Alexandria Pest Control

5 Most Common Household Pests in Alexandria

Tired of all these bugs getting into your house? Know what you’re dealing with! Check out the 5 most common household pests in Alexandria below.

Homeowners have a lot to worry about already, without seasonal bugs and pests getting into the home. Some are predictable, and some you may not even know about if you’ve only recently moved to the Alexandria area.

Knowing about common pests is half the battle because then you can do something about them. Before you start seeing new bugs in the home, get prepared by doing some research.

Take a look at these 5 most common household pests you can expect to find in your Alexandria home.

1. Ants, One of the Most Common Household Pests

Ants like warm, dry soil, and usually you find ant hills outside in the cracks in the driveway or on the lawn. Yet ants also come into the home because they’re looking for food, so the kitchen is the likeliest place to find these bugs. That’s also the least likely place you want to put poison or other dangerous pest-eliminating chemicals.

Keep the ants away by making sure all food is put away and stored in air-tight containers. It means more diligence about dishes and mealtimes, but it’s worth the effort to have a bug-free home.

2. Mice & Rats

Small rodents leave droppings all around the home, as well as teeth-marks. They can cause real danger when they chew on electric cords. Mice and rats can carry diseases, too.

If you suspect a rodent infestation in your home, inspect the packaging on food items stored in hard-to-reach places. They often chew holes in containers to access the food inside.

3. Spiders

You hear a lot about how spiders are good bugs because they eat the other ones. Yet it’s hard to convince yourself when you see them making webs everywhere, or if you find one inside the house. They certainly like to come in, especially in the autumn when it starts to get cold outside.

You’ll find wolf spiders in Virginia, which can grow very large and get mistaken for tarantulas because they’re hairy. Black Widows are also common, with a red hourglass mark on the abdomen. You should seek immediate medical attention if you’ve been bitten by a poisonous spider.

4. Cockroaches

There are around 30 different species of cockroaches, but at least 4 of them are common pests. They’re notoriously hard to get rid of. These bugs like warm climates, and many like the damp.

If you hear a hissing or chirping noise, the sound might be a cockroach. You’ll also find them scurrying away if you turn on lights suddenly or move a box where they were hiding. They range from very small to over 3 inches, so don’t mistake small to mean a bug isn’t a cockroach.

5. Wasps & Hornets

These stinging bugs are one of the biggest dangers to your family. While they don’t destroy the home as termites do, their venom can cause serious injury, especially if you discover a large nest. Some nests hold as many as 25,000 wasps, and they don’t lose their stinger after they use it as other stinging bees do.

Clearing Your Home of Pests

It’s easy to shudder when you read an article like this about household pests and put off doing something because the thought grosses you out. Yet the sooner you call a pest control company, the sooner you can sleep in peace at night.

Calling a Eco-friendly pest control company is the best way to get rid of these pests. They can help you eliminate the bugs without putting your family in danger.

For help confirming and treating any infestation, contact Planet Friendly Pest Control today.