FAQ

Acrobat ants are small and have a segmented body and a distinctive heart-shaped abdomen. They are light-yellowish-brown to black, and their abdomen is usually darker in color than the rest of their body. Acrobat ants got their name from their ability to hold their abdomen up over the rest of their body when disturbed in a circus-like act. These ants also emit a foul odor when threatened.

Acrobat ants are not a significant threat to people or property and are categorized as nuisance pests. While acrobat ants are not dangerous, they do contaminate food and have the potential to strip insulation from around wires causing short circuits or even fires. Also, acrobat ants like to place their nest near water leaks, so if you have an infestation, it could indicate a possible moisture problem in or around your home that needs to be addressed and repaired. Professional moisture control services can make all the difference when it comes to moisture issues!

Acrobat ants are a common species of ant that lives across the country, invading homes and businesses. They are attracted to properties that offer them easy access to food and shelter sources. Things like garbage cans, compost, pet food, and gardens attract acrobat ants. These ants place their nests in damp areas both outside and inside buildings.

Outside, acrobat ants place their nests in tree hollows, in stumps, and fallen trees, under woodpiles or mulch. Their nests are often close to homes and businesses, allowing them to easily find their way inside through spaces in the foundation, spaces around utilities, and gaps around windows and doors. Inside, they place their nests in damp areas or areas that have previously been damaged by water, usually behind walls inside insulation. These ants also like to nest in spaces that were previously occupied by termites or carpenter ants.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to control acrobat ants and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with acrobat ants with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Remove dead trees, limbs, and tree stumps from your yard.
• Store your firewood up off the ground and away from the sides of your house.
• Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and fixtures.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are in good working order and direct water from the outside of your home.
• Seal off spaces around wires and other utilities entering your home.
• Keep basements dry by running dehumidifiers.
• Ventilate crawl spaces.
• Seal up cracks in the foundation.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.

Many people are tempted to try DIY bed bug treatments when they discover bed bugs in their home. These treatments rarely work, and in some instances, they can even make the problem worse. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, we use a proven treatment method that is based on the severity of your bed bug infestation. We’ll recommend a three-week or nine-week treatment course to eliminate your bed bug infestation.

Avoiding bed bugs can be difficult since there is a risk of coming in contact with them whenever you go out in public. Checking through the items you bring into your house can help, but it’s easy to overlook these tiny pests. It’s wise to routinely inspect your house if you’re worried about bed bugs. You can also take advantage of our Quarterly Bed Bug Protection Plan which provides quarterly inspections and treatments if necessary.

The cause of standing water in your crawl spaces can be a leaking pipe, a clogged drain, or an ineffective moisture barrier. It can also be because your crawl space is in a low area, resulting in groundwater inside. When it rains, the water has nowhere to go but up, increasing the water level.

The water level in your crawl spaces usually rises during heavy rain when the crawl space is below ground level. In this case, we might recommend blow-in sand to absorb the groundwater in your crawl spaces. We can also use it to reduce existing standing water, allowing us to install new insulation or a new moisture barrier.

Humidity and standing water in your crawl spaces provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. In addition to these health concerns, it can affect your home’s foundation, furniture, and walls. Various creatures invade homes looking for food and water, so standing water can also cause pest infestations.

The best way to keep cockroaches away is through proper sanitation and exclusion practices. Make sure to store food in sealed containers, thoroughly clean and vacuum areas like your kitchen or pantry regularly, and seal up any potential entry points. Additionally, you can contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today to discuss our preventive services such as regular maintenance treatments.

Cockroaches are nocturnal, so you may not see them during the day. However, you may notice other signs of a cockroach infestation, such as spotting individual roaches, finding droppings or eggs, or noticing an unpleasant musty odor in the house. If you suspect an infestation, contact the professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control right away so we can inspect your property and determine the best course of action.

While there are DIY cockroach control products available, they don’t always work and can be a waste of time and money. Cockroaches are resilient pests, and getting rid of them requires knowledge, experience, and professional-grade tools. Albemarle Termite & Pest Control has years of experience in the industry and can provide you with an effective, customized plan for controlling the cockroaches in your home or business.

While many individuals may think that a crawl space clean-out isn’t worth it, leaving a cluttered, dirty, and poorly insulated crawl space alone may result in serious issues such as moisture build-up, pest infestations, and poor air quality circulation around your home. A crawl space clean-out is recommended to maintain the integrity of your property’s crawl space.

A crawl space clean-out has many benefits, including better air quality and circulation around your property, the prevention or treatment of pest infestations, moisture protection, and renewed insulation for lower energy bills and money saved over time. A professional clean-out service also makes your crawl space safer when work needs to be performed on the property and helps to maintain the overall quality of your property’s crawl space.

Moisture control issues can absolutely attract pests. In fact, they can attract one of the most destructive pests on the planet: termites. Termites love moist wood, which means that moisture in your crawl space or the soil around your foundation can cause these damaging pests to come running. This is why ensuring your crawl space does not have moisture issues is so vital.

Store-bought dehumidifiers are not meant for big jobs like crawl space moisture control. These machines are typically made to pull the moisture out of the air in small spaces like closets, pantries, or a single room. They are not made for large areas or areas that experience extreme humidity, like your crawl space.

The best thing you can do if you have problems with excessive moisture is to rely on a professional moisture control company. Dehumidifying professionals can help you get rid of the moisture issues in your home and protect it from rot, pests, and more.

The team at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control is passionate about providing the highest quality outcomes, which means some amount of prep work is required before our treatment. First, we encourage you to clean out any clutter that may allow pests to hide. Next, we suggest removing all pets from the home and putting away all dishes. After the treatment is complete, we urge you to wash bedsheets on the highest possible heat setting to eliminate any remaining eggs.

Have some questions? Get in touch with Albemarle Termite & Pest Control to discuss customer prep work with a trained professional.

All flea and tick infestations in Elizabeth City look a little different, so it’s not possible to set a removal timeline that applies to all properties. Treatments for your infestation may last longer than you think, or clear up within a short period of time. To get a comprehensive timeline for your home or business, feel free to contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today. We would be happy to advise you on next steps and provide a custom quote immediately.

There are many indications that it is time to update your floor insulation. If the insulation is degrading or falling down into your crawl space, that is a clear sign that it needs to be replaced. Similarly, if rodents or other animals have infested your crawl space and nested in the infestation, you should have our professionals address the infestation and replace the damaged and contaminated insulation. Other signs of poor insulation include higher energy bills, cold drafts, and inconsistent temperatures inside your home.

The best way to know for sure whether it is time to replace your floor insulation is to schedule a crawl space inspection with Albemarle Termite & Pest Control.

In most cases, we use fiberglass-backed insulation with an R-value of 19. The R-value of insulation indicates how effective it is at temperature regulation. This insulation is efficient and will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Our trained professionals will secure the insulation to the floor joists using wire hangers.

We offer a one-year warranty on all mechanical insulation installs. During this time, we will return to your property to address any issues with the insulation, no questions asked. Our professionals will fix the insulation at no additional cost to you.

Albemarle Termite & Pest Control can treat flies, wasps, and hornets in Elizabeth City. We use specialized treatments and species-specific solutions that can resolve recurring issues and defend your property throughout the active season.

For a full list of the products we use for fly and wasp removal, don’t hesitate to reach out to Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today.

As soon as possible! Once you call the professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control or use our online portal, you can get an estimate for our services and book a treatment ASAP. We specialize in emergency situations and aim for fast turnaround times for your convenience and safety. If you need flies, wasps, or hornets gone, we’re the team to call! Contact us today to get started.

At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, we replace old, rusty metal foundation doors with vinyl ones. Vinyl is a durable material that stands up against time and won’t rust. It also offers homeowners various styles that match their unique home’s aesthetic. Other benefits include:

• Vinyl holds up against damage.
• It is lower in cost than other materials.
• Vinyl has high insulation properties.
• Vinyl is a lightweight material.

For more information about vinyl foundation doors, call us now.

Foundation vents offer homeowners peace of mind knowing that air is circulating correctly underneath their homes. Without clean, fresh air circulating throughout the warm summer months, moisture will build up, and metal and wood in your home will become damaged. Water-damaged wood is especially attractive to wood-destroying pests that want to use your home's structural wood as a place to nest or as a food source.

In the winter, the vents can be closed to help maintain your home's heat and prevent pipes from freezing. Properly working vents are vital to keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter!

Regularly scheduling professional home and pest inspections is vital to maintaining your home. A properly maintained home will offer your family peace of mind. It is easy to overlook minor defects in your home’s exterior, but professionals know precisely where and what to look for and the steps to take to correctly repair the damage. Regular home inspections will help you make repairs sooner than later saving you time, money, and sanity!

Areas that experience high humidity in the summer and snow during winter need moisture barriers. North Carolina fits both of these descriptions, making a moisture barrier an essential part of construction in the state. It will keep water from infiltrating your building, reducing the risk of mold growth and eliminating a common attractant for pests.

Crawl space and basement moisture control are essential home services for North Carolina residents. Moisture in these rooms usually comes from rain or groundwater, leaking appliances, and humid air from outside. We can install a moisture barrier to the floors, walls, and ceilings to keep moisture from infiltrating your interior.

While all homes have some moisture, excessive moisture can cause problems. In addition to external factors, showering and cooking can increase moisture in your home. Some signs of excessive moisture include condensation on your windows, mildew in your bathrooms, peeling paint on your walls, and allergy symptoms caused by dust mites.

Moisture issues often occur in crawl spaces and other areas of the home. When you have excess moisture, it can lead to a variety of problems. Too much moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can cause health problems for your family, as well as damage to wooden elements and insulation in your crawl space. Additional water damage can lead to dangerous structural issues for your house. A moisture problem can also attract pests to your house.

Albemarle Termite & Pest Control provides moisture control services to meet our customers’ needs. Our services include dehumidifier system installation and maintenance, vapor barrier installation, and foundation doors and vents, to name a few. We will customize a solution to meet your specific needs. No matter what your moisture control needs are, we have the solution.

Keeping excess moisture out of your crawl space and the rest of your home is important for the safety of your home and the health of your family. If you have had moisture control services performed by Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, it’s wise to take advantage of our maintenance program. Your first year is covered with the initial service. When the year is complete, you have the option to renew the coverage. Our maintenance program includes maintenance of the unit, continuous moisture readings to make sure the moisture is at a safe level, and filter changes.

Mosquitoes bite for one reason: reproduction. Mosquitoes don't actually rely on blood for food. They eat nectar for a steady diet. However, when female mosquitoes need to lay their eggs, they have to have protein to do it. They get this protein from blood. This means only female mosquitoes bite, and only when they're ready to breed.

Mosquitoes are extremely dangerous. They're the most dangerous animals in the world, in fact, because of all the deadly diseases they spread. Fortunately for us in the United States, our mosquitoes do not transmit the most dangerous mosquito-borne illness: malaria. But they can and do spread other dangerous illnesses throughout the nation, like viral encephalitis and West Nile virus.

The professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control specialize in North Carolina’s most serious rodent species, including house mice, roof rats, field mice, and Norway rats. We have nearly 100 years of combined experience in rat and mouse removal and use specific products and traps to eliminate their presence in Elizabeth City.

Ready to get started on a plan that’s right for you? Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a rodent pest control service today.

Yes. Albemarle Termite & Pest Control offers rodent exclusion services under specific circumstances. If your home or business requires rodent sealants or repairs, you can trust our team to brainstorm some sustainable and long-lasting solutions. We offer proposals for service or direct recommendations so you can make an informed decision for your needs. Since we offer instant quotes both online and over the phone, you can get started with rodent exclusion virtually right away.

