Best pest control specialists near Megargel, AL

To determine if you have a rat or mouse infestation, look for several key differences. The most obvious is the size of the rodent: rats are significantly larger with thicker bodies, while mice are much smaller and more slender. You can also identify them by their droppings; rat droppings are larger and rounder, about the size of a raisin, while mouse droppings are smaller, like a grain of rice, and often have pointed ends. Other signs include the sounds they make, as rats produce louder scratching and gnawing noises due to their size. Behaviorally, rats tend to be more cautious, whereas mice are more curious and might be seen more often. Additionally, rat nests are typically larger than those of mice. If you are unable to see the pest or find clear evidence, a professional inspection can provide a definitive identification.

Carpenter ants don’t eat wood. It’s a common misconception because many kinds of termites eat wood as well as live inside it. Carpenter ants, however, are omnivores and only chew into wood to create pathways and nests, discarding the chewed wood as frass which is a major indicator of a carpenter ant problem. They prefer to eat smaller insects, sweet things like spilled honey, and sources of protein like pet food.

Silverfish can infest a bed, but it’s not likely unless you have a major infestation. Silverfish may be attracted to the fabric of the bed and the dark corners of the mattress, so you should check your bed thoroughly if you are seeing silverfish throughout the house. Seeing them in bed is a bad sign, because it means they are eating your cotton or silk sheets while they’re there.

In some cases, a clean house can have roaches, especially if you have excess moisture somewhere. You may want to check for leaky pipes or look underneath sinks to make sure water isn’t dripping near a hidden area that is inviting the cockroaches in. Roaches can also take up residence in clean homes with not-protected food sources, like open bags of food in a kitchen cupboard.