For residents in Fairfax, Virginia, and the Washington D.C. metro area, bugs don't just disappear when the summer does. The holiday season marks a time when pests seek shelter from the colder temperatures outside and feast on the delicious crumbs that tend to scatter themselves along the counters, tables and floors inside your home. With that said, here are four pests to watch for who might show up to your thanksgiving dinner without an invitation.

Avoid Attracting Armies of Ants

Carpenter ants are the most widely found species in the area. They prefer to nest in wood that has been damaged by water, which can lead to further structural damage and drowning in even higher repair bills. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't eat wood. Instead, they excavate through it to create pathways and chambers for their colonies. In most cases, the only visible sign of a carpenter ant infestation will be leftover debris left from the small exit holes they create.

Blast the Bed Bugs Before They Become a Bigger Problem

A bed bug is a small parasitic insect, and after 50 years of limited activity, it has made a strong comeback in the United States. An adult female can lay up to five eggs, which are nearly invisible to the untrained eye, per day. Bed bugs feed on blood, especially from humans, but they will also feed on other warm-blooded animals if needed.

Here are some of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation:

  • Small brown droppings on the bed sheets or mattress
  • Tiny spots of blood on the bed sheets or mattress
  • Exoskeletons or 'cast skins' that growing nymphs shed

Secure Your Home From the Sneaky Spiders

Spiders tend to move indoors during the coldest months of the year in search of secure areas to build their webs. House spiders usually feed on small flies and other invertebrate insects. Inside, you'll likely find their webbing strung in garages, closets, under furniture or along joints where walls meet the ceiling. Although most spiders in our area aren't venomous, their bites can become frustratingly itchy.

Don't Trade Your Turkey Dinner for a Tick Infestation

Part of the 'Ixodidae' family of pests, ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of mice, fox, raccoons, rabbits and deer. While they don't feed on humans, they can carry and transmit serious diseases to them. Found in wooded and overgrown areas, like tall grass or shrubs, it's always best to take preventative measures to ensure there aren't any ticks on your clothing when returning from a common fall activity like a hike. Otherwise, you could expose yourself to health concerns in the future.

For pest control services in Fairfax, Virginia, and the Washington D.C. metro area, contact My Pest Pros today. Our customer service staff and certified pest control technicians will work around the clock to ensure your thanksgiving feast isn't shared with a bunch of bugs lurking in the darkest and deepest corners of your home.