Call now for details.

Every rodent infestation may look somewhat different depending on your location, environment, or building type. Some rodents require extensive ongoing treatments, while others resolve after just a few weeks of trapping and exclusion. The only way to know for sure is to contact the professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control.

Call now to schedule a visit to your property so we can provide fast-acting services ASAP.

• NC WDIR-100, also called North Carolina Wood-Destroying Insect Report, is a state form used to note the presence or absence of wood-destroying insects as well as conducive conditions that could lead to an infestation.
• North Carolina WDIR-100 is used often during the home buying process and also used for refinancing purposes as well.
• Most lenders require this inspection to be performed before closing on a home purchase or refinance.

Regardless if the mortgage lender requires a Wood-Destroying Insect Report, due to the aggressive nature of subterranean termites and other wood-destroying insects in North Eastern NC and Southeastern VA, it's highly recommended to have this inspection report done prior to home purchase.

Albemarle Termite & Pest Control can treat your property for spiders almost immediately. We can provide you with a quote right away so you can make a more informed decision. Alternatively, you can use our online portal to get an estimate without a full evaluation. We value your time and understand how busy daily life can be, which is why we focus on sending out a technician as quickly as possible.

Call today for more information.

Spiders are extremely prevalent pests here in Elizabeth City, which means keeping their numbers under control requires constant effort and treatment. We may recommend a monthly service if you experience severe spider activity. However, if your sightings are more occasional, we recommend quarterly visits (at least four times per year).

Not sure what treatment frequency may work best for your property? You can schedule an inspection with our seasoned technicians today.

Spider control is often considered an outdoor-only treatment. However, the professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control offer both interior and exterior treatments against arachnids. First, we treat the outside of your home with a specialty product and manual web removal. Then, we can address the inside of your building with spot treatments near critical areas. Just give us a call today to chat about your options.

Being situated where we are in North Carolina and Virginia means we live in a humid subtropical climate. Although termites are active in every state except Alaska, the Eastern subterranean termites that you find in our area particularly thrive in this location. They love moisture and warmth, both of which can be found in abundance for much of the year. If your home isn’t protected from termites, it’s only a matter of time before they find their way onto your property.

The type of termite control treatment that works best for your house might be different from the type that works best somewhere else. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, we understand that different properties have different needs, which is why we offer several options for your termite control treatments. We provide liquid treatments, baiting systems, and new construction treatments so you can get the service you need to protect your property from termites.

Our termite treatment system includes regular monitoring to detect any activity. If activity is found, appropriate measures are taken. Our treatments come with a warranty and periodic inspections. Any service visits during the warranty period are included at no extra cost.

American roaches are a type of insect and are the largest species of household-invading roaches living in the United States. Adults can grow to more than two inches in length. These roaches are a mahogany color, and the area behind their head has a yellow band around it, which looks similar to a figure-eight pattern. These roaches have fully developed wings and are capable of flying. They are often referred to as “water bugs” because of their preference for moist environments. American roaches live a reasonably long life—usually more than a year!

American cockroaches living near people are dangerous pests. They are prolific breeders, and a single female can produce 200-350 offspring in her lifetime, meaning that the introduction of just a few onto your property can create a large-scale infestation in a short time.

American roaches and their excrement trigger allergies and asthma attacks. They also contaminate food, utensils, dishes, and surfaces with their excrement, bacteria, human pathogens, and parasites—all of which can cause people to become very ill. Before getting into your home, they were traveling through unsanitary environments, including garbage piles, drains, and sewers. Their presence inside your home will also cause damage to personal items like clothing, upholstered furniture, papers, and more.

American cockroaches are omnivores, and their diet usually consists of decaying plant and animal matter, although they will eat anything they come across, including non-food items like paper, fabrics, and glue. Properties with plenty of places to forage for food are a big attractant to American roaches.

American roaches have high moisture needs, and if the weather outside becomes too hot and dry, they look to move indoors, seeking a damp, dark environment. They also get in accidentally inside boxes, packages, grocery bags, and potted plants.

American cockroaches live outside in warm moist areas like under mulch, hollow trees, flower beds, logs, landscaping ties, and woodpiles—places that are often close to homes and other buildings. If these roaches decide to move indoors, common entry points include cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows and doors, spaces around air-conditioners, or through drains. They usually inhabit the first floor or basement levels of buildings and live around sinks, bathtubs, and near furnaces or hot water pipes.

American cockroaches are also a regular sight in restaurants, food processing facilities, hospitals, and schools.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate American roaches and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with American roaches with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep American roaches out by sealing cracks and crevices in the foundation and placing weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Store your garbage cans, compost, and woodpiles away from the outside walls of your home.
• Remove fallen trees, leaf piles, and other debris from your yard.
• Keep locking lids on garbage cans and compost bins.
• Dry out basements and reduce the humidity levels in your home by running a dehumidifier.
• Cover drain openings with a mesh screen.
• Pick up uneaten pet food each evening.
• Store any food in the refrigerator or containers with air-tight lids.
• Keep storage areas free of clutter and well-organized.
• Inspect bags, packages, and potted plants for roaches before bringing them inside.

A type of stored product pest, webbing clothes moths are a common invader of homes and are the most common of all the fabric pests. Webbing clothes and moths feed on a variety of natural fibers and animal bi-products. Adult webbing clothes moths are a buff-gold color and have an identifying tuft of reddish-orange scales on the top of their head. Long hairs fringe the edges of their hind wings. From wing tip to wing tip, these moths grow to about ½ of an inch in length. The larvae of the webbing clothes moth are whitish and have a brownish-colored head. These caterpillar-like creatures grow to about ½ of an inch in length.

The best way to get rid of webbing clothes moths and keep them from returning is to get help from the professionals at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control. Our technicians provide safe, effective, and affordable pest control in Elizabeth City. Our family-owned company's top priority is putting customers first and exceeding expectations. Whether you are looking to eliminate pests from your home or business, Albemarle can help.

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with webbing clothes moths with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep outdoor lights turned off when not needed.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Caulk spaces in the exterior walls of your home.
• Store clothing and other fabrics in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, not in cardboard boxes.
• Always wash clothing, blankets, and other fabric items before storing them.
• Regularly dust and vacuum your home.
• Keep storage areas well-organized and free of clutter.

Ants are highly social insects that live throughout the world and are some of the most common pests to invade homes and businesses. Their colonies consist of three main castes: queens, workers, and males. Their ability to work together for the greater good of the colony allows them to thrive in a variety of environments. Ants vary significantly in size, behavior, food preferences, and nesting locations, depending on their specific species. However, all ants have a few physical features in common. Ants are insects and have six legs and three distinct body regions consisting of a head, thorax, and abdomen. Ants also have chewing mouthparts, a pair of bent antennae, and a narrow connection between the thorax and the abdomen. Additionally, the reproductive members of the colony have wings.

The most common ant species to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Acrobat ants
• Fire ants
• Argentine ants
• Little black ants
• Carpenter ants
• Odorous house ants

Most species of ants that live on your property are nuisance pests. Acrobat ants, Argentine ants, odorous house ants, and little black ants are examples of nuisance pests. While not as problematic as other species, nuisance ants should still be eliminated as soon as possible to prevent them from contaminating food and taking over your yard and home.

Examples of dangerous ants that live in our area are the carpenter ants and fire ants. The carpenter ant causes costly structural damage by tunneling through and nesting inside the structural wood of a home or other building. Fire ants are quick to anger and deliver painful stings; the venom they inject triggers allergic reactions in some people. Fire ants are also attracted to electrical equipment and damage things like air conditioners and circuit breakers.

Professional home pest control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with ants in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Use a caulking gun to seal cracks in the foundation of your home or business.
• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on outdoor trash cans and compost bins.
• Eliminate excess moisture in and around your property.
• Repair any holes along your roofline.
• Make sure window and door screens are entirely intact.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home or business.
• Cut back overgrown vegetation from the exterior of your home or business.
• Leave a barrier of stone or rock between any soil, grass, or mulch and the foundation.

While Argentine ants are capable of delivering bites, this behavior is not a big concern for people. Their aggressive behavior is generally towards other ant species. Argentine ants are non-native ants and often drive native species out of the areas they move into.

Although mainly nuisance ants, preventing Argentine ants from taking up residence on your property or in your home is important. They live in large colonies and are difficult to control once they are nesting on your property. Inside homes, they contaminate food and spread bacteria over surfaces.

Additionally, Argentine ants are very attracted to areas of moisture. Having these ants present in or around your home may be an indicator of a moisture issue.

Argentine ants can become a problem in any yard that provides them with easy access to food and shelter. They are scavengers, and while they feed on almost anything, they do prefer sweets and honeydew produced by tiny garden pests like aphids.

Unfortunately, they usually place their nests close to our homes. While they forage for food or to escape dry weather conditions, these ants will move indoors through any small opening they find in exterior walls or the foundation.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate Argentine ants and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from Argentine ants, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees and excess piles of wood from your yard.
• Do not overwater your lawn, garden, or plants.
• Leave a crushed stone barrier between any mulch or soil and the foundation.
• Fix leaky pipes, hoses, and fixtures.
• Make sure gutters are working to direct water away from the outside of your home.
• Caulk any open spaces in foundations and exterior walls.
• Remove any wood from your home or property damaged by water.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep basements and other areas of your home dry.

Asian lady beetles are an insect that typically lives outside in yards and gardens. Properties located near or with fields and wooded areas are most susceptible to Asian lady beetle infestations.

After moving inside to overwinter, Asian lady beetles usually seek out moist areas of a home to invade. These pests like to gather in dark, humid areas like attics, behind walls, voids, above ceilings, and behind the trim of doors and windows.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate Asian lady beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned home pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with Asian lady beetles with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Place covers over vents and chimney openings.
• Seal cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Repair damaged siding and holes along the roofline.
• Cut landscaping plants and other vegetation back away from the exterior of your home.
• If possible, place garden areas a distance away from your home.

Bed bugs get into homes in a variety of ways. They will hitchhike their way inside on secondhand items like furniture, mattresses, and box springs.

Bed bugs live wherever there are people; this means you can come into contact with them almost anywhere. After coming into contact with bed bugs, they will crawl onto your clothing or belongings and into your home.

Bed bugs will also move throughout buildings through walls, wires, and plumbing pipes.

Bed bugs are indoor pests. Their indoor lifestyle allows them to remain active throughout the entire year. You'll find them hiding in sleeping areas, but as an infestation grows, they will move throughout the home, infesting multiple rooms or floors.

Bed bugs hide in the seams of mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture, in cracks in walls and wood furniture, behind hanging clocks and pictures, and inside wall voids behind electric outlets.

People come into contact with bed bugs in almost any public environment. Some common hideouts for bed bugs include hotels, airports, hospitals, schools, dormitories, airports, libraries, movie theaters, and shopping centers.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate bed bugs and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective bed bug control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance: they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with bed bugs with the help of the following prevention tips.

• When at work or school, keep your belongings away from other people's belongings.
• Keep bags, coats, and other belongings up off of the floor of any public place.
• If possible, do not purchase used furniture, mattresses, or bedding for use in your home.
• Always inspect your hotel room for bed bugs before bringing luggage and other belongings inside.
• After returning home from a trip, immediately wash and dry all clothing on the highest heat setting possible.
• Vacuum out and wipe down suitcases before storing them away.
• Launder newly purchased clothing on a high heat cycle.
• Provide bed bugs with minimal spaces to hide out in your home by reducing clutter.
• Never leave piles of dirty laundry on the floor.
• Place bed bug proof covers on mattresses and box springs.

