GOT A PEST PROBLEMIN WESTBROOK?

Peak intrusion in Westbrook during fall and winter. Chew wiring, contaminate food, carry hantavirus. Signs: droppings along walls, gnaw marks, scratching sounds at night.

Carpenter ants don't eat wood, they tunnel through it to nest — leaving smooth galleries that weaken framing in Westbrook homes. Signs: piles of frass below window frames, large ants on porches at night, faint rustling in walls.

Pets bring ticks into Westbrook homes from yards and parks. Year-round preventive medication is now standard. Signs: ticks on dog ears and between toes, ticks crawling on bed sheets, embedded ticks at hairline.

Stinging insect deaths are rare but serious — anaphylaxis risk is highest for Westbrook residents with bee/wasp allergies. Signs: nests in shrubs, sheds, or playground equipment, repeated stings from disturbing a hidden colony.

Sealing gaps in siding, windows, and attic vents in late summer is the best defense for Westbrook homes. Signs: bugs squeezing through gaps in cedar shingles, evening fly-ins to porch lights, foul odor from vacuum bags.

Bed bug infestations in Westbrook multi-unit buildings often require coordinated treatment across multiple apartments. Signs: bites only at night, bugs in headboard cracks, sweet musty odor in heavily infested rooms.