Pest Control Info
Blue Ridge, VA

Aedes mosquitoes are a specific kind of mosquito known for their involvement in transmitting a range of grave illnesses, including Zika virus, dengue fever, and yellow fever. These mosquitoes can be found across the world, with a significant presence in urban areas of Virginia and other states. A distinguishing feature of Aedes mosquitoes is their black and white striped legs and thorax, and their inclination to bite during daylight hours. Only female Aedes mosquitoes spread diseases as they feed on human blood to get the nutrients needed to produce eggs. Taking precautions, such as removing stagnant water where they lay their eggs, is essential to thwart their breeding.

Subterranean termites in Blue Ridge, VA are dark brown in color with oval-shaped bodies and milky-colored wings. They can grow up to 1/8th of an inch in size. Subterranean termites live entirely underground, making them challenging to detect. Their diet consists of wood that is typically in direct contact with soil and other forms of cellulose. In order to prevent infestations of subterranean termites, it is recommended to use chemical barriers for wood that comes in direct contact with soil around homes or buildings.

Periplaneta americana, commonly known as American cockroaches, have a characteristic reddish-brown body with a yellow band outlining their pronotum. They are one of the largest cockroach species in Virginia, capable of growing up to 3 inches in length. American cockroaches are omnivorous and have a diverse diet that includes organic matter, sweets, and human or pet food. They are known to spread diseases and contaminate food and surfaces.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus, or carpenter ant, are black in color with butter yellow colored hair on their abdomen. They range in size from 6 to 14 millimeters. This carpenter ant is extremely destructive and will nest and burrow in wooden structures such as fence posts or buildings. While they do eat fruit and nectar, they are also fierce predators who will eat many other pests. When the opportunity presents itself, they will also scavenge for human food and trash.

Deer mice, commonly recognized by their typical round and brown appearance, possess cream-colored underbellies and elongated tails, reaching sizes ranging from 5 to 8 inches in length. During colder seasons, they seek refuge indoors, nesting among cluttered storage areas or small, cave-like spaces in Blue Ridge households. Omnivorous in nature, they feed on both plants and insects.

Shamrock Spiders in Virginia have extremely round, cream colored, abdomens with brown and white dotted legs. They range in size from 1/2 inch to 3/4 of an inch and prefer to build their webs in tall grass to catch their prey. They spin a new web every day and eat the previous day’s web first thing in the morning. Shamrock spider’s diet consists of small flying insects that land in their webs.

Bald-faced Hornets, scientifically known as Dolichovespula maculata, exhibit a striking black and white coloration pattern with white faces. They reach a body length of nearly 5/8th of an inch. These hornets construct conspicuous, globular paper nests, usually high up in trees, shrubs, or on buildings. They are active predators and hunt a variety of insects, including caterpillars, aphids, and crickets. Interestingly, bald-faced hornets have a well-developed facial recognition system and can remember individual human faces for a certain period of time, attacking those who have previously disturbed their nest.

Deer Ticks are reddish-brown in color with a hard black exterior and only reach 3 millimeters in length. They are one of the most well known species of ticks since they are responsible for spreading Lyme disease. They wait in tall grass and brush filled areas until a host walks by and then will attach themselves until they are full. If you have been bitten by a deer tick, it’s important to follow instructions closely to remove them properly in order to avoid bursting their body and releasing the bacteria inside of them.

Cimex lectularius, commonly known as bed bugs, exhibit a warm brown coloration and possess a maximum length of 7 millimeters. These hematophagous insects exclusively subsist on blood and prefer habitats situated in close proximity to humans and animals. In particular, bed bugs are known to dwell in mattresses, bedding, and headboards, where they are able to stealthily feed on sleeping humans. To prevent infestations, it is recommended to vacuum frequently, avoid storing loose items under beds, and maintain cleanliness to minimize potential hiding places for bed bugs.