Top 10 Clues You May Have a Vermin Infestation

The easiest way to identify a vermin infestation? An actual sighting of the pest in question.

Sure, sometimes it’s not that easy. But most vermin usually leave a number of telltale clues when they've decided to shack up in a home, yard or garden, and it's a good idea to act fast when you notice them. Besides the inherent nastiness in having the little buggers invade your personal space, there are also health risks to consider -- many pests carry dangerous diseases they can pass along to you and your family.

It’s not easy to know the difference between an infestation that can be controlled with an off-the-shelf bug beater and one that needs the eye of a skilled professional. If you’re unsure, call the exterminator.

Read on to see if you have one of the 10 signs of a pesty infestation...

10. BEETLES: 

About 350,000 species of beetles are alive today on Earth, and they account for around 25 percent of life on the planet. Needless to say, sometimes it seems like they think they own the place. And they're a diverse crowd, so it's a bit difficult to generalize how a harmful infestation of beetles will manifest.

As with most infestations, the theme is destruction.

For example, small holes or trails bored into the wood of your house or the trees in your yard may mean there are beetles lurking right under your nose. Some species burrow into the wood to lay eggs, and then the larvae dig around for a while after they hatch. Others, such as carpet beetles, may launch a full-scale attack on your wardrobe or search out other organic materials around the house. (Read: If you pull out a cotton T-shirt and see a large hole chomped through the middle, you might have a beetle infestation on your hands.) Japanese beetles do battle with plants, and they can wreak havoc on the flowers and leaves in your garden in next to no time.

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