As the name describes, biting pests are those species of pests that have specialized mouthparts that allow them to puncture or bite through the skin of their hosts. Many species of biting pests are also parasitic pests, and they will bite in order to gorge on a blood meal.

Some of the most common types of biting pests we come into contact with regularly include bed bugs, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

• Bed Bugs - Adult bed bugs have flat, oval-shaped bodies that are reddish-brown. They grow to about 1/4 of an inch in length and are wingless. Bed bugs feed on the blood of warm-blooded mammals, and humans are their favorite hosts.
• Fleas - Adult fleas are as tiny as a speck of dirt. They have flat, reddish-brown bodies with six legs; their hind legs are long and powerful, allowing them to move through the fur of their hosts. Fleas feed on a wide variety of mammal hosts, including people.
• Mosquitoes - Mosquitoes are fly-like insects. They have slender bodies, long legs, narrow wings, and extended, tube-like mouthparts (proboscises). The females use their proboscises for feeding on blood, while both males and females use them to feed on plant nectar – their primary source of food.
• Ticks - Ticks have oval-shaped bodies that are flat unless they have recently been fed. After feeding, their bodies swell in a balloon-like manner. Adult ticks are arachnids; they have eight legs and are wingless.

Bed bugs are mainly indoor pests and live wherever there are people. These insects are a common problem in homes, hotels, airports, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, movie theaters, and other public places. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are mainly outdoor pests, although fleas can breed indoors – causing large-scale infestations. Most species of ticks are unable to reproduce indoors and don’t survive for very long inside. Mosquitoes only find their way inside accidentally while searching for food.

Professional home pest control or bed bug control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with biting pests in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• When out in public places, keep all personal belongings away from other people’s things and off the ground.
• Make sure that screens in windows and doors are without rips or tears.
• Remove any area of standing water from your property.
• Change and wash all bedding on a routine basis.
• Regularly bathe and groom your pets.
• Regularly vacuum the floors or your home or business.
• Keep your grass cut short and remove areas of overgrown vegetation.
• With the help of your veterinarian, place all pets on a year-round flea and tick prevention program.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear and directing water away from the outside of your home or business.

A common stored product pest, the black carpet beetle has a varied diet and feeds on almost any product made from animals. Adult black carpet beetles grow to be about 1/8 to 3/16 inches long. Their oval-shaped body is shiny black to dark brown in color and covered in short hairs. Their heads bend down at a slight angle, giving them somewhat of a hunchbacked appearance. These insects have six legs and short antennae.

The larvae of this beetle grow to about ¼ of an inch long. Their body appears segmented and has a carrot-like shape. The larvae have a distinctive tuft of brown hair extending off their backend. Stiff hairs cover their hard body.

1. Black carpet beetles are damaging pests. They have the potential to feed on and chew holes through a variety of personal items, including clothing, rugs, and upholstered furniture. They will also feed on and contaminate dry goods stored in your home.

Black carpet beetles have become a problem in your home because it is offering them suitable places to breed and feed. Adult black carpet beetles often live outside but are attracted to our home’s outdoor lighting fixtures. After entering through spaces around windows and doors, they move throughout our homes, searching for a dark place to lay their eggs.

Black carpet beetles can also be introduced to homes on furniture, rugs, clothing, or other fabric items that have been infested with eggs or larvae. They may also have hitchhiked their way inside in dry goods purchased at a store already infested with their eggs or larvae.

Black carpet beetles live in a variety of locations inside our homes:

• Behind our home’s walls feed on nesting materials from rodents, stinging insects, or dead insects. Kitchens and pantries- feeding on and contaminating dry goods.
• Storage areas like basements, attics, or closets. Females will lay their eggs on fabrics, rugs, leathers, blankets, clothing, or other suitable food sources that have been stored away.
• Your home’s carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Outside in garden areas feeding on plant pollen and nectar.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate black carpet beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with black carpet beetles with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Inspect flowering potted plants for black carpet beetles before bringing them inside.
• Switch out white outdoor light bulbs for yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to black carpet beetles and other insects.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Replace loose or missing window and door screens.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery.
• Dust under furniture and baseboards.

Beneficial pests are pests that feed on and help to control populations of insects. Black widow spiders are one of the few dangerous species of spiders living throughout the United States. You can identify these glossy black spiders by the hourglass-like marking found on their bellies. Some spiders may also have lighter red or white markings on both their abdomen and their back. Like all arachnids, they have eight legs, are wingless, and lack antennae. Black widow spiders have a comb foot which they use to wrap their silk around their prey.

Black widow spiders are dangerous not because they are aggressive but because their venom is strong enough to cause serious health problems in people. Their venom affects the central nervous system of the person bitten. However, with proper medical attention, the symptoms of a black widow spider bite are manageable. If bitten by a black widow spider, immediately seek medical attention.

Black widow spiders are shy, reclusive creatures. Bites usually only occur accidentally. These spiders hide in dark areas, which makes seeing them difficult.

Black widow spiders live mainly outside. It is important to know that these spiders are most active when the weather is above 70 degrees. During periods of cooler weather, these spiders may move inside, seeking the warmer temperatures that our homes provide.

Building their irregular webs at ground level, black widow spiders choose properties that offer them safe, secluded shelter. Outside, they build their webs under stones, shrubs, decks, woodpiles, and outbuildings. Inside homes, black widow spiders hide in quiet locations like basements, crawl spaces, and under furniture.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate black widow spiders and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from black widow spiders, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees, excess woodpiles, and other clutter from your yard where black widow spiders can hide.
• Cut back grass, vegetation, and bushes away from the exterior of your home.
• Seal cracks in the foundation and exterior walls, replace worn screens and place mesh covers over vents to keep black widow spiders out of your home.
• Inside, keep storage areas free of debris and clutter to give spiders fewer places to hide.
• Store all of your items in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids instead of cardboard boxes.

Blow flies are a type of filth flies. Females lay their eggs on carrion, excrement, and other decaying matter. After the eggs hatch, the larvae use the carrion as a food source. These flies look similar to house flies but grow larger in size (1/8th and 5/8th of an inch in length) and have a very metallic appearance. Their coloration varies- blue, green, gold, or black.The blow fly’s worm-like larvae are pale yellow to white in color, are eyeless, and are legless. Their back end is larger and rounder than their tapered head, and they have hook-like mouthparts.

Getting help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate blow flies and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with blow flies with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
• Repair ripped screens.
• Make sure trash cans and compost bins have tight-fitting lids on them.
• Regularly clean out and sanitize trash cans.
• Keep lids on trash cans inside of your home.
• Store food in the fridge or containers with air-tight lids.
• Never leave food out on kitchen counters or tables.
• Clean pet excrement from your yard daily.
• Maintain garden areas picking up fallen fruits and vegetables.

Booklice certainly are annoying pests, but they are not dangerous pests. They are not true lice so they do not feed on the blood of people or animals. Their main source of food is fungi and mold.

Inside our homes, things like rice, cereals, and other dry goods can become contaminated by booklice, especially if they are stored in a humid area. They will also invade other items that also hold moisture, like fabrics and paper.

If booklice are in your home, it is generally because there is an underlying moisture issue. These insects are attracted to areas of high humidity. Things like wallpaper, books, fabrics, upholstered furniture, paintings, and papers hold in moisture. Items that are susceptible to mold and fungi growth are, in turn, susceptible to hungry booklice!

Professional moisture control services can help mitigate any moisture issues you might be facing.

Booklice thrive in high-humidity areas of our homes. They migrate towards areas of moisture. Basements, attics, crawl spaces, cardboard boxes, areas around drains, and kitchens are all common places booklice invade.

How do I get rid of booklice?

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate booklice and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective home pest control services. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with booklice with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Repair leaky pipes and fixtures.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep basements dry.
• Use air-conditioners to lower humidity levels in your home.
• Ventilate crawl spaces.
• Store paper, books, clothing, and fabrics in plastic containers with locking lids, not in cardboard boxes.
• Limit the number of cardboard boxes and excess paperwork you keep in your home.
• Store goods in dry areas of your home.
• Remove dry goods from their original packaging and place them in containers with air-tight lids.

Bottle flies are medium-sized species of flies. They look similar to the common housefly but are slightly larger in size. They have a metallic appearance that varies in color from blue, green, and gold to shiny black. Their eyes are large and reddish-brown, and they have transparent wings.

The larvae of bottle flies are worm-like and have a pale yellow to white color. They have hook-like mouthparts, are eyeless, and the body tapers from the head to the backend.

Bottle flies live mainly outside, gathering in large numbers around breeding sites and sources of food.

These flies also often find their way inside homes and other buildings. Bottle flies enter inside through spaces around windows and doors, torn screens, and holes in exterior walls.

They often enter a structure when there is the presence of dead rodents or other animals behind its walls.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to get rid of bottle flies and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our highly trained technicians work hard to provide affordable, safe, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City, NC. As a local, family-owned pest control company, our top priorities are putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. If you are looking to eliminate pests from your property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Bottle flies pose significant health risks in addition to being a nuisance. Avoid the problems they cause by implementing the following prevention techniques.

• Keep doors and windows closed whenever possible.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Inspect your home’s exterior walls and seal any openings.
• Place covers over vents entering into your home.
• Make sure trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
• If you own pets, clean up their excrement daily.
• Remove trash from your home daily.

Box elder bugs like properties that have box elder trees or other types of seed-bearing trees like ash, maple, and cherry trees. Box elder bugs have specialized “sucking” mouthparts that they use for feeding on the leaves, stems, and fruits of a tree.

Those box elder bugs that have moved inside to overwinter gather together in secluded spots. Attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, and spaces under floors all make great overwintering spots for box elder bugs.

The best way to eliminate box elder bugs and keep them from returning is with a little help from a professional home pest control expert. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians work hard to provide affordable, safe, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. As a family-owned company, we prioritize putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. If you are looking forward to eliminating pests from your property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Box elders can be a nuisance to both you and your property. Avoid problems with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Place covers over vents and chimney openings.
• Seal cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Repair damaged siding and holes along the roofline.
• Seal space around wires and cables entering your home.
• Cut trees back away from the outside of your home.
• If possible, remove or don’t plant box elder trees on your property.
• Plant seed-bearing trees away from the outside of your home.

The brown-banded cockroach is a small species that prefers to live indoors and often invades homes and businesses. Like other species of cockroaches, they are very unwelcome pests. These roaches look similar to the German cockroach, and many misidentify them as such.

Brown-banded cockroaches have brown or tan-colored bodies. They also have two darker bands that create horizontal stripes on their wings that are most noticeable when their wings are at rest.

Brown-banded cockroaches live near people and can negatively affect our health. These pests are dangerous because they spread bacteria, human pathogens, and parasites that can make us ill.

When they invade homes or businesses, the bacteria they carry on their bodies and legs contaminate food and surfaces. Also, their shed skins and excrement trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate brown-banded cockroaches and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Brown recluse spiders are one of the few dangerous spiders that live in the United States. Out in nature and away from people, these predators are beneficial, helping to control the number of nuisance insects.

These spiders range in color from yellowish-gray to dark black, and gray hairs cover their abdomen. Their long, thin legs are darker in color than the rest of their body.

You can identify a brown recluse spider by the “violin-like” pattern on the top of its body. They also have three pairs of eyes uniquely arranged in a semi-circle pattern.

As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders are reclusive creatures that prefer to hide out of sight. They are not aggressive, but when they feel trapped, they respond by biting. Their venom is strong enough to cause health problems in people.

Symptoms from a brown recluse spider bite include fever, problems sleeping, and swelling and tenderness around the bite site. The skin around the bite will ulcerate. The resulting wound is very prone to infection and can take weeks or months to heal. If ever bitten by a brown recluse spider, you should seek medical attention in order to manage the symptoms appropriately.

