It’s summertime in Virginia, which means backyard barbeques, sunny outdoor adventures, and beating the heat at the pool. But in addition to all the fun, the warmer weather can also bring summer bugs into your home.

Virginia has hot, humid summers with a lot of rain. While the rain might be a welcome relief for people and plants, it also can create a breeding ground for summer bugs.

Summer bugs are at best a nuisance but at worst can be a danger as they carry diseases that can harm people and pets. If you’re a homeowner in Virginia, you might notice an increase of creepy crawlies in your house. We’ve outlined 5 of the most common summer bugs so you can learn what you’re dealing with and how to protect yourself.

Summer Bugs That Could Invade Your Space

Your home should be a place of respite, but dealing with summer bugs in your house is anything but restful. Pest identification is the first step toward mitigation and prevention, so you’ll need to be familiar with these top five household pests.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are flying insects that have two wings and long legs compared to their bodies. Their bites can cause itchy red bumps on people and pets, but more worryingly, they can also carry serious diseases like malaria and Lyme disease.

To prevent mosquitos, it’s important to eliminate standing water and debris in and around your home. You can also use repellant candles and plants like citronella. Lastly, you can make your home inviting birds who find mosquitos to be a tasty snack.

Roaches

Roaches are a home pest that’s always unwelcome. These brown, flat bugs scuttle across floors, walls, and ceilings and strike fear into the hearts of most homeowners.

While they aren’t necessarily disease carriers, their bodies can be covered in bacteria from garbage and rotten food they like to feed on. Roaches are attracted to food and moisture, so be sure to store food and drink properly.

Spiders

Spiders are eight-legged bugs that like to find their way inside during summer through unnoticed cracks and crevices. Some spiders love cold, dry areas, while others like warm, moist ones. One thing’s for sure, they’re always attracted to food.

Beyond being an unwelcome guest, some spiders are harmless. Others, like the black widow or brown recluse, are venomous, and their bite can cause serious health complications to humans and animals in the home. It’s important to remove any spider webs you find and seal any cracks and gaps you may observe in your home.

Ticks

Ticks are among the worst of the worst bugs in Virginia.

Summer is prime tick season, which is bad news for nature lovers. These tiny, flat arachnids live in tall grass and around trees and shrubbery. They’re also blood-sucking parasites, which means they crawl onto people and pets to burrow into their skin.

If left untreated, a tick bite can cause Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Ticks can also cause alpha-gal, which can cause allergies to red meat. To avoid ticks, it is recommended to use bug spray and wear protective clothing when outside.

Centipedes

Centipedes are many-legged creatures that love dark, humid environments. While not deadly, centipede bites can be painful to humans. They eat silverfish, roaches, spiders, termites, and more, so finding them in your home can be a sign of a bigger problem.

As with most unwelcome pests, the best way to prevent centipedes is to address any moisture issues immediately, eliminate their food source, and seal entryways.

Termites

Termites have light brown to black bodies and can have wings. They swarm in the spring or summer for their food source, cellulose. Termites love wood as it’s full of cellulose and will happily eat through studs, flooring, trim, and even wallpaper.

Termites can cause extensive damage very quickly, so if you notice termites or signs of termites, it’s important to call a professional right away to protect your home.

When to Call Our Virginia Pest Control Experts

If you notice these summer bugs in your home, simple prevention methods might not be enough. If you’re having a difficult time keeping bugs out, or if you find dangerous bugs in your home, then it’s time to call a professional.

Bug Man Exterminating has decades of experience treating Virginia bugs, including ants, roaches, fleas, ticks, bedbugs, centipedes, spiders, termites, and more. We also specialize in green pest control solutions, so you can have peace of mind that your home is treated safely and effectively by trained pest control experts.

If you’re struggling with summer bugs in your home, Bug Man can help. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and estimate.