7 Signs You Need to Hire Pest Control Services Now (2026)

Updated October 2026. Seven signs it’s time to call a pest control company, how to spot termites, how to hire well, and what a wood-destroying organism report means in a Florida home sale. Sources were read on October 28, 2026.

It’s time to call a pest control pro when you see droppings, live bugs in daylight, bites after sleeping, mud tubes on the foundation, piles of wood “sawdust” or discarded wings. Termites alone cause more than $6.8 billion in property damage a year, costs homeowners insurance doesn’t cover, the National Pest Management Association says (read October 2026). Early treatment costs less than repairs.

Jump to: 🏠 7 signs · ⏱️ Termite signs · 🪜 DIY first steps · 🤝 Hiring a pro · 📍 Buying and selling · ❓ FAQ

Most people find out they have pests when one runs across the kitchen floor at 11 p.m. By then the problem is usually bigger than one bug. Here are the signs we’d act on, roughly in order of urgency, and what to do before and after you call.

What are the 7 signs you need pest control?

1. A sudden jump in bugs. Roaches breed fast. If you see them in the open during the day, there are likely many more hiding. A licensed company such as Integrum Services in the UK, or a local firm near you, can find where they’re nesting and treat the source rather than the ones you see.

2. Bites when you wake up. Small itchy bites in a line, with no memory of waking at night, can point to bed bugs. They hide in mattress seams, couches and carpets, and spread in luggage. Bed bugs are hard to clear without a pro. Landlords should read How to Deal with Bed Bugs at Your Rental Property.

3. Damaged wood or floors. Floors that sag, wood that sounds hollow when you knock on it, or baseboards that crumble are warning signs. Termites eat wood from the inside out, so the surface can look fine while the inside is gone.

4. Droppings and grease marks. Mouse and rat droppings near food or along walls, plus dark rub marks where rodents run, mean they live there. Rodents chew wiring, which can be a fire hazard, and they can carry fleas.

5. Food left out, and bugs that found it. Ants and roaches go where the food is. Dishes left overnight, open cereal boxes and pet bowls are all an invitation. Watch your food storage area too: Victoria’s Better Health Channel advises storing food in covered containers and keeping the fridge at 5 °C or below. If pests keep coming back after you clean up, call a pro.

6. Strange smells or sounds. A musty odor in a closet, scratching in the walls at night, or a stale, oily smell in cabinets can all signal a colony you can’t see.

7. Nests, wings or tunnels outside. Mud tubes on the foundation, piles of small wings on a windowsill, or wasp nests under the eaves. These are the signs most people miss, and they’re covered below.

How do you know if you have termites?

There are two main kinds in US homes, and they leave different clues. Subterranean termites, the most common type, live in colonies underground. They build mud tubes to keep moist as they travel between soil and the wood in your house. Today.com’s guide notes their tunnels can run more than 150 feet. Look for pencil-width mud lines on the foundation, in crawl spaces or in the garage.

Drywood termites live inside the wood itself. Their main clue is frass, powdery droppings that pile up below a board like coarse sand. Swarmers are the other clue. In spring, winged termites fly out to start new colonies and are often mistaken for flying ants. Discarded wings on a windowsill are a strong sign.

Why rush? NPMA says termites cause more than $6.8 billion in property damage each year, and those costs aren’t covered by homeowners insurance. A treatment plan costs far less than replacing joists or a sill plate.

What can you do before the pest control company arrives?

Cut off food, water and shelter. Wipe counters every night, put food in sealed containers and take the trash out. Fix dripping pipes and run a dehumidifier in damp rooms. Keep firewood, mulch and wood debris away from the foundation, and trim shrubs off the siding. Seal gaps around pipes and doors with caulk or steel wool.

For more do-it-yourself steps, read Important Steps To Take If You Think You Have Bugs In Your Home and what you can do about a pest infestation. Bigger visitors like raccoons or squirrels are a different job; see getting unwanted animals off your property.

How do you choose a pest control company?

Check the license first. Most states license pest control operators. In Florida, the rules are in Chapter 482 of the Florida Statutes, and you can check a company’s license with the state agriculture department. Ask what pest they think it is and why, what product they’ll use, how many visits the price includes and whether there’s a warranty or retreat policy. Get it in writing.

Be careful with one-time “special” offers from door-to-door sellers. A good company inspects first and quotes second. For termites, ask whether the plan is a bait system, a liquid barrier or fumigation, and whether it includes yearly inspections. Fumigation, or tenting, is usually for drywood termites spread through a structure.

What do pests mean when you buy or sell a home?

For buyers, a pest inspection is cheap insurance. Our guide on the importance of a pest inspection before buying a house explains what it covers. In Florida, when a licensed company does a wood-destroying organism (WDO) inspection for a real estate deal and charges a fee or you ask for a written report, the report must be on the state’s form. It lists visible damage, evidence of past treatment, areas not inspected and why. The company must keep a copy for at least 3 years (Fla. Stat. §482.226).

For sellers, past treatment isn’t a deal-breaker, but hiding it can be. Gather the treatment contract, the warranty and any repair invoices. Disclose what you know. A transferable termite bond is a plus to buyers. Gather these with the rest of your documents needed to sell your home.

At closing, the WDO report often goes to the lender and the title company. In Florida and Texas, Beycome Title handles closings (Florida from $99 prepaid at checkout, Texas $299 per side), adding Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana starting November 2, 2026. To list, Beycome puts homes on the MLS in 17 states and DC: Basic $99 or Enhanced $399, $0 at closing. Concierge, with experts for full support while you stay in control, is $999 until November 2, 2026 (list price $1,399); from November 2, 2026, Concierge is $1,399 and Basic is $129 in California and Illinois.

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Pest control questions