Like all other species of spiders, brown recluse spiders are predators. They feed on many species of insects and other spiders. Dense vegetation, gardens, tall grasses, and piles of debris attract brown recluse spiders. These spiders live outside but sometimes move into homes and outbuildings through openings they discover while hunting for prey.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate brown recluse spiders and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from brown recluse spiders, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees, logs, excess woodpiles, and other clutter from your yard.
• Cut back grass, vegetation, and bushes away from the exterior of your home.
• Fix entry points that could allow spiders to move into your home.
• Inside, keep storage areas free of debris and clutter where they can hide.
• Store your items in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids instead of cardboard boxes.
• Keep doors to garages and other outbuildings closed whenever possible.

In addition to caves, camel crickets live outside in the damp soil under mulch, rocks, landscaping ties, woodpiles, leaf piles, and other organic debris. They are also found in the soil around drains and sewers and under air conditioners.

Inside, camel crickets move to areas of our homes and businesses that provide them with a damp, dark environment- laundry rooms, basements, crawl spaces, and bathrooms.

Help from an Elizabeth City pest control expert is the best way to eliminate camel crickets and keep them from returning. The highly trained technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control are ready to help. Our family-owned company prioritizes customers first and works hard to exceed expectations. If you are looking for affordable, safe, and effective home pest control solutions, call us today.

You can be proactive and avoid potential problems with camel crickets with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Place a barrier between your home’s foundation and the soil.
• Seal cracks in your home’s foundation or exterior walls.
• Install door sweeps on basement doors.
• Maintain gutters to ensure they are directing rainwater away from the outside of your home.
• Remove standing water from your property.
• Use dehumidifiers or air conditioners in your home to reduce humidity levels.
• Reduce the clutter in basements, closets, and other storage areas to limit hiding spots.
• Store clothing, blankets, and other fabric items in plastic containers with locking lids instead of cardboard boxes.

The carpenter ant is a type of wood-destroying insect and a common household invader. They are a large species of ant, and their nesting habits cause damage to the structural wood in homes that they choose as a nesting site for their colony.

When living in nature and away from our homes, carpenter ants are beneficial, helping to break down older and decaying wood. These ants rarely invade sound wood; instead, they prefer wood that has been previously damaged by water.

The carpenter ant is the largest species of household invading ant in the United States and grows to between ¼ and ½ an inch long. These ants have a segmented, oval body, and workers have large, powerful mandibles they use to chew through wood. Carpenter ants are black, red, or a combination of those colors.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate carpenter ants and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services that are affordable. We are a local home pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with carpenter ants with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep carpenter ants out of your home by caulking openings in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Reduce excess moisture by fix leaking pipes and fixtures both inside and outside your home.
• Cut trees and shrubbery back away from the exterior walls of your house.
• Remove old piles of wood, fallen trees, and trees stumps from your yard.
• Use dehumidifiers to dry out basements and reduce the overall humidity level in your home.
• Remove any wood from your home damaged by water.
• Ventilate crawl spaces.
• Pick up uneaten pet food each evening.

Unable to feed on whole kernels, confused flour beetles focus their attention on things like flour, cereals, cornmeal, seeds, dry pet food, and spices. They often find their way into our homes in products purchased from the store that are already infested with confused flour beetle eggs or their larvae.

Adults may also find their way into your home on their own through spaces around windows and doors after being attracted by outdoor lights.

Getting help from an Elizabeth City pest control expert is the best way to eliminate confused flour beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective pest control services. We are a local, family-owned home pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

These pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and contaminate our food. Avoid problems with confused flour beetles with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Replace white outdoor lights with yellow lights or LED lights that are less attractive to insects.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Replace damaged screens.
• If possible, don’t purchase dry goods from bulk bins.
• Inspect food packaging for rips or tears before purchasing from the store.
• Remove dry goods from their original containers and place them in containers with air-tight lids.
• Regularly wipe out crumbs from pantries and cabinets.

Carpenter bees are a type of wood-destroying pests. These solitary bees are large, and their round, plump bodies make them resemble bumblebees. Adults grow to between 1/2 and 1-1/2 inches. They are mostly black, though some males may have white or yellow faces. The best way to distinguish between carpenter bees and bumblebees is that the abdomen of a bumblebee is covered in hair, while the abdomen of a carpenter bee is shiny and void of hair.

The most significant danger that carpenter bees pose is the structural damage they cause. Females create entry holes about the width of their bodies into pieces of wood, then tunnel through the wood to create nesting galleries – damaging the structure of the wood in the process. This damage can be exacerbated by woodpeckers pecking around the nest entrance to feed on larvae. Like other species of stinging insects, carpenter bees possess venom that is strong enough to trigger allergic reactions in people. It is important to note that male carpenter bees lack a stinger, and female carpenter bees are very docile, making them a bit less of a threat than other stinging insects. However, you should still take caution around carpenter bees and any other stinging insects.

Professional pest control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with carpenter bees in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Fix leaky hoses and clogged gutters to eliminate sources of water for carpenter bees.
• Place metal flashing on the end of boards used to build wooden play structures.
• Varnish, stain, or paint any wood used to build structures on your property.
• Place metal flashing on the end of deck boards.
• Repair any holes along your roofline.
• Limit the amount of flowering vegetation planted on your property.
• Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, and other excess wood from your property.
• If possible, use hardwoods instead of softwoods to build on your home or business.
• Use a caulking gun to repair any cracks or holes in exterior walls, wood trim, and wood shingles.

Common carpet beetles are not described as dangerous, but rather damaging. Females lay their eggs on clothing, blankets, carpets, upholstered furniture, dry goods, or any other appropriate source of food they discover.

Common carpet beetle larvae can use many different things stored within our homes to feed and develop into adults. This makes controlling an infestation without professional help difficult.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate common carpet beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective home pest control services. We are a local, family-owned Elizabeth City pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Common carpet beetles are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with common carpet beetles with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep adult common carpet beetles out of your home by repairing loose screens and sealing cracks in exterior walls and spaces around windows and doors.
• Inspect flowers or other plants that were outside before bringing them inside.
• Store dry goods in glass or plastic containers with airtight lids.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery.
• Store blankets, clothing, and other fabric items in airtight plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes.
• Before storing away clothes, blankets, and other fabric items, make sure to wash them.
• Make sure clothing and bedding in your home are regularly washed.

Cellar spiders are a common invader of homes and other buildings. They live throughout the United States. Their appearance often causes people to confuse cellar spiders with daddy long legs. But daddy long legs, are not true spiders, while cellar spiders are a true species of spider.

Cellar spiders have a small body, cylindrical abdomen, and distinctive long, skinny legs. They range in color from pale yellow, tan, and gray to light brown.

Outside, cellar spiders live and build their loose, irregularly shaped webs in caves, rock piles, woodpiles, and under decks. They are also seen gathering around outdoor lights, which many pests find attractive.

Cellar spiders that have found their way inside take up residence in damp dark areas like basements, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and storage areas. Cellar spiders are those spiders that you see hanging upside down in their webs, waiting for prey to come along.

To get rid of cellar spiders and keep them from returning, your best bet is to get help from a professional pest control expert. The technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control are highly trained and dedicated to exceeding customer expectations. As a local and family-owned business, we can provide safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City at an affordable price. If you want to eliminate cellar spiders or other pests from your property, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

You can avoid problems with cellar spiders and many other nuisance pests with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep storage areas clutter-free and organized.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels in your home low and the basements dry.
• Ventilate crawl spaces.
• Seal entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline of your home.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Replace white outdoor lights with yellow lights or LED lights that are less attractive to insects and spiders.
• Keep outdoor lights off whenever possible.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate centipedes and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health threats and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with centipedes with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Check the foundation of your home and caulk any openings you find.
• Place door sweeps on all exterior doors.
• Cut back overgrown grass or vegetation from your foundation and exterior walls.
• Place a crushed rock or stone barrier between any soil or mulch and your foundation.
• Get rid of excess piles of organic debris from your yard.
• Make sure gutters are clear and directing water away from your foundation.
• Inside, reduce humidity levels by utilizing dehumidifiers or air-conditioners.
• Fix leaky pipes and faucets.
• Place a mesh cover over drain openings.

Reach out to us today for pest control in Elizabeth City that you can rely on!

Despite being a type of stinging insect, cicada killers pose little threats to people. Males do not have a stinger, and while females do, they are very docile and rarely sting people. Still, it is important to be careful around these pests because their venom is strong enough to cause reactions in those allergic to them. Accidentally stepping on one of these ground nesters is one of the main reasons stings occur.

Their “killer” name comes from the fact that females sting cicada bugs and other insects in order to feed their larvae.

Several things attract cicada killer wasps to a property:

• Sandy soil, window boxes, and lawns with bare spots
• A lot of insects activity
• Properties with lots of trees, plants, and landscaping

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate cicada killer wasps and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

\To help protect your North Carolina property from cicada killer wasps, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Make sure your lawn is healthy, dense, and free of bare areas of dirt.
• If bare areas are present in your lawn, seed them.
• Limit the number of flowering trees and plants you have planted on your property.

As their name suggests, cigarette beetles have the potential to be anywhere tobacco and other stored products are kept.

Adults may find their way inside on their own through spaces around windows and doors. Once inside, they lay their eggs in dry goods. After the larva hatch, they begin feeding on the dry goods they were laid on.

They are regularly introduced inside of homes from products purchased from the store that are already infested with their eggs or larvae.

Cigarette beetles prefer temperatures that are over 65 degrees and dark, low-lit areas. They hide out in dark crevices and less traveled areas, making discovering their presence difficult. Their ability to hide out of sight allows infestations to develop and makes eliminating them tricky.

Inside homes, grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, and food processing plants, larvae feed on a variety of things, including grains, dry pasta, seeds, dried fruit, and dry rice. They also infest and feed on the stuffing in upholstered furniture and dried flowers.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate cigarette beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned Elizabeth City pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from cigarette beetles, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

To help prevent adults from moving into your home, seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors. Make sure screens are intact.
Don’t buy dry goods from the store that have holes or tears in the packaging.
Store all your dry goods in airtight containers instead of their original packaging.
Regularly inspect the pantry, getting rid of older or expired items.

A type of plant feeder, clover mites often find their way into homes and other structures. They are tiny mites that are able to move inside through the tiniest of cracks and crevices. These pinhead-sized arachnids have an oval-shaped body that is usually reddish-brown. Depending on their species and diet, clover mites may also be brown, yellow, or green.

Adult clover mite adults have eight legs. Under a microscope, you can see that their front two legs are much larger than the rest of their legs.

Clover mites are landscape pests that use their specialized mouthparts to feed on the juices of clover, grasses, and other lawn plants. Though they can invade outdoor spaces in large numbers, they rarely are able to cause significant damage to grass and landscape plants.

The main concern with clover mites is their ability to move inside of homes and other structures in large numbers. Their tiny size allows them to take advantage of the smallest cracks and crevices in foundations and spaces under exterior doors. Once inside, they are easily crushed and leave behind red stains on floors, carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture.

The best way to avoid problems with clover mites and other pests is to seek the help of a professional pest control expert. The technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control are dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and effective pest control for all sorts of home pest control problems. We can eliminate existing infestations and help you to prevent future invasions. If you are looking forward to a pest-free home, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Keep these and other pests off your property with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Create an 18-20 inch barrier between any soil and your home’s foundation.
• Keep grass cut short and away from your home’s foundation.
• Cut weeds and overgrown vegetation away from your home’s walls.
• Inspect your home’s foundation and exterior walls sealing any openings discovered.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.

