls, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, window sills, decks, and more. You may notice:
- Piles of wood shavings or sawdust
- Small holes in wood
- Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it
- Wood that feels thin and is easy to puncture
- Wood with suspicious mud or dirt on it, which could be termite mud tubes
- Painted wood surfaces that look blistered
According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause $5 billion in annual property damage in the U.S. Fumigating your home can be expensive and inconvenient, so address a termite issue right away.
Did you know? Carpenter bees can also damage wood by creating smooth holes in surfaces. Ask your pro to inspect the damage to help identify the pest.
Little black pellets in your home
Do you see tiny granules that look like black grains of rice in your kitchen, garage, or attic? These are most likely droppings left by rodents. You may find them near food sources, like cabinets and pantries.
Wear protective clothing, such as gloves and a face mask, when cleaning up droppings. If you can’t find, catch, and remove the rodents on your own, contact a pro. You may want to start there, since rodents can carry diseases and pros are better equipped to remove them safely.
Tip: You may notice other droppings in your home that weren’t left by rodents. For example, droppings that resemble ground coffee or black pepper are often a sign of cockroaches.
Strange noises coming from walls or ceilings
Rodents, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and even insects can make strange noises inside walls or ceilings. For example, you may hear scratching sounds at night. That could be a tree branch rubbing against your home’s exterior or roof — or it could be a mouse scurrying around.
If you have protective gear and feel comfortable doing so, you can search for the source of the noise. Or hire a pest control service that specializes in animal or rodent removal to inspect your home.
Once the issue has been resolved, consider sealing any potential entry points around your doors and windows. Make sure there aren’t any gaps or openings in your roof, either.
Tip: If your dog keeps barking while staring at a wall or ceiling, it may be reacting to pests hiding inside.
Wet dog smells, mustiness and other bad odors
Unpleasant odors in your home could also be a sign of pests. For example:
- Wet dog odors could be a sign of rats, raccoons, or squirrels.
- Musty smells might come from termites or cockroaches.
- A coriander odor is often associated with bed bugs.
- Rotten coconut smells could be due to odorous house ants that were crushed.
Investigate further to determine what kind of pest may be causing the odor. Look for signs of insect activity or droppings that can help narrow down the culprit.
Dark patches or stains on the walls or ceiling
Dark patches on your walls could be a sign of a bee infestation — specifically, honey bees. Their honey could cause a sticky, dark stain to appear on your ceiling or walls. You might also hear buzzing sounds or see an alarming number of bees flying around.
Do not attempt to remove the bees or hive yourself. It’s a dangerous task that should be left to the bee removal pros.
Many spider webs
Of course, many spider webs obviously mean you have spiders inside your home. But it could also be a sign that more insects — flies, ticks, mosquitos, and others — are present.
If you notice more cobwebs than usual, monitor the area closely to see whether you also notice other insects. Decide if you want to try DIY remedies or hire an exterminator.
Rub marks and grease trails
Grease trails, or rub marks, are common signs of rodents in your home. As mice and rats travel through your home, they may leave oil from their fur or dirt tracks along flooring, baseboards, and walls.
Specific signs to look for when you suspect pests
If you believe you have a pest problem, you can try to identify what type of insect or rodent has settled in your home. Use the table below to help you figure out what kind of pest is present:
| If you notice… | You might have… |
|---|---|
| -Piles of wood shavings or sawdust -Damage to wood surfaces and structures -Discarded wings from swarming termites -Tiny mud tubes on exterior walls or along the foundation | Termites |
| -Droppings that look like coffee grounds or black pepper flakes -Dark smears (fecal stains) in room corners, on doors, and on walls -Musty odor from cracks and crevices | Cockroaches |
| -Blood stains on sheets and mattresses -Mysterious bites on your arms and legs -Dark spots of bed bug excrement on bedding -Tiny pale white eggshells | Bed bugs |
| -Small holes on wood surfaces -Sawdust or wood shavings | Carpenter ants |
| Rotten coconut smell | Odorous house ants |
| -Constant buzzing noises -Larvae crawling around | Flies/flying insects |
| -Scratching noises within walls and ceiling, especially at night -Pellet, granule-like black droppings near food sources -Grease trails and rub marks on walls, baseboards, and floors -Chewed-up wires and cords -Gnaw marks on furniture and itemsMusty or urine smells | Rodents |
| -Buzzing sounds -Unusual bee sightings close to or inside your home -Dark patches or stains on your walls caused by honey | Bees, wasps or hornets |
Find top-rated pest control services near you
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The sooner you remove pests from your home, the better.
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