With winter on the horizon and spring not far behind, your home may be vulnerable to a pest infestation. Like people, pests notice when the cold temperatures arrive. Chilly conditions cause them to search for warmer digs, and if they find it in your home, you may have trouble getting them to leave. Don’t let pests fall in love with your home. Contact a professional pest control company to stop them from developing warm fuzzies for your place of residence.
The Area's Common Pests
In the D.C., northern Virginia and Maryland area, common pests include termites, ants and cockroaches as well as spiders, earwigs and beetles. Spring is the time to worry about termites because this is when they swarm. Once the area’s temperatures range from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, termites start to breed. If they get inside your home, they can cause major structural damage.
Ants will fall in love with your home if you give them access to food. These pests also become more active in the spring. If you spot them inside your home, then you probably have a large colony underneath your foundation or located nearby. Like ants, cockroaches are attracted to food. The beasties are nocturnal, so you may not be aware of their presence until the infestation is large.
In the winter, your warm home may also attract spiders, earwigs and beetles. If they lay eggs, you’ll be facing an infestation during the spring.
Keeping Pests Out of Your Home
To dissuade pests from entering your home, keep it tidy both inside and out. This includes trimming the bushes and plants that are near your foundation. It’s also a good idea to store compost and firewood away from your home. Repair leaking pipes because some insects prefer moist conditions. Also, inspect your foundation for cracks and gaps. If you spot insect-friendly entry points, be sure to fill them in with caulk. Take this step with your windows and doors as well.
Infestation Signs
Often, sightings and odors are the most common signs of a pest infestation. If bugs like ants, termites and earwigs have decided to make your home their home, then your first indicator is usually seeing one of them. You may smell cockroaches while termites leave other clues of their existence. For instance, if you have a termite infestation, you may spot mud tubes attached to your home’s foundation or sawdust.
It’s Best to Rely on the Professionals
While do-it-yourself pest control is tempting, it’s best to rely on a professional pest control company. At My Pest Pros, we use the latest bug elimination techniques to get rid of many legged houseguests. We also train our technicians to know the signs of different types of D.C., northern Virginia and Maryland pests. Contact My Pest Pros for all of your pest control needs. We can take care of your pest problem quickly and effectively.