Spring is for bicycle rides, backyard football games, and delicious outdoor picnics. But with a welcoming warmth in the air, we aren’t the only ones feeling renewed and ready for action.
All winter long, creatures dwelling in Virginia await the warm weather of spring. And with the turn of the season, animals and insects of all kinds are back to their bustling lives. Unfortunately, this means your chances of spotting pests in your home are even higher than before.
However, there’s no need to worry about springtime pests ruining your neighborhood barbeque. James River Pest Solutions shares everything there is to know about the flies, rodents, and other pests you may find in your home.
Don’t let the creepy crawlers squash your spring season this year.
Common Spring Pests in Virginia
If you come across any of the following common pests, be sure to give us a call. In the meantime, check out our expert advice on what signs to look for when suspecting an infestation. Additionally, we’ve listed our top pest prevention tips to help you keep your Virginia home pest-free in spring.
Flies
Flies are overwintering insects. In other words, from November to February, many fly species will rest and conserve energy for when temperatures warm. So, with the approach of spring, it is very common to see flies buzzing around your home.
Signs of a fly infestation:
- If you have stagnant pools of water around your home, have you noticed any larvae swimming around?
- Have you discovered a surplus of flies swarming bright lights in or around your home?
- Do you see maggots or eggs in exposed or pantry foods?
Believe it or not, pesky flies are a potential risk to you and your family’s health. These insects constantly land on disease-ridden trash, rotting food, and decaying biomatter. From these interactions, flies pick up ill-causing bacteria and parasites. Therefore, when the fly lands on your food or kitchen counters, they spread around harmful bacteria, potentially exposing you and your family to serious health issues.
Ants
On a quest for food and shelter, ants often find their way into Virginia homes. During winter, ant colonies slow down to bear the cold weather. Come springtime, ants are on the move, once again.
Signs of an ant infestation:
- Have you discovered sawdust piles near any small cracks or holes in the structure of your home?
- Are there any trails of sawdust, dirt, sand, or soil?
- Do you hear rustling sounds in the walls of your home?
The Carpenter ant is the biggest threat to Virginia homes. This is because they nest inside walls and, like termites, cause significant damage to the structure of a building.
Spiders
Spiders are some of the most dreaded and feared of Virginia pests. No one wants these bone-chilling bugs in their home this spring. However, they can actually be of service to you. Spiders prey on many unwelcomed insects hiding in our homes, like flies and ants.
Signs of a spider infestation:
- While inspecting the dark and damp areas of your home, are there any signs of spider activity?
- Have you seen the silky egg sack of a female spider?
- Do you notice numerous webs in or around your property?
Although most home-invading spiders are completely harmless, you want to be familiar with two dangerous species. Sightings of the black widow and brown recluse spiders are rare but still possible. Their venom is potent enough to send an infected human to the hospital.
Stinging Insects
Springtime is right around the corner, which means flowers are almost ready to bloom. Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets await the fresh selection of sweet nectar.
But bees can be a bummer when you have children and pets that can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the crisp spring air. And if you or a family member are allergic to the sting of a bee or any other insect, their presence can be alarming.
Signs of a bee, wasp, or other stinging insect infestation:
- Do you hear buzzing sounds throughout the day?
- Have you noticed an excess of bees or wasps around your property?
- Are there nests or hives in and around your home?
Keep an eye out for honey bees, bumblebees, yellow jackets, and wasps this spring. However, as many people assume, they aren’t out to get you. These stinging insects will leave you be unless they feel threatened. So, avoid swatting at or trying to capture a stinging insect if it enters your home. Instead, try not to lose sight of where it travels and give a professional a call.
Termites
After a chilly winter, termites are awakened by the warm temperatures. They can cause more damage in spring than at any other time of year. These wood-eating insects can crumble an entire home in no time at all. That’s why it is essential to look out for signs of a termite infestation at the start of the spring season.
Signs of a termite infestation:
- Have you discovered small holes in the structure of your home?
- Do you see crumbling drywall?
- Are there any dried wings lying around from a termite shedding?
- Do you hear a hollow sound when you tap on a solid structure?
Termite infestations require the expertise of a professional extermination team. You may even need to evacuate the building for days or weeks as your home is treated with dangerous chemicals. If you suspect your home is at risk of a termite infestation, contact your local pest control company immediately. Otherwise, you may lose your precious home to termites this spring.
Rodents
Spring is primetime for rodent infestations. Rodents like mice and rats escape the cold temperatures of winter by hiding away in your home. But when spring comes around, they kick back into gear and prepare for mating season. And no one wants to reproduce mice in their home.
Signs of a mouse, rat, or other rodent infestation:
- Do you see chew marks on the furniture or walls in your home?
- Check the wires around your house. Are any of them damaged?
- Have you discovered mouse or rat droppings throughout your home?
- Do you hear scratching sounds in the walls or coming from the ceiling?
- Are your pets showing odd behavior, perhaps from spotting a rodent scurrying around?
Rodents are known for carrying diseases that can put you and your family at risk. Like flies, much of their lives are spent in bacteria and parasite hotspots. So, if you find a rat, mouse, or any other rodent in your Virginia home, reach out to James River Pest Solutions immediately.
How to Prevent Pests in Your Virginia Home This Spring
Springtime is a season of fresh starts and new beginnings. Though, we aren’t the only ones who enjoy the warm weather and flower blooms. Pests of all kinds come alive at the start of spring. So, to stay safe while soaking up every bit of what spring has to offer, we suggest the following expert pest prevention tips.
1 | Seal Cracks and Holes
Inspect the inside and outside of your home for holes and cracks. Seal these entryways using the appropriate product found at your local hardware store.
2 | Cover All Trash
Always cover indoor and outdoor trash bins to keep the critters out. If you can lock your trash bins, do so.
3 | Vacuum Carpets and Rugs
Regularly vacuum the carpeted areas of your home. Be sure to include any rugs inside or outside of your home. Some spring pests lay their eggs in carpet material.
4 | Eliminate Standing Water
Get rid of any stagnant pools or puddles of water surrounding your home. These are prime locations for the eggs and larvae of common pests, like flies and mosquitoes.
5 | Never Leave Food Out
Avoid leaving food out on your kitchen counters. Exposed fruits and vegetables are especially attractive to flies and sugar ants.
6 | Keep Doors Shut
Make a habit of quickly shutting the door upon entering and exiting your home. That way, you lessen the possibility of pests sneaking in.
7 | Safely Handle Poisons and Traps
Use store-bought poisons and traps safely by thoroughly reading through the directions and warnings printed on the product’s label.
James River Pest Control is Here to Help
At times, no matter what we do, flies, ants, and other pesky critters find their way into our homes. If this sounds familiar, you are certainly not alone.
At James River, we want to give you total peace of mind. We’ll take care of any pest problems you may currently have. Then, we’ll develop a plan for your home to keep them out all year long.
If you find pests in your Virginia home this spring season, call the trusted experts at James River Pest Solutions.