The cluster fly is a common household pest. Cluster flies look similar to house flies but are larger and lack their metallic appearance. The adults grow to between ¼ and ½ an inch in length, and their bodies are gray and covered in goldish-yellow hairs. Some of these flies may also have darker black markings on their bodies.

Unlike many species of flies, cluster flies don’t feed on or lay their eggs in decaying matter. They feed on pollen and lay their eggs in earthworms.

Cluster flies can become a problem in houses, barns, garages, and other structures. When the weather is cold, these flies remain hidden behind walls and above ceilings. However, on warm sunny days, it is common for these flies to emerge from their overwintering spots and gather around windows and doors.

In addition to overwintering inside, cluster flies also overwinter outside in underground tunnels created by other insects or behind tree bark.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate cluster flies and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from cluster flies, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Repair torn or loose screens.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Seal up cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Cover vents with wire mesh.
• Repair or replace any loose or missing roof shingles.
• Place a tight-fitting cap on your home’s chimney.
• Repair or replace loose or missing roof shingles and holes along the roofline.

Cockroaches are ancient insects and there are about 70 species living throughout the United States. Their exact coloring varies by species but most are black or reddish-brown. They have flat, oval-shaped bodies, six spiny legs, and two antennae that are the same length or longer than their bodies; some species may also have wings. Cockroaches living outside and away from people are incredibly beneficial, helping to break down decaying organic matter. It is only those cockroaches living near people that are a problem.

The most common species of cockroaches to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• American cockroaches
• Oriental cockroaches
• Brown-banded cockroaches
• Smokey brown cockroaches
• German cockroaches

Professional pest control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with cockroaches in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Inspect boxes, packages, and potted plants for cockroaches before bringing them inside.
• Make sure outdoor trash cans and compost bins have locking lids.
• Dry out basements and crawl spaces using dehumidifiers.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures, and ventilate crawlspaces.
• Replace torn window or door screens.
• Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.
• Do not leave food out in the open on counters or tables.
• Regularly clean out and wipe down the pantry and food storage areas.
• Inspect the exterior of your home or business, fixing any cracks or openings.
• Replace white outdoor light bulbs with yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to insects like cockroaches.

The daddy long legs, leggy appearance makes them seem like they would be a spider, but they are not true spiders, nor are they true insects! Daddy long legs are part of the family Phalangiidae.

Daddy long legs are easily identified by their eight thin, long legs. Their two eyes provide them with very poor vision. Like spiders, daddy longs have two body segments, but they are fused together, creating a single large, oval-shaped body. Daddy long legs have fang-like mouthparts that they use not to inject venom but to hold onto their prey as they feed.

Daddy long legs rest during the day and become active at night hunting for insects. They are not able to produce silk and do not build webs. Outside, they hide on or under trees, rocks, logs, stumps, leaf piles, and overgrown shrubs and bushes. Those that have moved inside usually choose humid, dark, quiet areas to live such as basements, bathrooms, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and garages.

Professional home pest control is a great option when working on getting rid of daddy long legs and other pests. Albemarle Termite & Pest Control technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. Our family-owned pest control company is known for putting customers first and exceeding expectations. If you want to eliminate pests from your property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Avoid problems with daddy long legs with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, and leaf piles from your yard.
• Cut overgrown vegetation away from your home’s exterior.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s exterior walls or foundation.
• Repair torn or loose screens.
• Remove areas of standing water from your property.
• Fix leaky pipes or fixtures.

The drain fly is a small species of fly and is sometimes confused with small moths because of their appearance. Their body is black or gray, and their wings are covered in fuzzy hairs. When at rest, the wings of the drain fly fold over their body in a roof-like manner. In addition to their fuzzy wings, drain flies have an erratic flight pattern, which helps to identify them. Drain flies are weak fliers and are only able to fly short distances.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate drain flies and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company in Elizabeth City whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from drain flies, consider putting into place the following fly prevention measures.

• In your home, repair leaky pipes, faucets, or fixtures.
• Keep tub and sink drains free of debris. 
• Use dehumidifiers to control moisture levels in your home.
• Ventilate crawl spaces to prevent excess moisture.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Make sure the door and window screens are intact.

Drug store beetles are a type of stored pantry pest, they received their name from their habit of feeding on prescription drugs. In addition to prescription drugs, drug store beetles also eat a variety of both food and non-food items, including flour, spices, cereals, dry pet food, books, wool, leather, horns, and museum specimens. They are not picky eaters and will feed on almost anything they come across.

Adult drugstore beetles have an oval body shape and are a brownish-red color. They grow to about 1/8th of an inch in length and have six short legs. Drugstore beetles have a smooth antenna that ends in a three-segmented club. They have striated wing covers covered in longitudinal rows of fine hairs. Drug store beetles have a head that is bent at an angle, giving them somewhat of a humpbacked appearance. Their larvae are small, white grubs and are covered in short hairs.

Drug store beetles feed on and contaminates food sources and damage personal property, making them a damaging and unwelcome pest.

Like other species of stored pantry pests, it is not the adults that cause the damage, but their developing larva. Larva contaminates or causes damage to whatever food source they were placed in. After hatching the larvae feed until it becomes time for them to pupate and emerge as an adult.

The most common way that drug store beetles find their way into your home and become a problem is through infested items purchased from a store. This could mean anything from cereal from the grocery store to a wool blanket from the thrift store.

Adults searching for food sources to lay their eggs can also enter homes through open windows, torn screens, or openings they discover around windows and doors.

Drug store beetles live most successfully in warmer regions or inside heated buildings. Inside, adult drug store beetles rest on walls, window sills, or on pantries and cabinets. Their larvae or eggs live in whatever food source they were placed in.

Because of their varied diets drug store, beetles live in multiple areas of a home (kitchens, pantries, bathrooms, and basements). Besides our homes, drug store beetles live in many places including museums, drug stores, grocery stores, restaurants, and food processing facilities.

Getting help from a professional Elizabeth City pest control expert is the best way to eliminate drug store beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective home pest control services. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with drug store beetles with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Inspect food packaging for holes or rips before purchasing.
• Remove dry goods from their original packaging and place them in glass or plastic containers with air-tight lids.
• Don't mix dry goods from one container to another.
• Rotate dry goods in the pantry, getting rid of old or expired items.
• Wipe away crumbs that develop on the shelves of pantries or kitchen cabinets.
• Store items made of wool, fur, or leather in plastic containers with locking lids, not in cardboard boxes that are easily accessed by drug store beetles.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Repair torn screens.

Earwigs are not dangerous pests though legend has it that they crawl into the ears of sleeping people. The good news is that they do not crawl into the ears of people and pose no physical danger to people.

Earwigs are a type of nuisance and garden pest. Only an extensive infestation of earwigs will cause damage to plants. Earwigs living inside homes will contaminate pantry items such as flour, cereals, and other dry goods with their saliva and excrement, making them inedible.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate earwigs and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health threats and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with earwigs with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Seal up spaces in your exterior walls and foundation.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors, paying particular attention to basement doors.
• Reduce excess moisture in or around your home.
• Cut back overgrown vegetation from the outside of your home to help dry out the soil around your foundation.
• Maintain a crushed rock barrier between any soil and mulch and your foundation.
• Store all dry goods in plastic or glass containers with air-tight containers.
• Inspect items like potted plants and outdoor furniture for earwigs before bringing them inside.

The only “true” species of hornet living in the U.S. is the European hornet. They are large-sized insects with brown bodies, yellow or orangish abdominal stripes, and paler-colored faces. Adults grow to between ¾ to 1 ½ inches in length. Like other species of stinging insects, when living outside and away from people, European hornets are beneficial. They hunt insects to feed their young, which helps to control nuisance insect populations. European hornets also feed on sweet things like tree sap, honeydew, and overripe fruits that have fallen to the ground.

The best way to eliminate European hornets is with help from Albemarle Termite & Pest Control. Our technicians are highly trained and provide safe, effective, and affordable home pest control. Our local, family-owned company puts customers first and works to exceed expectations at every turn. If you are looking to eliminate pests from your property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Avoid problems with European hornets with the help of the following prevention tips.

• If there are fruit trees on your property, pick up fruits that have fallen to the ground.
• Limit the amount of flowering vegetation planted on your property.
• Place gardens away from the outside of your home.
• Remove standing water from your property.
• Replace white outdoor lightbulbs with yellow or LED bulbs, which are less attractive to insects.
• Keep outdoor lights turned off when possible.
• Seal spaces in the exterior walls and foundation of your home.
• Place caps on chimneys.
• Repair openings under roof eaves.

If you are still seeing European hornets, reach out today to get started on our stinging insect control services.

Fabric and paper pests are a group of insects that feed on things containing animal products, cellulose, fungi, or mold. These pests are typically described as destructive and are common invaders in properties, often damaging objects such as books, clothing, papers, rugs, wallpaper, and stored food products.

Some of the most common types of fabric and paper pests we come into contact with regularly in North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Beetles - Black carpet beetles, common carpet beetles, and varied carpet beetles feed on and damage products containing keratin such as animal fur, feathers, silk, wool, human hair, and leather. They also feed on and contaminate cereals, grains, and some synthetic fabrics.
• Booklice - Booklice, also known as barklice, feed on fungi and mold. You’ll often find them in books, on wallpaper, or in cardboard storage boxes stored in areas with high humidity.
• Firebrats & Silverfish - Firebrats and silverfish have specialized enzymes they use to digest cellulose. They feed on and damage things like stored foods, wallpaper, book bindings, and clothing.
• Webbing Clothes Moths -Webbing clothes moths are a common species of fabric pests that feed on and damage fabrics, furs, and feathered items.

Professional pest control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with fabric and paper pests in Elizabeth City, NC and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Remove dry goods from their original packaging and store them inside containers with airtight lids.
• Use a caulking gun to repair any cracks or holes in exterior walls.
• Regularly vacuum and dust your home.
• Ventilate all of your crawlspaces.
• Dry out the basement with the help of a dehumidifier.
• Store all paper and fabric items in a plastic container with tight-fitting lids instead of in cardboard boxes.

Fire ants are extremely dangerous. They will attack any person or animal that comes too close to their nesting mound. Since fire ants attack in a group, they can deliver a large amount of venom to the person or animal they attack. Their venom is strong enough to trigger allergic reactions and, in some people, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Along with the health threats associated with fire ants, they cause damage to farm crops, garden plants, and young plants. They are drawn to electrical equipment and cause damage to air-conditioners, farm equipment, and circuit breakers.

Like other species of ants, fire ants look for properties that offer them suitable food sources and nesting spots. Unfortunately, fire ants prefer to nest in open sunny areas, making residential yards, parks, and athletic fields the perfect places for these dangerous ants. Fire ants are omnivores and have varied diets. Trash cans, gardens, and compost piles all are places where these ants gather food for their colonies.

While fire ants will make their way onto any property on their own, they also sometimes hitchhike their way into a yard in new sod, trees, flowers, and plants purchased from a plant nursery or retail garden store.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate fire ants and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Fire ants are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with fire ants with the help of the following prevention tips. 
• Use a caulking gun to seal spaces in the foundation or exterior walls of your house.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Place tight-fitting lids on outdoor trash cans or compost bins.
• Do not overwater your lawn.
• Place a stone barrier between any soil and your foundation.
• Do not delay seeking help against these dangerous pests. Contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control.

Mainly considered nuisance pests, firebrats pose no significant health risks to people. They also do not bite or sting. However, their presence inside your home should never be dismissed. They will feed on and damage things like upholstery, clothing, book bindings, wallpaper, and envelopes. They also feed on and contaminate pantry items like flour and cereal.

