Spring Pest Control In Norfolk

Stopping ants & cockroaches with spring pest control

Spring is almost here, and it won’t be long before the warmer weather sticks around. Unfortunately, that means the pests are starting to move! No one wants to deal with an infestation, but the good news is you don’t have to. When you know the risks, you can take action to keep unwanted visitors out. By getting ahead of ants and cockroaches with preventative measures and spring pest control, you can protect your Norfolk home before these pests have a chance to settle in.

Ants & cockroaches you’re likely to see around your Norfolk home this spring

Norfolk is home to plenty of ants and cockroaches, but a few are more likely to show up around your home this spring.

Acrobat Ants

Acrobat ants are small, reddish-brown ants that lift their abdomens in the air when disturbed. They like to nest in moist or water-damaged wood and are considered nuisance pests.

Argentine Ants

Argentine ants are tiny ants that are dark brown or black. They are an invasive species that can introduce health concerns if they enter your house.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are large ants that can be black, red, brown, or a combination of these colors. They are wood-damaging pests that infest and dig tunnels in wooden structures, weakening them over time.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are small and reddish brown. They tend to invade sunny yards, building large, unsightly ant mounds that lead to underground nests and tunnels. Fire ants are known for their painful stings.

Little Black Ants

As their name implies, little black ants are little and black. They typically get indoors while foraging for food and are considered nuisance pests.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants are similar in size and coloring to little black ants. Their distinguishing feature is the rotten coconut scent they give off when crushed. They are not dangerous or destructive. However, they can contaminate food as they forage.

American Cockroaches

American cockroaches are the largest cockroaches in the Norfolk area. They can grow over one and a half inches long and have reddish-brown bodies. They also have a yellowish figure-eight pattern behind their heads. American roaches can fly short distances but are more likely to run. Because of the pathogens they carry and spread, they are a serious health risk.

German Cockroaches

German cockroaches are small, light brown roaches that grow to around half an inch in length. They are easily identifiable by the two dark parallel strips that run down their backs from their heads to the base of their wings. Although this species has wings, it does not fly. Like other cockroaches, German roaches are a serious health risk, introducing illness and triggering asthma and allergies.

Oriental Cockroaches

Oriental cockroaches are about an inch long and have shiny, black bodies. Males of this species have short wings that cover about ¾ of their bodies, while females have even shorter, underdeveloped wings that do not extend past their abdomens. Neither is capable of flight. They can also carry and spread germs and pathogens that cause illness.

Why ant and cockroach activity increases in the spring

Like other insects, ants and cockroaches like the heat. They are most active in the summer when the temperature is at its highest. When the weather cools off in fall, and through the winter, ant and cockroach activity slows down. If these pests are already in your house, they may remain active through the coldest months, but once spring arrives, you’ll notice a sharp uptick in activity.

How to prevent ants and cockroaches

As winter fades and you start tackling spring cleaning, why not add pest prevention to your to-do list? A little effort now can keep ants, cockroaches, and other unwanted bugs from making themselves at home.

Here’s how to avoid an ant or cockroach infestation:

• Keep your grass and landscaping trimmed and free of overgrowth and debris.
• Reduce moisture around the exterior of your house.
• Store outdoor garbage bins away from your house, and make sure they have tightly fitting lids.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your foundation to close potential entry points.
• Repair or replace screens that have holes or tears.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Store all food in sealed containers.
• Wash dishes immediately after use.
• Wipe down countertops and sweep floors after meals.
• Take out the trash regularly.
• Make routine checks to ensure you have no leaking pipes.
• Reduce clutter throughout your house.
• Reduce humidity in your house, especially in bathrooms, the kitchen, and the basement.

Spring pest control in Norfolk that gets rid of ants & roaches

If ants or cockroaches appear in your home, don’t wait—call a professional pest control company immediately. Some ants are just a nuisance, but others can be a threat, and all cockroaches pose risks. These pests are tough to eliminate without the proper treatment, so getting expert help is the best way to keep your home free of pest infestations and your loved ones protected.

Here at Getem Services, we offer ongoing home pest control services that include treatment every season, eliminating existing pest issues, and preventing future infestations. If you’re dealing with ants, American or Oriental roaches, or other pests infesting your home, our plan is the perfect fit!

Although not included in our home pest control plan, we also offer German cockroach control services, delivering effective treatments that eradicate adults and other life stages.

Get ahead of the spring pest influx by contacting Getem Services today. Serving Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and the Hampton Roads area since 1922, you can rely on our locally owned and family-operated pest control company!