Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve lived there for years, it’s unsettling to think you might not be alone. Critters like mice, squirrels, and raccoons all have a propensity to find or create weak spots and build themselves a nest inside your home. If you don’t know what to look for, you could face extensive damage and expensive repairs. As soon as you notice one or more of these signs, call a wildlife control professional to assess and handle the situation.

Signs You Need to Call Wildlife Control

1. Scurrying or Scratching Noises

The nest location and noise levels in your home can determine whether you hear any movement. Many pests, like mice and raccoons, are more active at night, so you may hear them scurrying in your attic while you’re trying to sleep. Depending on the animal, you may also hear jumping and gnawing sounds.

2. Food Is Missing

If you left food out overnight and can’t find it come morning, there’s a chance your dog got to it, but more than likely, it was an unwelcome guest. In addition to missing food, you may find cereal boxes and other food containers have been chewed on. Because pests like mice can create numerous health hazards, it’s important to call wildlife control promptly to avoid food contamination. 

3. Animal Droppings

Droppings from squirrels, mice, and even raccoons are incredibly small, so they’re easy to miss. If you notice an increase in black or brown spots on your floors along the baseboards or in your basement, they’re probably animal feces. Because wild animals carry bacteria and diseases, this is a serious health hazard for your family. A wildlife control professional will clean out all traces of the pest so there’s no risk.

4. Interior or Exterior Damage

When left to their own devices, those unwelcome houseguests wreak havoc on your home’s structure. In addition to gnawing on wood and even chewing through electrical wiring, their feces can damage wood floors and other structural elements of your home. Plus, they may cause damage in your home’s siding, roof, and soffit as they make their way inside.

5. Foul Smells

Eventually, all that animal activity and droppings will culminate in some foul odors. Smells of feces and urine may become overwhelming, especially when there’s a family of animals. Wildlife control will remove the animals from your home and assist in eliminating those foul odors.

If you’ve noticed any of the above signs, contact a wildlife control professional. The sooner you address the problem, the less damage you’ll see. The experienced technicians at Southeast Termite & Pest Control in Knoxville will come to your East Tennessee home at the first sign of trouble to keep your family and home safe. With nearly 50 years of experience, they specialize in controlling bed bugs, termites, and critters. Call (865) 925-3700 to schedule an appointment and visit them online for more information.