Areas of moisture attract firebrats, and it's important to get professional moisture control if you have moisture issues on your property. They are often found living outside in damp areas near our homes. They hide under things like woodpiles, mulch, and landscaping ties.

These pests often find their way inside while searching for food or while seeking more suitable living conditions. Damp areas around leaky roofs, sinks, or drains attract them to homes and other structures.

They may also be introduced inside of things like cardboard boxes, appliances, and furniture.

Firebrats thrive in very hot temperatures. Inside, they live around ovens, hot water pipes, baseboard heaters, and in attics and crawl spaces.

Their high-temperature requirements make them common pests inside of homes, bakeries, restaurants, and other structures with commercial kitchens.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert in Elizabeth City is the best way to eliminate firebrats and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from firebrats, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Leave a crushed stone barrier between any much or soil and the foundation.
• Seal up cracks and crevices in the foundation of your home.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures in and around your home.
• Install air conditioners to reduce the temperature and humidity levels in your home.
• Make sure to ventilate your crawl spaces adequately.
• Use plastic storage containers with locking lids instead of cardboard boxes to store items in your home.
• Inspect boxes, packages, appliances, and furniture for firebrats before bringing the items into your home. 

If you still see firebrats even with implementing a few prevention techniques, reach out to us at Albemarle for help and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in North Carolina.

Fleas are tiny parasites about the size of a speck of dirt. Their hard body is reddish-brown and wingless. Fleas have powerful back legs they use to jump and wade through the fur of their animal hosts. They have specialized piercing mouthparts used to hold onto their victims and feed on their blood. You can also identify these insects by their whisker-like spines on and near their heads.

Fleas feed on the entire body of an animal host. When feeding on humans, however, they generally only bite around the legs and feet. Their bites leave behind small red spots encircled by a reddish halo.

Fleas are ectoparasites, meaning they live and feed on the outside of their host. Their only source of food is blood from warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Fleas will bite and feed on the blood of people, but we are not their main hosts. These tiny insects can spread some diseases to people and animals. But, the most significant risk associated with fleas is that they are intermediate hosts for parasitic tapeworms and transmit them to both people and animals.

People and animals allergic to flea saliva can also develop flea allergy dermatitis, which causes an intense itching sensation, sometimes leading to a secondary infection. Animals with a large infestation of fleas on them may develop anemia.

Fleas are pests that can become a big problem on any property, whether you own pets like cats or dogs or not. They’ll come onto a property on the backs of wild animals traveling across it or foraging for food on it. Adult fleas or their eggs fall off the body of their animal hosts and onto the ground. The adults will seek out a new host (you, your kids, or pets), and their eggs will hatch into new feeding and breeding adults.

Fleas hitchhike their way inside on used furniture or rugs. They also get in on the backs of rodents or other wild animals that have made their way inside to nest. Fleas are prolific breeders and capable of completing their life cycle indoors, making them difficult pests to control and eliminate.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate fleas and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with fleas with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Vacuum your home often.
• Do not buy used rugs and upholstered furniture for your home.
• Keep grass on your property cut short, and regularly trim back bushes and shrubs.
• Remove food sources from your property that attract wild animals, like bird feeders and open containers of trash.
• Keep rodents and other animals out of your home. Seal up openings in its foundation, exterior walls, and roofline.
• Inspect yourself and your pets for signs of fleas before coming indoors.
• Treat all pets with a year-round flea-preventative product under the guidance of a veterinarian. Also, regularly bathe and groom your pets.

Flies belong to the insect order Diptera, which means “two wings.” Flies are prolific breeders, and an infestation can overtake any residential or commercial property. Most flies are scavengers and help to speed up the process of breaking down decaying matter, which is beneficial. When flies live near people, however, they pose significant health risks.

The most common species of flies to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Blow flies
• Fruit flies
• Cluster flies
• House flies
• Drain flies

Flies are dangerous pests because of the many health risks they create. Most species of flies are filth flies. Filth flies feed on and lays their eggs in things like garbage, carrion, compost, manure, and other moist, decaying organic materials that their larvae will then consume. This lifestyle causes them to come into contact with bacteria and pathogens that spread food poisoning and dysentery. The only species in our area not associated with filth is the cluster fly. Cluster flies feed on plant sap and nectar. Additionally, cluster flies do not lay their eggs on or feed on rotting organic materials. Instead, they lay their eggs on earthworms that their larvae will similarly consume.

Professional home pest control is the best way to eliminate pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective services that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned Elizabeth City pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To eliminate pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with flies in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Inspect all produce for fruit flies before purchasing it from the store or farmer's market.
• Store all food either in containers with airtight lids or inside the refrigerator.
• Place tight-fitting lids on trash cans and compost bins.
• Maintain drains and keep them free of clogs.
• Wash dirty dishes daily.
• Regularly clean up after pets.
• Make sure door and window screens are intact.
• Use a caulking gun to seal cracks in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Make sure outdoor trash cans and compost bins have locking or tight-fitting lids.
• Remove access to water by maintaining gutters, fixing leaky hoses, and filling in low-lying areas on your property.

Fruit flies are a very small species of fly, and adults grow up to about 1/8 of an inch in length. While their large compound eyes are mainly red, they may also be brown or black. Their body is yellowish-brown to brownish-black, and they have translucent wings. Under the right conditions, these prolific breeders can develop from egg to adult in less than eight days.

Adult fruit flies frequent decaying or rotting organic materials to either feed on or lay their eggs on. The rotting material allows fruit flies to pick up and carry a lot of pathogens on their bodies and legs that they then contaminate food and surfaces.

Fruit flies are unwelcome pests that have the potential to spread bacteria that can make people ill. Their presence should be eliminated from any home or business as quickly as possible.

Fruit flies feed and lay their eggs on very ripe or decaying organic matter. Their populations are at their largest during the fall when fruits and vegetables have come to maturity. It is no coincidence that harvest season and peak fruit fly “season” occur around the same time!

Fruit flies looking for food or breeding sites may enter your home through open windows or doors, torn screens, or other openings they discover. They also get into homes on produce purchased from grocery stores or farmer markets already infested with their eggs or larvae.

Compost piles, areas of garbage, and gardens are very attractive to fruit flies, and where you will discover large populations. Those areas are full of the ripe, decaying, or fermenting foods that they love.

You can also find fruit flies inside of homes, restaurants, grocery stores, and other places where food is stored.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate fruit flies and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from fruit flies, consider putting into place the following prevention measures

• Remove trash from your home daily.
• Make sure your outdoor trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
• Maintain your compost piles.
• Clean out and sanitize trash cans.
• Repair any leaky or drippy fixtures and pipes located in your home or business.
• Pick up fallen fruits or vegetables from garden areas.
• Inspect produce at the store for signs of fruit flies before bringing home.
• Store any fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator instead of out on your counters.

Cockroaches are one of the most common insect types, and German roaches are one of the most common cockroach species to invade homes and businesses. These roaches are light brown to tan and have two horizontal dark stripes behind their heads that help to identify them. German cockroaches have wings but do not fly. They are fast movers and scurry out of sight when disturbed. German roaches are very adaptable and have adapted to living near or with people.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to control German roaches and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health threats and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with German roaches with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep roaches from finding their way into your home by sealing any gaps or cracks in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Replace white outdoor lightbulbs with yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to cockroaches and other insects.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures and use dehumidifiers to get rid of excess moisture.
• Make sure outdoor trash cans and compost bins have locking lids.
• Inside your home, store all food, including pet food, in airtight containers or refrigerator.
• Wash dirty dishes, vacuum, and wipe down counters daily.
• Remove trash from your home daily.
• Eliminate clutter from your home where German cockroaches can hide.

Grain weevils are a common stored product pest. They have elongated bodies and are reddish-brown to black in color. These insects infest whole grain or kernel foods. The larvae develop inside wheat, corn, barley, rice, and other whole grains.

A female grain weevil will chew an opening into a whole grain and lay her egg inside- covering the hole back up with a gooey substance she produces. After the larvae emerge from their egg, they begin to feed on the inside of the whole grain. After developing into an adult, they will emerge through a small hole they create in the kernel. Their exit holes are what usually identify a grain weevil infestation.

The most common reason that grain weevils become a problem in homes is to purchase whole grains or other stored products that are already infested with larvae. A grain weevil infestation typically begins at a food storage facility and continues through the packaging process.

Some adult grain weevils will find their way into homes on their own. Many species are attracted to outdoor lights. They find their way inside through cracks in exterior walls or spaces around windows or doors.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate grain weevils and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with grain weevils with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Inspect food packaging for holes or rips before purchasing.
• Remove grains from their original packaging and place them in glass or plastic containers with air-tight lids.
• Rotate dry goods in the pantry, getting rid of old or expired items.
• If possible, avoid purchasing grains from bulk containers at the store.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Repair cracks in exterior walls.
• Replace white outdoor light bulbs with yellow or LED bulbs that are less attractive to insects like grain weevils.

Ground beetles make up the largest group of beetles. As their descriptive name suggests, they live on or in the ground. They are a predatory species of insect and beneficial because they prey on and control nuisance insects.

Ground beetles have an elongated, flattened body with vertical ridges on their wings, and their head is the most narrow part of their body. They have wings with shell-like wing covers and longitudinal grooves on them. Despite not being able to fly, they can move very quickly using their six legs. Most species are black with some metallic, red, or gold markings.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate ground beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from ground beetles, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Leave a stone or crushed rock barrier between any soil or mulch and your home’s foundation.
• Seal up cracks and other openings in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Reduce moisture levels by using dehumidifiers and fixing leaky pipes.
• Keep clutter to a minimum in basement areas.

Large and fast-moving, hobo spiders strike fear in many people. However, the fear is not necessary because hobo spiders are actually a harmless species of spider.

The hobo spider is a member of the funnel-web spider family Agelenidae. They are large spiders with a body that ranges in length from ½ to ? of an inch and a total diameter (including their legs) of 1- 1 ¾ inches. Hobo spiders are light brown in color with pale markings. Like all species of spiders, hobo spiders have eight legs and two body segments, and they lack antennae and wings.

All spiders have venom, but only a few species of spiders have venom strong enough to trigger health problems in people. Hobo spiders are nuisance spiders, meaning they are a spider whose venom is not strong enough to pose a risk to people.

However, care should always be taken around these spiders, and you should never try to handle them. When they feel threatened, they will deliver a mildly painful bite that may leave behind some redness or irritation.

Hobo spiders live on properties that offer them plenty of secluded shelter and lots of insects to feed on. Most of our yards, gardens, and outdoor spaces provide a habitat that hobo spiders can make into their home.

Males of this species are very active from June to October. That is the time of year they search for a mate and also the time of year you are most likely to encounter them- either inside or outside of your home.

Getting help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate hobo spiders and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. We are a local home pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with hobo spiders with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Remove fallen trees and excess piles of wood or other debris that spiders could hide under from your yard and home.
• Make sure window and door screens are intact and place weather-stripping around doors.
• Keep hobo spiders out of your home by sealing cracks and openings in the exterior walls and foundation of your home.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Replace white outdoor lights with yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to spiders and insects.
• Reduce any clutter in basements and crawl spaces.

House flies are one of the most common types of flies that live worldwide. As their name suggests they are common invaders of homes and other structures. Adult house flies have dull gray bodies and four black vertical lines on the top of their bodies. They also have one velvety gold stripe and one velvety silver stripe on their face. Adults grow to between 1/8th and ¼ of an inch in length. They are also known for their large red eyes.

