In Northern Virginia, some pests are more prevalent during certain seasons. In the fall time, as the temperature lowers, there will be different types of pests than during the summer time. The most common pests you will see in and around your Northern Virginia home in the fall time are boxelder bugs, cockroaches, stink bugs and Mice.
Boxelder Bugs: Boxelder bugs are about a half inch long and have black, red or orange markings and wings. Boxelder bugs will feed on fruits and boxelder seeds. They are closely related to stink bugs and also cicadas and are known for being true bugs. Boxelder bugs are inactive until the weather becomes colder, so fall time is ideal for them. The best time to treat your home for Boxelder bugs is in the fall time and the most effective control for boxelder bugs include the use of pesticide treatments and getting professional seal outs done. Boxelder bugs are drawn to properties that offer them warmth and shelter from the cold winter weather.
Boxelder bugs are nuisance pests that do not sting, bite or transmit any diseases. They will not cause damage to your garden or your home, but their feces are able to stain surfaces. Boxelder bugs only live for a few days and will not invade your kitchen area like ants and some other pests do. While they do not present danger or harm to you or members of your household, they will emit a strong odor if they are crushed and overall can cause discomfort. They can be found mostly in walls or plants where they are near the sun and there is moisture.
Some things you can do to prevent boxelder bugs on your property are to treat your trees with special pesticides that will keep the bugs away. Spraying the bugs with a soapy water solution will eliminate them and regularly vacuuming will also help to keep the population down. Additionally you should have proper screening and seal-outs done and hire a pest control company to control pest populations on your property.
Cockroaches: Cockroaches are pests that will invade your home during the fall time because of the weather. Some things that attract roaches to your property are open food containers, trash, other pests, and leaving doors or windows open and not getting seal out done. It is important to hire a pest control company that can come up with a successful treatment plan for cockroach infestations.
Stink Bugs: Stink bugs are attracted to homes in Northern Virginia that offer them warmth before the winter. They will begin to enter your home in the fall time to seek shelter from the cold weather. Stink bugs are agricultural pests meaning they can cause damage to crops but do not pose a threat to people or animals. They will breed in the summer and mature in the fall time. Stink bugs will enter homes a number of ways and will seek shelter in walls, attics, basements and in crawl spaces in the fall prior to the cold winter temperatures. Stink bugs emit a strong, unpleasant odor from their glands that can cause discomfort to you and members of your household.
Stink Bug Prevention in Northern Virginia
There are certain things you can do to prevent stink bugs from getting into your home. These include doing seal-outs for cracks and crevices in the home, getting vent covers, repairing holes and getting proper screening will also help to deter the stink bugs from your home. LED outside lights might also help to keep the stink bugs away and discourage them from trying to get into your home. The best thing to do to prevent stink bugs is to hire a professional pest control company like Summit Pest Control. Summit will not only quote for services like treatment plans but will also look for opportunities for seal-out, screening and repairs.
Mice: In the fall time in Northern Virginia, mice will inhabit attic spaces to stay warm and prepare for the winter. Mice will build their nests in insulation, chew and gnaw on wooden support beams and urinate and defecate in the insulation, which not only causes unpleasant odors but also can result in the spread of harmful bacteria. If you have mice in your kitchen, attic, walls or crawl space, it is important to hire a professional pest control company like Summit Pest Control to get the population contained and get proper and effective treatments for your home.
Rodents like mice will also attract other wildlife to your property like snakes. In addition to pest control services for mice, Summit Pest Control can offer seal outs, attic insulation removal and replacement, clean-up and disinfectant services. It is important to keep your home clean and food stored properly. Mice are drawn to food and will live in your pantry and other parts of the kitchen and home where they have access to a food supply. It is also important to have repairs done, including proper seal outs done to prevent rodents and other pests from getting into your home.
Pests need to be controlled in order to prevent a major infestation that can quickly become unmanageable. Summit Pest Control will work to keep your home pest free during the fall time and long-term with pest management programs. For boxelder bug, mice, cockroaches and stink bug prevention and pest services, contact Summit Pest Control.
If you need a pest inspection for pest control services, contact Summit Pest Control at 703-884-2124 to schedule a free estimate for fall pest control in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and other parts of Northern Virginia.
