From rodents to termites, learn which pests pose the biggest risk to your home, and how a trusted pest control company can keep them out
Key Takeaways:
- Rats and other rodents are destructive and dangerous household pests that can cause significant damage by chewing through wires and insulation, and spreading bacteria, making early professional rodent control crucial.
- Termites are “silent structural threats” that can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home’s foundation and wood without immediate visible signs, emphasizing the importance of recognizing subtle indicators like mud tubes or hollow-sounding wood.
- Ants, particularly carpenter ants, can cause significant damage to wood structures and contaminate food, highlighting the need for professional ant control that targets entire colonies rather than just surface-level pests.
- Outdoor clutter, such as stacked firewood, unmaintained crawlspaces, leaf piles, clogged gutters, and old outdoor items, actively attracts pests by providing shelter, food, and moisture, making outdoor clean-up a key preventive measure.
- Proactive and continuous pest protection, like OPC’s BARRIER+ program, offers year-round exterior defense against many rodents focusing on preventative treatments around entry points to help stop introductions from turning into infestations.
From scratching in the attic to ants trailing along the baseboards, unwanted pests can make any home feel invaded. While some are just a nuisance, others pose serious risks to your property and health. Understanding what you’re up against – and knowing how to stop it – is essential for every homeowner.
If you’ve been searching for an ant pest control service near me, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common household pests, the signs you might have a problem, and how a reliable pest control company like OPC Pest Services can help.
Rats and Rodents: Not Just a Winter Problem
Rats are more than just unsettling – they’re destructive, dirty, and dangerous. They can chew through insulation, cardboard, sheetrock, wires, and even wood, increasing fire risks and spreading harmful bacteria.
Signs you may need a rat exterminator:
- Droppings around baseboards or in corners
- Gnaw marks on food packaging or wires
- Scratching sounds in walls or ceilings
- Nesting materials like shredded paper or insulation
Rodent Control for Your Home: What You Need to Know
If rats or mice are making themselves at home, it’s time to act fast. OPC Pest Services offers rat pest control service options tailored to outdoor access points and perimeter areas where rodents are most active.
Our rodent control approach includes:
- Exterior inspections to identify entry points
- Targeted outdoor baiting and exclusion strategies
- Quick service to limit rodent reproduction
- Application by trained and certified technicians
Don’t wait until damage is done – call in a rat exterminator to stop infestations at the source.
Termites: The Silent Structural Threat
Termites often go unnoticed until they’ve caused thousands in damage. They feed on wood and paper, weakening the very foundation of your home.
Watch for these signs of termite trouble:
- Mud tubes along walls or foundations
- Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
- Discarded wings near windows or door frames
- Cracked or bubbling paint
Termite Control for Your Home: Protection That Starts Outside
At OPC Pest Services, termite control for your home begins where the problem does – outdoors. We use professional termite spray treatments, never foggers, to eliminate active colonies and create a protective barrier around your home.
Why our termite treatment works:
- Applied by certified technicians using professional products
- Designed for long-lasting results without disrupting your home
- Supported with monthly visits when needed
Stop termites before they eat through your biggest investment – your home.
Ants: Small Size, Big Problem
Ants may seem harmless at first, but some species can damage wood, contaminate food, and overrun outdoor living spaces. Carpenter ants, in particular, can compromise the structure of decks, sheds, and siding.
Common signs of ant activity:
- Long trails of ants leading to food or water
- Small piles of sawdust near wood structures
- Ants appear after rainfall or irrigation
Ant Control for Your Home: More Than a Spray Can
Store-bought ant sprays often only treat the surface, not the source. OPC Pest Services offers ant control for your home that targets colonies, not just the scouts.
Our process includes:
- Perimeter treatments around the home’s foundation
- Strategic baiting to reach nesting sites
- Use of professional products that eliminate the colony over time
Keep ants out with treatments designed for outdoor effectiveness and long-term prevention.
How Outdoor Clutter Attracts Pests to Residential Spaces
Many homeowners don’t realize that common yard items can serve as pest magnets. Whether it’s stacked firewood, cluttered tool areas, or overgrown shrubs, pests see these as shelter, food, or both.
Common Outdoor Conditions That Draw Pests:
- Firewood or lumber stacked directly on the ground
- Unmaintained crawlspaces that collect moisture and debris
- Leaf piles and yard waste near the home’s exterior
- Clogged gutters, which contribute to moisture issues
- Old planters or outdoor toys left untouched
Cleaning up your outdoor space is one of the simplest and most effective steps toward pest prevention. Paired with crawlspace care and a consistent year-round pest control plan, you’ll build a stronger defense against unwanted visitors.
Protecting Hidden Spaces: Crawlspace Care
One of the most vulnerable – and most ignored – spaces in your home is the crawlspace. Damp, dark, and enclosed, it’s the perfect environment for pests like termites, rodents, and other insects to thrive.
Crawlspace Care: Your First Line of Defense
OPC offers crawlspace care as part of a proactive pest protection strategy. When crawlspaces are left untreated, they become entry points for pests and moisture-related issues.
Benefits of crawlspace care:
- Helps reduce moisture that attracts termites and rodents
- Prevents wood-to-soil contact
- Enhances air quality and energy efficiency
- Strengthens your overall barrier to infestation
Sealing off access where pests like to hide is one of the smartest steps you can take to protect your home from the inside out.
Year-Round Protection with BARRIER+
Keeping rodents, squirrels, snakes, and other wildlife away isn’t just about treating what you can see – it’s about stopping them before they get in. That’s where OPC’s exclusive BARRIER+ program comes in.
What Makes BARRIER+ Different?
BARRIER+ is a powerful option for homeowners who want continuous outdoor protection from many kinds of wildlife not just during peak season, but year-round.
Features of BARRIER+:
- Monthly exterior visits from certified technicians
- Protection against all types of rodents, birds, snakes, and more
- Focus on preventative treatments around entry points
- No need for indoor disruption
With BARRIER+, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your property is being actively defended from outside wildlife 12 months a year.
Take Control of Creepy Crawlers Before They Take Control of Your Home
Household pests are more than just annoying – they’re destructive, invasive, and often hard to detect. Whether you need crawlspace care, termite control for your home, or wildlife control (including comprehensive protection from rats, mice, squirrels, birds, snakes, and more with BARRIER+), OPC Pest Services is the pest control company you can rely on.
Stop wondering if that scratching in the walls means trouble. Contact us for a free quote and let our team of trained technicians reclaim your home from creepy crawlers today.
