Life in Reston consists of beautiful neighborhoods lined with trees, access to the Potomac River, and a suburban lifestyle where you never run out of things to do. Whether it was summer ticket to roasting outdoor evenings, present mosquito swarms come to Lake Anne to spring carpenter ant invasions throughout our wooded areas, in Reston, pest alliance, each season requires a distinct strategy.
Understanding these seasonal tendencies is essential to keeping our homes pest-free in Reston. Although DIY approaches may provide some immediate respite, the intricacies of our local pest ecosystem make hiring a pest control company in Reston crucial for long-term results.
Pest Threats As Per Season In Reston
During Summer
Mosquitoes and Biting Insects
With summer upon us, our mosquitoes are bad again, especially around Lake Anne Plaza and all the retention ponds in our planned communities. They peak in July and August, causing discomfort and potentially deadly disease transmission if you are outside.
Stinging Insects
In late summer, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets become aggressive. They nest in decks and tree hollows along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and in the overhangs of homes in North Point and Hunters Woods.
Ants and Crawling Insects
Carpenter redback ants are very dangerous, especially in woodsmen of Reston; in contrast, pavement ants invade driveways and sidewalks. The warm, humid climates are followed directly by conditions relating to cockroaches, specifically where there are places where drainage cannot be met.
During Spring
Termites
In Reston, spring is the termite swarming season, which generally occurs between March and May. Termites are one of our costliest pest threats, and according to local pest control data, about 23% of Reston homes show signs of activity.
Carpenter Ants
These tree and plant pests awake from their winter hibernation and start new colonies. They are especially drawn to the moisture-damaged wood found in many of Reston’s older homes, particularly those built in the community’s early construction phase in the 1960s.
Spiders and Occasional Invaders
As temperatures warm up, so do wolf spiders, house spiders, and the brown marmorated stink bug. These bugs usually get into homes through cracks and gaps around the windows and doors, looking for food and safe places to hide.
During Fall
Stink Bugs
Autumn is the season that brings our dear old brown marmorated stink bug infestation, which those of us in Northern Virginia are all too familiar with. These pests cluster on the warm sides of buildings, typically homes facing south or west, as they prepare for hibernation this winter.
Rodents
October marks the time when mice and rats start to search for shelter to survive the winter. The nearby woods, including cross-country trail systems found at many Reston homes, offer access routes for these critters, who enter through the tiniest of openings.
Overwintering Insects
Some insects, such as the Asian lady beetle, cluster fly, and boxelder bug, congregate outdoors in large numbers on the sides of buildings before making their way inside. This is a significant issue, particularly within Reston townhome communities, where multiple common walls make break-ins possible.
During Winter
Indoor Ant Activity
Outdoor ants slow down but offer apartments and homes an ample opportunity to survive through the winter months. Pharaoh ants and little black ants continue their activity in warm places in specific areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Stored Product Pests
When homeowners are spending more time indoors during winter months, pantry pests such as Indian meal moths and grain beetles will be more conspicuous. They are wily little beasts who take over dry goods and pet food in a flash.
Rodent Pressure
Rodent pressure peaks during winter as food sources outside become limited. Research has found that rodents infest 18 percent of Reston homes in the winter months, with an average of 1.6 burrows per home.
Always Seek Proactive Help!
A good pest control service in Reston is not just reactive treatment for home/property owners, but proactive/pre-emptive pest control that may differ from season to season. Companies such as Green Pest Services have created specialized programs explicitly tailored for Reston homeowners using our local pest pressures and seasonal patterns. This integrated approach treats existing infestations while also preventing pests and protecting your home year-round because they understand that with all the wooded areas and water supply near us, we need an ongoing solution.
