Manassas Common Pests

Garden Spiders, Orb Weaver Spider, and Wolf Spiders are a few of the eight-legged friends that are the cause of the newly acclaimed #1 fear in the United States. Even though they are hairy and creepy, most of them are our partners in controlling many of the insects around your home. However, if your voice is one of the millions that scream in terror of these crawly creatures, we at Preventive Pest Control Manassas have the solution to keep your home arachnid-free.

Pavement Ants- Pavement ants nest under stones, in the cracks and along the edges of pavement.  In the winter they will nest in the structure near a heat source.  These ants tend aphids for the honey dew as a major food source. Pavement ants also feed on seeds and greasy materials.
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Odorous House Ants- Odorous house ants are very common invaders to our homes in the Manassas region. If you have lived here very long, you probably know them on a personal level. They have multiple queens in a single colony which means that colonies can grow very quickly.  They prefer honey dew from aphids but are known as opportunistic feeders which means that they will feed on just about anything they find: from sweets or grease to protein.

Carpenter Ants – Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood for nourishment.  They are just looking for a place to live.  They usually attack soft or rotten wood that is easy to excavate. These tunnels in the wood of a home are called galleries.  Carpenter ants enjoy a “clean” home; therefore, a distinct sign of an infestation is a small hole in the wood called a “kick out” hole with a pile of sawdust called “fras” close to the opening.  

Eastern Subterranean Termites – They are the single pest with the greatest economic impact in the United States. These termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year to homes, historical structures, and commercial buildings. Subterranean termites have existed for over 55 million years and are extremely good at what they do. Termites work together as a colony amazing well which is what makes them so good at devouring structural wood. A termite colony is very organized and well coordinated, every termite having its very own task to complete.

Stink Bugs – Stinkbugs are primarily an agricultural pest but become a nuisance both indoors and outdoors when prompted to release its odorous protection. Stink bugs are attracted to the outside of houses on warm fall days in search of protected locations which will be used for nesting sites over the winter. Stink bugs occasionally reappear during warmer, sunny periods throughout the winter. They then emerge in full force again in the spring.

German cockroaches - The German cockroach is one of the most bothersome members of the cockroach family.  They are probably one of the most irritating pests to home owners because their primary habitat becomes your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, behind appliances, and in the walls.  German cockroaches can also reproduce quite quickly becoming an infestation in no time at all.  In fact 1 pair of German cockroaches can lay up to 10,000 eggs per year.  You do the math!

Silverfish - Silverfish are small, soft insects without wings, usually having a dull silver color (sometimes appearing more gray).  Homeowners do not often see silverfish because they are nocturnal and can run very swiftly. Occasionally, they are found in bathtubs and sinks. They crawl into the sink or bathtub seeking food or moisture and can't climb out. When one appears in your sink or tub, it is a good sign that there are more lurking close by. Indoors they feed on almost anything. A partial list includes flour, starch, paper, gum, glue, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, sugar, molds and breakfast cereals.

Mosquitoes- Mosquitoes, because of their need to feed on blood, can be very bothersome pests. Many people, once bitten, develop an itchy welt for a few days. Allergic reactions extend the welt for even weeks.  They can travel up to a full mile or even more from their breeding spot to find a meal. Female mosquitoes are ready to bite one or two days after emerging as adults.  Some of the pest control for mosquitoes is prevention.  Doing the small things such as removing any standing water around your home from gutters, planter, or clutter can go a long way in keeping the numbers down.

For more information on Manassas Pest Control, please don't hesitate to contact us.