House fly larvae (maggots) have a greasy off-white-colored body and are legless. They are about the same size and shape as a grain of rice. They have a pointed dark-colored head and their body tapers larger toward the head.

House flies are active during the day. You will see them inside homes, congregating indoors on floors, walls, and ceilings in areas close to their food sources- kitchens and pantries. Outside, house flies gather together and fly around our yards and gardens, staying close to their breeding and feeding sites. Overnight house flies rest on walls and other surfaces up off of the ground.

Getting help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate house flies and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective home pest control services. We are a local pest control company in Elizabeth City, NC, whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with house flies with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
• Repair ripped screens.
• Make sure trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins have tight-fitting lids.
• Clean food and other debris out of drains.
• Store food in the fridge or in containers with air-tight lids.
• Never leave food out on kitchen counters or tables.
• Keep kitchen counters and floors clean and free of spilled liquid and food debris.
• Wash dishes daily.
• Clean pet excrement from your yard daily.
• Maintain garden areas, picking up fruits and vegetables that have fallen to the ground.

The house spider is one of the most widely distributed spiders living throughout the world. As its name suggests, it is a species of spider that finds its way into homes and other structures regularly.

Spiders are environmentally beneficial, feeding on your garden and other nuisance insects and helping to control their populations. However, when they move into our homes, they become an unwanted nuisance and you may want to get rid of house spiders. House spiders are a yellowish-brown color with an off-white abdomen. They have chevron-like markings on their body and legs. Like all arachnids, house spiders have eight legs and two body segments.

Our gardens and landscaping offer plenty of places for insects to live, feed, and breed—spiders feed on insects. If you have large populations of insects living in your yard, you will, in turn, have large populations of spiders preying on those insects.

While hunting insects near the exterior of your home, spiders will sometimes find their way inside, following their prey. Spiders and insects get into homes and other buildings through cracks in exterior walls and foundations, along with utilities, and through spaces around windows, doors, and air-conditioning units.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate house spiders and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable solutions today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with house spiders with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Seal up cracks and crevices found in the foundation and exterior walls around your house, as well as spaces around air conditioners.
• Replace white outdoor lightbulbs with yellow or LED light bulbs, which are less attractive to insects.
• Repair holes under roof eaves.
• Maintain your yard. Keep the grass short and shrubbery from overgrowing.
• Make sure storage areas in your house are neat, organized, and free of clutter.
• Remove spider webs from your home; the spiders become annoyed and move on.
• Keep your garage and shed windows and doors closed when not in use.

Adult Indian meal moths mainly live outside. They are most active at night and are drawn to homes and other structures by outdoor lighting fixtures. They will sometimes find their way inside through torn screens, spaces in exterior walls, and gaps around windows and doors.

Indian meal moth eggs and larvae live in and feed on a variety of stored products, including cornmeal, grains, cereals, seeds, chocolate, birdseed, and dry pet food.

The best and safest way to get rid of pests of any kind is with the help of a professional home pest control expert. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our highly trained technicians are dedicated to exceeding your expectations with safe, affordable, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. Our local company prides itself on putting customers first. Whether you need prevention, elimination, or both, Albemarle Termite & Pest Control is here to help; call today!

As with many things, the best protection from Indian meal moths is prevention. Avoid contamination risks with the following prevention tips.

• Make sure to wipe down counters and vacuum floors regularly.
• Before purchasing dry goods from the store, inspect the packaging for holes or tears.
• If possible, avoid buying dry goods or pet food from bulk bins.
• Remove dry goods from their original packaging and place them inside air-tight containers to store.
• Keep pantry areas organized, remove crumbs, and get rid of expired items.
• Replace torn screens and place weather stripping around windows and doors.
• Switch white outdoor light bulbs with yellow or LED bulbs, which are less attractive to Indian meal moths and other insects.

Jumping spiders live outside in tall grasses, dense landscaping plants, and on trees behind areas of loose bark. These spiders build webs to hide, rest, and place their eggs in, but not to catch prey with these webs. Jumping spiders are active during the day, hunting insects and other spiders.

Those jumping spiders that have found their way inside of homes hide under furniture, in the cracks of floors, behind window and door trim, and between books or boxes.

Getting help from a professional home pest control expert is really the best way to eliminate all kinds of pests, including jumping spiders. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to putting customers first and exceeding expectations. As a local business, we work hard to provide safe, affordable, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. Call today to find out more about our services.

By following these prevention tips, you may be able to avoid issues with jumping spiders as well as other nuisance pests.

• Cut shrubs and bushes back away from the exterior of your home.
• Leave a barrier between any grass and the foundation of your home.
• Get rid of leaf piles, grass piles, and excess piles of wood from your yard.
• Seal cracks in the foundation of your home to keep wandering, jumping spiders out of your home.
• Inspect packages and potted plants for jumping spiders before bringing them inside.
• Dust and vacuum underneath furniture regularly.
• Keep clutter to a minimum in storage areas of your home.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to control little black ants and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with little black ants with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Help to keep little black ants out by sealing cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your house.
• Cut tree limbs and overgrown shrubbery back from the exterior of your home.
• Place outdoor trash cans and compost bins up off of the ground and away from the sides of your house.
• Maintain a stone barrier between any soil or grass and your foundation.
• Keep tight-fitting lids on all trash cans and compost bins.
• Outdoor eating areas need to be kept free of food debris.

Mice are small rodents, and one of the most common species that home and business owners must deal with is the house mouse. From head to tail, adults grow to between 5 ½ and 7 inches in length. Their body has gray, brown, or black fur, and their belly is a lighter tan color. They have large ears, a pointed nose, and a long skinny tail covered in a light layer of velvety fur.

House mice are prolific breeders. Their gestation period is only three weeks, and they have up to five pups per litter. Their ability to breed quickly makes them difficult pests to control.

Controlling mice and preventing them from finding their way into your home is essential. They contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva, excrement, and urine. Mice spread bacteria and human pathogens that make people ill. Also, many people are allergic to their shed fur and feces.
When they get into your home or other building, these small rodents are responsible for damaging structures as well as personal property. All rodents have front incisors that continuously grow. To prevent their teeth from overgrowing, they chew on anything they come across. Inside a home or other structure, their chewing habits are incredibly damaging.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control mice and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with mice with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Check your exterior walls and foundation for openings and use caulk to seal them up.
• Keep your garage and shed windows and doors closed when not in use.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home.
• Seal spaces around air-conditioners.
• Clean up piles of wood, leaves, and other organic debris from your yard where mice can hide.
• Trim back shrubs and trees from the exterior of your home.
• Store trash cans up off of the ground and away from the outside of your house.
• Put locking lids on trash cans and compost bins.
• Remove bird feeders from your property.

Professional home pest control experts are key in controlling nuisance pests like the millipede and, just as importantly, keeping them from returning. The highly trained technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control are dedicated to exceeding your expectations and providing safe, affordable, and effective pest control in Elizabeth City for a range of common pests. If you are looking to control millipedes or other pests from your property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Stop problems before they start by avoiding millipedes with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Keep the soil around the foundation of your home as dry as possible.
• Cut bushes, shrubs, and other landscaping plants away from the exterior of your home.
• Make sure gutters are working to direct rainwater from the outside of your home.
• Remove piles of leaves, grass, tree limbs, and other debris from your property.
• Keep garbage cans, compost bins, and wood piles up off of the ground and away from the outside of your home.
• Seal cracks in the foundation and place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep your basement dry.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.

In addition to being a dangerous pest, mosquitoes are a huge annoyance and have the ability to swarm yards and drive people inside. Mosquitoes deliver painful, itchy bites and make trying to spend time in your backyard seem impossible. 

Mosquitoes feed on the blood of many different hosts. They can carry and transmit a variety of serious diseases, including the West Nile virus. They can also transmit diseases to our pets and infect our dogs with potentially fatal parasitic heartworms. While not all mosquitoes carry diseases, many do, and limiting your exposure to them is essential.

Mosquitoes are seen in large numbers flying around breeding sites. Marshes, ponds, drainage ditches, buckets, pools, birdbaths, and any other place where water collects act as breeding sites for mosquitoes.

During the heat of the day, mosquitoes rest in overgrown vegetation, tall grasses, under trees, and along fence lines. When the weather is at its coolest (dawn and dusk), mosquitoes become very active, and when you are most likely to experience mosquito bites.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to control mosquitoes and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today for help with mosquitoes and to learn more about our mosquito control services.

To help protect your North Carolina property from mosquitoes, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Get rid of standing water from your property. Fill any low-lying areas in your yard and driveway.
• Maintain gutters and downspouts to stop water from pooling in them.
• If you own a pool, make sure it is properly maintained.
• Store any buckets and other containers that collect water upside down or inside when not in use.
• Keep grass cut short and cut back overgrown vegetation and trees from the exterior of your house.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.

The mud dauber is a large solitary stinging insect. Most adults grow to between ½ and one inches in length, but some adults grow up to two inches in length! As their name describes, they create their nests out of mud and other materials.

Adult mud daubers have a narrow waist with a distinctive thread-like segment between their thorax and abdomen- giving them the appearance of having a “stretched” waist. Their long thin wings are either dark or clear. Mud daubers are usually black in color with some pale or yellowish markings; some may have a metallic sheen.

Though mud daubers are not overly aggressive and don’t guard their nests like other stinging insects, care should still be taken around them. If a sting does occur, their venom is strong enough to trigger a reaction in those allergic. Also, mud daubers have smooth stingers and are therefore able to deliver repeated painful and venom-filled stings.

When living outside and away from people, mud daubers are beneficial. They capture a variety of insects as food for themselves and their developing young, including feeding on black widow spiders- helping to control their populations.

The best way to control mud daubers and keep them from returning is with the help of a professional. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and ready to provide safe, effective, and affordable pest control in Elizabeth City, NC. Our local pest control company puts our customers first and works to exceed expectations. If you are looking to control pests in your home or business, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Mud daubers are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks. Avoid future problems with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Eliminate water sources by fixing leaky pipes and fixtures.
• Remove standing water from your property.
• Place caps on chimneys and fix holes along rooflines.
• Replace damaged screens.
• Limit the number of flowering plants on your property, especially next to your home.
• Cut overgrown vegetation back away from the outside of your home.
• Keep the doors and windows of garages and other outbuildings closed whenever possible.

Large, heavy-bodied rodents, Norway rats are common invaders of our residential and commercial properties. Adults grow up to 9 ½ inches in length. Their scaley tail is shorter than the combined length of their head and body. The tail adds about six to eight inches to their total body length. Norway rats have brown fur with black hairs scattered throughout it, covering the top of their body; lighter fur covers their belly. A blunt nose, small ears, and black protruding eyes round out their physical features.

Belonging to the order Rodentia means that Norway rats and all other rodents have front incisors that continuously grow throughout their lifetime. In order to stop their large front teeth from overgrowing, they constantly gnaw on objects they come across, causing significant damage to things in or around our homes.

The ability to spread disease, contaminate food, and damage property makes Norway rats a dangerous pest. As Norway rats move about your home, they will contaminate the food they come across and surfaces they come into contact with- spreading bacteria and other pathogens that make people ill.

When living inside homes or other structures, Norway rats are able to cause a lot of damage by chewing on:

• Wires
• Pipes
• Drywall and insulation
• Floors
• Furniture
• Clothing, pictures, and other personal items.

Rats are nocturnal, colorblind, and in general, have poor eyesight. To help them find their way from their nest to food sources, they follow the same path each day. This habit causes them to leave grease marks on walls and furniture as they travel.

Like many species of rodents, over time, Norway rats have come to rely on people for some of their food and shelter needs. Properties with open trash cans, gardens, compost areas, bird feeders, and pet food have the potential to attract foraging Norway rats.

