You probably wouldn’t be thrilled to run into a swarm of wasps or mice in the great outdoors, so finding them in your HOME, where you LIVE, is the stuff of nightmares.
We feel the same way, and we’ve seen Stranger Things!
If you have heard unusual noises around your home recently, here are our thoughts to help you figure out what could be living in your walls and how to get rid of them — fast.
How to Tell What Animal (Or Pest) Is In Your Wall
We have found four main categories to describe the type of pests that could be taking up residence in the crevices of your home. Here are some of the signs of each.
Rodents (& Other Mammals)
We’re starting with rodents because this is probably the ickiest of pest problems. Some of the animals that could be in your walls include rats, mice, squirrels, and chipmunks. Though not technically rodents, bats are also a frequent home pest problem.
Fun fact: we once rescued a pet hamster that had been missing for several weeks. It had been living in the walls the whole time.
If one of these pests currently lives in your walls, you will likely hear squeaking, screeching, or other chattering-like noises. You may also hear the occasional scratching.
Rats, mice, and bats are nocturnal. If you are hearing noises primarily at night, one of these three animals is likely the culprit.
When you hear screeching or scratching, bang on the wall in the area closest to the noise. If the noise suddenly stops — bad news. You probably have a mice or rat problem.
Think this may be you? We can help you get rid of mice and rats! Call us ASAP at 866.WAYNES1 or contact us here to get rid of your pest problem.
Termites
Termites probably don’t sound as gross as a rat but trust us; these pests are a costly problem.
You won’t hear the termites coming; before you know it, they’ll have eaten you out of house and home. Termites cause billions of dollars worth of home damage to residents across the US each year. Repairing termite damage can cost several thousands of dollars to fix.
So, how do you know if you have termites living in your walls? Here are some signs:
- Damaged wood
- Hollow sounding wood
- Small piles of termite excrement (which will look like sawdust)
- Termite wings that have been shed and left behind
- The presence of termite tunnels or mud tubes
Want an expert’s opinion? We know a lot about identifying and getting rid of termites.
Roaches
The worst part about having roaches living in your walls is that they are small and quiet. As in, you may have an infestation of roaches and not even know it. However, some common signs include:
- Seeing roaches crawl in and out of cracks near walls and baseboards
- Cockroach stains on walls
- Faint sounds of scratching or scuttling from inside your walls
Gross, right? The best way to identify if you have an inner-wall roach problem is to look for these signs and call a pest professional as soon as you see any evidence.
Other Winged Pests
The last group we just affectionately call “other pests.” Most of the time, they are flying pests or fall invaders looking for a place to hide during the colder months.
We’ve seen Asian lady beetles, stink bugs, and boxelder bugs, just to name a few. These are the least problematic of all the potential wall pests, but you probably still don’t want to share your space with them.
You may see strange stains on your wall, or if your allergies flare up unexpectedly, that could indicate Asian lady beetles nearby.
How to Get Rid of Pests In The Walls
We love to share our quick-fix, DIY pest control tips whenever possible because the faster these critters are gone, the better. But sometimes, you just need a little help.
If you don’t want to go wriggling into your walls just to come face to face with a wasps nest or unusually large rat — give us a call. We can help you eliminate your current pest problem with our SmartPest solution that constantly monitors and instantly reacts to prevent costly infestations in a child-safe and environmentally-friendly way.
We can also set you up with a customized pest control plan to keep your home pest and critter free year-round! Contact us today to learn more.
