In Northern Virginia, we have all four seasons of fall, winter, spring and summer. We are a state that experiences true seasons, meaning the temperatures and climate reflect what is typical to the season. For example, it is hot in summer, cool in fall, cold in winter and brisk in spring. We have dry seasons, rainy seasons, snow, periods of extreme heat or cold. In Virginia, we experience all varieties of weather. There are pests during all four seasons.
Fall pests
Pests that are more prevalent in the home in the fall are boxelder bugs, stink bugs and mice. The boxelder bugs hibernate in the winter and look for shelter in the fall. They can bite causing red bumps on the skin and they can also cause damage to homes because their feces are red and can stain floors and walls. Cockroaches also tend to cause problems in Northern Virginia during the fall. Mice spread diseases such as the hantavirus or salmonella. There is also a protein in their urine that can cause people to have asthma attacks. Stink bugs release an odor in the home and can cause problems. Some suggestions for fall pests are to remove air conditioning units from windows, ensure proper repairs are done and mice don’t have easy access points into your home. Lastly, it is important to hire a professional pest control service.
Winter pests
Winter pests include silverfish and house centipedes. Silverfish are insects that live in wood piles and debris and live up to three years. House centipedes are small, brown insects with one hundred legs. They prefer damp places like cellars, closets, bathrooms, and attics. They are fast moving and females can lay up to 35 eggs in a few days. With their ability to quickly reproduce, a few centipedes can turn into hundreds overnight. Some suggestions for winter pests are to seal cracks and crevices, using a dehumidifier in the basement to make sure there is no amount of water and to reduce the number of cardboard boxes that some pests like to use for their homes.
Spring pests
Some pests present in the spring in Northern Virginia are carpenter ants, termites and ticks. Carpenter ants can cause damage to wooden structures because they use wood to make their nests. Termites are also insects that will destroy wood for their benefit. They will consume wood at any given time and are responsible for over $5 billion in property damages yearly. Ticks are parasite insects that feed off the blood of their hosts. They are known for spreading harmful diseases such as Lyme disease and can be found in wooded areas and carried into homes by pets and people without them knowing. These are just some of the numerous spring pests that are present in Northern Virginia, but they are also some of the most dangerous when it comes to spreading diseases and affecting the health of people. In addition to being dangerous in terms of health, they are also dangerous in the sense that they will cause often-times very expensive property damage. A few suggestions for preventing an infestation of some of these spring pests is to keep your yard free of debris and trim tree limbs away from the house, move logs or piles of wood away from the property to ensure there are no carpenter ants and termites around and lastly seal up any sweets and other food so pests aren’t attracted to you property because of easy access to a food source.
Summer pests
A few pests present in the summer months in Northern Virginia are stinging insects, mosquitoes and bed bugs. Stinging insects include wasps, hornets and bees. In Virginia there are various species of stinging insects and their level of sting intensity varies. Mosquitoes bite people and animals causing them to itch. They are capable of spreading diseases such as West Nile virus and Dengue Fever. Bed bugs are active year round but they are most active during the summer months. They enter homes on furniture, mattresses and box springs and are nocturnal. In the summer it is important to remember to not try to swat at or attempt to kill stinging insects, because they might try to sting you. Additionally it is suggested you cover food if you are eating outside so that you don’t attract pests.
Why do I have pests?
As previously mentioned, pests can enter your home in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is obvious that you have a pest problem and other times it can go unnoticed for a while. Sometimes pests are drawn to your home or will stay in your home if they have access to feed or warmth, otherwise they don’t have easy access to. In order to not attract pests to your home, you need to keep your home clean and void of materials that will draw them into your home. When you have a pest problem in your home, if left untreated it can last for months or even years. To ensure your home doesn’t become a home to unwanted pests, you should hire an expert to do a pest inspection to ensure that your home is properly sealed and there are no entry ways for the pests to come in.
What to do when there are pests in my home in Northern Virginia?
If there are pests in your home, you need to address the situation. Here at Summit, we offer free pest control estimates where a pest control technician will come out and inspect your property for pests. We will then establish a treatment plan to best solve your pest control problem. Skilled and trained pest control technicians know about proven effective techniques and commercial grade chemicals and traps that will effectively take care of the problem. They are skilled in getting the job done and will make sure it is completed to meet your standards and ours. For more information about protecting your home from pests in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and surrounding Northern Virginia areas, contact us today.
