You Know It's Time To Hire An Exterminator When....

Hurting no living thing is a wonderful creed to live by but even a pacifist will sometimes realize that it's time to bring in an exterminator. Yes, every bug and animal has the right to exist as long as they do it on their own turf. When the critters start to invade your home and you no longer have a safe sanctuary, it's time to take action. Some proactive steps include tactics such as making sure no food is left out, wiping up all spills on countertops and floors, leaving no doorways or windows open without screens, and fixing any holes in said screens but if it's still not enough to stop the tiny invaders, the big guns of pest control will have to be called in. Here are some signs that show it's time to say goodbye to the pests:

- You wake up every morning with bug bites all over your body: Red, painful or itchy, waking up with bites all over your chest, stomach, legs and arms is enough to make anyone squirm or develop insomnia. Whether they're bed bugs, spiders or some unidentified creepy crawlies, enough is enough.

- Spiders in the bathtub: After a long, hard day, you climb into the bathtub only to see that several arachnids have climbed in with you. Large, small, long legged or those with that telltale red hourglass on their back - they're not welcome. Spiders climbing up the tiles, dangling above your naked, reclining body and a few hiding behind the shampoo bottles - this is no way to relax. Want to know how to spell relief? EXTERMINATOR.

- Moths in your coffee pot and drinks: Moths are attracted to light and moisture. If you can't even have a cup of tea without covering it with saran wrap or you'll find a flock of moths swimming around in there, it's time to get mad. If you stumble in to brew some coffee in the morning but see a colony of moths nesting in the spot where you're about to pour water, just say no.

- Wearing reading glasses while eating to spot insects in food: If you can't even eat a meal without your glasses on because there's a good chance those little black flecks aren't pepper, it's time to get tough. Not only is it unappetizing to have bugs in your food, it's unhealthy.

- Spider webs behind your headboard: Time for bed but first a little light reading. You prop your pillow up on your headboard and notice you're smack dab in the middle of an intricate spider web. Think you're going to get any shut-eye tonight? It's not likely.

Killing things is not on the list of favorite duties for a pacifist but there comes a time when it's you or them. If a person doesn't feel comfortable in his or her own home, has a body covered with welts, and observes floaters or dive bombers in the tub, coffee pot, beverages and bed, it's high time to take action and call in the exterminator.