Each year, mice and rats contaminate and destroy enough food worldwide to feed 200 million people. These rodent droppings are known to transmit pathogens that cause diseases including hantavirus and salmonellosis. In addition to numerous health risks, rodents can chew through wallboard, cardboard, wood, and even electrical wiring, causing expensive damage and posing a fire hazard.

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If you go outside in the DC area, you’ll see hundreds, if not thousands, of bugs crawling out of dime-sized holes in the ground after 17 years in the soil. Now that the average soil temperature has reached more than 64 degrees, these cicadas have emerged in full force and will mate and die over the course of four to six weeks. Most Americans see a handful of cicadas in their yards every summer, but an emergence like this will be massive in comparison.

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It’s spring, a time when bees usually begin to show up, making nests and colonies in places outside your home that are sheltered from the weather. The most common types of bees you’ll likely see are honey bees and bumblebees, and it can be difficult to tell which is which. Bees can also be hazardous due to their ability to sting, but due to their impact on the ecosystem, should not be eradicated in the same way as other pests. Here’s what you need to know about these insects.

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In the spring of 2004 and before that in 1987, there were cicadas everywhere.  These periodical cicadas, who are part of a group known as Brood X, only come out once every 17 years. You might have guessed it… they’re due for a visit this year.

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Do you have a dog or a cat? Your pet may have had fleas at one time and you probably medicate him or her for tick prevention on a regular basis. While most are aware that critters like ticks and fleas are obvious irritants to our pets, there are some other pests that can affect your furry friend.

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When most people think of moths, they think of small, winged insects that are attracted to bright lights. However, there’s much more variety to this pest type than that. If certain kinds of moths sneak into your home, there’s a chance that when looking for food, they can get into your pantry products. That’s not the only place they’ll find food, though. Many moths feed on animal fibers, which means you may also find them infesting your closet. Here’s what you need to know about clothing moths.

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Many don’t realize it, but pest prevention is an important part of maintaining your home. Similar to changing the oil in your car so you don’t have engine problems or replacing old hoses to your washing machine so you don’t have a water problem, making the effort to exclude pests and eliminate their food sources prevents having big pest problems in the future.

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As a Northern Virginia homeowner, your property is one of your biggest investments. However, a termite invasion can quickly and quietly destroy your home’s value. Preventing termite damage begins with understanding termites, what they eat and key signs of an infestation. Here are some things you could be doing that are attracting termites into your home.

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If you are someone who has switched on your kitchen light at night and screamed at the top of your lungs because you have spotted a creepy, crawly cockroach on your countertop, then you are not alone. A cockroach problem in the kitchen is a common problem, but one that can be fixed!

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Mice, particularly house mice, are the most commonly encountered rodent in the home. They tend to make nests out of whatever unused materials they can find and often begin to infest homes by crawling or digging through tight holes in walls.

Continue reading Are House Mice Raiding Your Pantry? →