Spiders in your Washington D.C. home may be a common occurrence, and while most are harmless, they are not always a welcome sight on your property. Understanding why spiders enter your home can help you prevent them more easily. Understanding Area Spiders There are several different types of spiders common to the Washington D.C. area that you may find in your home: Jumping Spiders: Small to medium-sized jumping spiders range in color. They typically hide from humans and move fairly slowly, but they can jump large distances when threatened. This spider type typically doesn’t bite humans ..read more

Pantry Moths are a common pest in Maryland pantries and can be incredibly difficult to remove without professional help. Engaging in moth prevention is the best way to deter this pest from entering your home. What Are Pantry Moths? The Indian meal moth, often called pantry moths, have a characteristic wing pattern once they reach their adult form. The bottom half of their wings are distinctly reddish-brown or bronze-colored with an off-white or grey hint near the body. The larvae of this moth infest stored food products and tend to live and feed there until they reach adulthood. From there, th ..read more

Once fleas enter your home, they can cause serious issues with both your pets and your family. To rid yourself of this annoying pest, ongoing prevention tactics are necessary. The Problems With Fleas  Fleas are a common problem in Washington D.C. homes. It can be hard to detect an infestation at first as this tiny insect is so hard to see, but there are several warning signs you can look out for that indicate fleas are starting to move into your home: You may notice your pets start scratching themselves constantly and always seem to be uncomfortable or itchy. They may also develop red b ..read more

Bed bugs are small but fearsome pests that can easily make their way into your Maryland home when you aren’t looking. It’s important to understand the basics of bed bugs to prevent them properly. What to Know About Bed Bugs Bed bugs may be small, but they bring with them several common misconceptions and a few serious risks to your Maryland home. Many individuals think that bed bugs can only appear in dirty homes, but the truth is that bed bugs infestations can happen to anyone. This pesky insect is adept at hiding out and hitchhiking from place to place either in your clothing or luggage, mea ..read more

Mice are one of the most common home-invading pests to encounter in your Washington D.C. home. It’s important to learn about mice and their habits to prevent a full-blown infestation. Understanding Mice Infestations House mice are one of the most common pests that you may find around your D.C. home and one of the most common mammals in the world. House mice are on the smaller side and typically only grow up to seven inches. They have large ears and tails that are virtually hairless and covered in scales. A mouse’s fur will be light brown or grey with white undertones. Over the years, mice have ..read more

Carpenter ants on your Maryland property can be a major issue when it comes to your home’s structural support and food storage. Understanding how to prevent carpenter ants from entering your property is essential to keeping your home in good shape. Recognizing Carpenter Ants Carpenter ants are one of the more recognizable ant species. They tend to grow between 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch and have three body segments. Each ant will have a pair of wings and a narrow waist and can range in color from dark black and brown to dark red; they may also be a combination of these colors. Carpenter ants are ge ..read more

You can run, you can hide, but you certainly can’t avoid the presence of these bed-loving pests in a residential environment! Parasitic insects like bed bugs are some of the most frustrating pests in Washington, D.C. These pests were almost completely exterminated in the mid-1950s and became nearly extinct in both homes and businesses. Due to ongoing scientific studies and the realization of harmful chemicals in bed bug treatments, elimination methods such as DEET were swiftly abolished. This eventually led to an uptick in bed bug activity and a subsequent boom in population. Today, these bloo ..read more

You’ve heard of beetles, you’ve heard of carpets, but you’ve probably never heard of carpet beetles before! Carpet beetles are an interesting type of pests found in Maryland homes. These tiny insects are now quite common to the area and can be found in a myriad of landscapes, gardens, and home interiors. Classified within the family dermestids, carpet beetles occur in hundreds of various species and types. The most common types of carpet beetles include the varied carpet beetle, the furniture carpet beetle, and the black carpet beetle. Here are some common characteristics shared between t ..read more

Rodents are a typical home and business invading pest. In the Washington D.C. area, home and business owners might have to deal with these rodents: Mice (house mice): Small species between 5 1/7 to 7 inches in length, including their scaly tail Grayish-brown to blackish fur with a lighter colored underbelly Large round ears Pointed nose Rats (roof rat and Norway rat): Roof rats are much larger than mice, between 12 to 16 inches in length, including their tail Are dark brown or black with some gray and a lighter colored underbelly Pointed nose, large ears, and large eyes Roof rats ..read more

What's yellow and white and orange all over? None other than these sneaky insects with a penchant for wooden objects!  Termites are quite possibly the most destructive insects in Washington DC. These creatures consume wood in order to survive, and break down the cellulose found in the grains to feed their Queens and colonies. For the most part, termites choose to keep to themselves. Their quiet demeanors and silent infestation procedures make them extremely difficult to catch by surprise.  Termites can be identified by a few simple characteristics:  Termites have six legs an ..read more