8 Signs That Bugs Have Moved Into Your House

We all tend to think that our houses are completely bug-free, but this is probably not the case. A study found that over 100 kinds of different bugs live in an average home. No need to worry though, the majority of those are harmless and so small that we have no chance of finding out that they are even there. On the other hand, the insects that bring destruction or carry disease might also be hard to spot.

We at Bright Side want to help you make sure that no harmful bugs have made themselves comfortable in your house, so here are some signs to look out for.

1. You get random bites.

Even though having a few bites is pretty normal during the summertime (especially if you spend a lot of time outside), you should be concerned if you get them at other times, like for example if you wake up with bites. It might be a sign that your house is infested by bed bugs. Deep-clean, vacuum everything in your bedroom and throw away clutter to solve this problem.

2. You smell bad odors.

One of the telltale signs of bug infestation is the smell. It appears once there are a lot of insects. In the places where cockroaches live there is an oily and musky smell. They also leave reddish-brown streaks behind. Home remedies against these insects include using baking soda, boric acid, peppermint, or lemongrass essential oil.

3. Strange noises

You might hear strange noises coming from the walls or floors, especially at night (yes, just as if your house was haunted). If you’re sure it’s not a ghost though it might be termites: they make tapping sounds. Another sign of termite infestation is the hollow sound that happens when you knock on wooden surfaces. Act immediately if you have a termite problem: they are very destructive and might make your house unsafe.

4. Peeling paint

This is another sign of termite infestation. These insects live just below the surface of wood, which is why the paint doesn’t have anything to hold onto, so the thin coat of paint starts peeling or bubbling. In addition, termites need moisture, and this is another reason for the damage on painted wood. There are many ways of getting rid of these insects, but it’s better to leave it to the pros.

5. You notice that fabric and plants get damaged.

If you find holes in your clothes, you might have a moth problem. These insects live in closets, as natural fibers (wool, silk, etc.) are their food source. To get rid of them, wash all of your clothes, then vacuum the house well, especially the rugs. Carpet beetle infestations have similar signs with bare spots in fur and wool products. Steam cleaning and vacuuming paired with using vinegar should help.

6. Problems with plants

When it comes to plants, you should first understand what’s damaging them: there are lots of insects that can harm them. The way to fight these bugs can vary depending on their type, from using chemical insecticides to bringing ladybugs into your house.

7. You see a lot of ladybugs and spiders in your house.

Speaking of ladybugs, if you didn’t invite them yourself, it might be a subtle sign that your house is infested. The same goes for spiders. They are predators, so seeing them inside means there’s plenty of food for them (they eat mites, whiteflies, and scale insects). If you don’t see the bugs themselves, the predators are keeping the situation under control for now, but this is probably not going to last.

8. You see yellow stains on paper.

This might be the sign of a silverfish infestation. These small insects feed on the sugar and starch of paper, so you see the yellow stains left behind by them in books, documents, wallpaper, and so on. Apart from chemical solutions, you can also try out natural repellents like cedar shavings, cedar oil, and water, as well as cinnamon.

Has your house ever been infested? What other signs do you know about?