Most of the year, Norway rats live outside. However, when food sources become few and far between, usually in the late fall, they move inside looking for food. It is important to note that despite their large body size, Norway rats only need a space half an inch in diameter to enter inside a home or other building!

Norway rats live outside, nesting in fields, farmlands, gardens, garbage piles, along riverbanks, and under concrete slabs.

If they decide to move inside to search for food or to escape harsh weather conditions, Norway rats nest in the basement, crawl spaces, and behind walls voids. They usually stay at or close to ground level.

Acquiring help from a professional Elizabeth City pest control expert is the best way to control Norway rats and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services that are affordable. We are a local home pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Some pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of greatly damaging property. Avoid problems with Norway rats with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Repair cracks and crevices found in your home’s foundation and exterior walls.
• Use steel wool to seal spaces around utilities (pipes, wire, and ducts).
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Place wood piles away from the outside of your home.
• Remove overgrown vegetation that has grown close to your home’s exterior walls.
• Fill in ground holes along your home’s foundation.
• Keep tight-fitting lids on trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard.
• Pick-up uneaten pet food.

Odorous house ants love to feed on honeydew—a sweet, sticky liquid produced by aphids and other garden pests. Properties with gardens attract odorous house ants. They also forage food in open trash cans, compost bins, and bowls of pet food.

While out foraging for food, these ants often find their way into homes through cracks and crevices in the foundation, spaces under doors, or along wires and pipes entering a house. Odorous house ants may also move inside when the weather becomes too hot and dry for them to live comfortably.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to control odorous house ants and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with odorous house ants with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Seal up openings in your foundation and the exterior walls of your house.
• Seal off spaces around utilities (pipes, wire, and ducts).
• Use a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels in your home low.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.
• Trim back tree branches away from your home’s exterior walls.
• Clean up fruits and vegetables that fall to the ground in garden areas.
• Place tight-fitting lids on all trash cans and compost bins.

Old house borers are wood-boring insects. The females lay their eggs in the cracks or crevices of wooden logs and rough lumber. After the larvae hatch, they begin to tunnel through the wood, using it as a food source. An old house borer infestation is often discovered because of the clicking sounds the larva make as they feed.

Adults grow to be about 1/2'” to ¾” long. They have long antennae and are black to gray in color. Patches of hair cover their wings covers and thorax. Old house borer larvae grow to about 1 ¼ inches, and the body tapers toward the backend. They are whitish and have three dark eyes on each side of the head.

The only good news when it comes to old house borers is they aren’t known to spread disease and pose no direct risks to people. However, these pests are very damaging to the structures of our homes. Typically an infestation is only discovered once the larvae are already eating through wood structures, causing damage.

To emerge from a piece of wood, the adults create holes in the exterior of a piece of wood that is about 1/4 of an inch in diameter which causes even more damage.

The most common reason for an old house borer infestation is that the timbers used in the original construction of your home were infested with eggs or larvae. Old house borers prefer thicker timbers, and the infestation tends to stay in localized areas. Old house borer infestations only spread throughout a home if there is a moisture problem, as they move towards water-damaged pieces of wood located throughout your home.

Moisture control from a reputable company can help mitigate any moisture problems you have.

Keep your home in pristine condition and avoid problems with old house borers with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Make sure that lumber used within your home has been kiln-dried to kill any stage of old house borer that could be living inside of it.
• Any wood in or on your home should be sanded and stained or painted.
• Repair leaky pipes or fixtures located within your home that could cause wood to become damaged by water.
• Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels in your home.
• Maintain heating and air-conditioning units to prevent moisture issues within your home.

Oriental beetles are very mobile and take advantage of outdoor spaces that provide them with suitable food sources and places to lay their eggs. Properties with a lot of gardens and grass, like yards, golf courses, and parks, are prone to oriental beetle infestations.

The best way to control oriental beetles and keep them from returning is by getting help from a professional pest control expert. The highly trained technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control are dedicated to providing you with safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City, NC. We are a local company that works to put customers first and keep prices affordable. If you want to get rid of pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

You can avoid problems with oriental beetles by not overwatering lawns and gardens. It is also important to partner with a home pest control professional so existing infestations can be properly identified and treated. For help controlling oriental beetles on your property, reach out to Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today.

Oriental cockroaches are often referred to as “waterbugs” even though they do not live in water; it is because they prefer to live in very damp areas. These roaches have smooth, shiny black bodies. Males have wings that are more developed than females, but this species is not capable of flight. They are a larger species of cockroach with adults growing to about one inch in length.

Oriental cockroaches are not aggressive, but they do pose risks to people. They live and travel in sewers, drains, dumpsters, and bathrooms, where they pick up and spread a variety of human pathogens, bacteria, and parasites on their legs and body. Inside homes and other structures, roaches will contaminate food, utensils, dishes, and surfaces. The bacteria they spread can cause fevers, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Also, these and other species of cockroaches shed their skins and leave piles of excrement behind, triggering allergies and asthma attacks; this is especially true in young children.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control oriental cockroaches and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from Oriental cockroaches, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Seal up entry points in your foundation and exterior walls.
• Leave a barrier between soil or mulch and your home’s foundation.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures in and around your house.
• Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels inside.
• Keep tight-fitting lids on trash cans and compost bins.
• Keep outdoor eating and grill areas free of food debris.
• Pick up any uneaten pet food.

Pantry pests are those insects that contaminate stored food and food products. An infestation of pantry pests is a common occurrence – especially in homes, restaurants, grocery stores, and food processing facilities. Pantry pests typically have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. The female lays her eggs in or on stored food. The larvae begin feeding on the food once they hatch, contaminating it with their saliva and excrement. The larval stage is the stage responsible for most of the food contamination. However, the presence of adults is what usually alerts homeowners to an infestation.

The most common species of pantry pests to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Cigarette beetles
• Drug store beetles
• Confused flour beetles
• Grain and rice weevils

A pantry pest infestation usually originates at a food processing plant, warehouse, or grocery store. The most common way that pantry pests enter homes is inside infested food product packages purchased at the store. Additionally, a pantry pest infestation may occur after adults find their way onto your property, are lured by outdoor lighting, and move inside through spaces around windows and doors or torn screens.

Professional pest control in Elizabeth City is the best way to control pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To control pests from your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with pantry pests in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Always check the expiration dates before purchasing dry goods from a store.
• Avoid buying dry goods like spices, nuts, flour, and birdseed in bulk.
• Never purchase food with rips or tears in its packaging.
• Replace torn window or door screens.
• Install weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Regularly inspect your pantry and get rid of older or expired items.
• Use yellow or LED outdoor light bulbs that are less attractive to insects.
• After purchasing dry goods, remove them from their original packing and store them in containers with airtight lids.

Paper wasps are a type of stinging insect that live together in small to medium-sized colonies—named from their upside-down, umbrella-shaped nests that look like they are made from a paper-like material. Paper wasps make their nests from a mixture of bark, other plant materials, and saliva.

Paper wasps have a pinched waist and 6 thin legs that dangle below their body when in flight. Their bodies are black or brown with yellow, reddish, or orange markings. Paper wasps are large wasps with adults growing to between ½ and ¾ of an inch in length.

Paper wasps have a venom-filled stinger located at the end of the abdomen. They use their stinger to paralyze predators and to defend themselves from danger.

The venom these, and most stinging insects, possess is strong enough to cause a reaction in those who are allergic. In the case of a severe allergy or group attack, anaphylaxis may occur. Though paper wasps are not as aggressive as some other species of stinging insects, care should always be taken around them and their nesting sites.

Additionally, paper wasps may cause damage to trees and woody plants after stripping off their bark to create their nests.

In general, the late summer and fall seasons are when people have the most problems with paper wasps. Summer and fall are when their colony size is at its largest, and workers are out and about searching for food to feed everyone back at the nest.

Paper wasps are outdoor pests; they have the potential to build a nest in almost any outdoor space. They are especially attracted to properties where they have easy access to food (insects and pollen) and water.

Paper wasps are most active during the day, flying around and foraging for food. They rest during the evening and overnight hours.

Paper wasps build their nests outside in protected areas like on tree branches, dense vegetation, door frames, and under roof eaves or decks. Sometimes they will take advantage of an opening in a home’s exterior and build their nest in an attic space or chimney.

The safest way to rid your property of paper wasps or other stinging insects is with the help of a professional pest control expert. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe, effective, and affordable pest control services in Elizabeth City, NC. As a local business, we pride ourselves on putting customers first and exceeding expectations. If you want to rid your property of pests and ensure they don't return, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Paper wasps can be an intimidating presence on your property. Avoid problems and painful stings with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Trim tree branches away from the outside of your home.
• Keep shrubs and bushes well-trimmed to prevent their overgrowth.
• Reduce the amount of flowering vegetation planted on your property, especially next to the outside of your home.
• Maintain garden areas.
• Remove areas of standing water from your property.
• Keep wasps out of your home by placing weather stripping around windows and doors, placing caps on chimneys, sealing cracks in exterior walls, and repairing damaged screens.

Living in large colonies of more than 10,000 individuals, pavement ants are common invaders of homes and other structures. They are a small, unassuming species of ant that can take over properties in large numbers. Multiple nesting sites make these ants difficult to control and eliminate. Pavement ants are brown to black, and workers grow between 1/16 to ? inch. Similar to other species of ants, the reproductive (fertile males and queens) are larger in size than the workers and the only members of the colony to have wings.

Pavement ants are a species of ant that is mostly categorized as nuisance pests. They cause no real problems for people or our property. However, this is not to say that we should welcome these ants into our lives with open arms. Pavement ants do carry bacteria on their bodies and legs that will contaminate the surfaces of our homes. These ants will also contaminate the food we have stored inside our homes. Once pavement ants have invaded your home or property, they are difficult to get rid of. The best way to get rid of ants is to contact a professional as soon as you discover their presence!

Nesting in the soil, pavement ants live outside in a variety of areas including, as their name suggests, cracks in the pavement, sidewalks, or driveways. They also like to nest in the soil next to foundations or ground-level masonry walls. These small black ants are often seen traveling on our sidewalks, walkways, decks, and around our yards as they forage for food.

Pavement ants that have moved inside to nest like to place their nests in dark, out-of-the-way areas. Spaces behind wall voids, crawl spaces, or under floors are common nesting sites.

The best way to control nuisance pests like pavement ants, and make sure they don't return, is with the help of a professional pest control expert. The trained technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control are dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and effective pest control solutions in Elizabeth City. Our local pest control company prioritizes putting customers first and exceeding expectations. If you want to control pests and make sure they don't return, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Keep pavement ants off your property in the first place with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Seal cracks in sidewalks or driveways.
• Repair cracks and other openings in the foundation or exterior walls of your home.
• Repair damaged screens and place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Leave a barrier between any soil and your home’s foundation.
• Keep locking lids on trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins. Store them a distance away from the outside of your home.
• Vacuum floors, wipe down counters, and wash dishes regularly.
• Place all food in the refrigerator or containers with air-tight lids. Never leave food out in the open on counters or tables.

Despite powderpost beetles being second only to termites in the amount of damage they can cause to wooden structures, they are a pest that many are not familiar with. The powderpost beetle’s feeding habits allow them to reduce large pieces of wood to fine powder. Adult powderpost beetles have slender bodies that are reddish-brown to black. Larvae are white or cream-colored, and their body forms a “c” shape.

The most common way that people identify a powderpost beetles infestation is not by the insects themselves but rather by the results of their work. When feeding these beetles leave piles of fine dust outside of the exit holes they create in pieces of wood they are feeding on.

Powderpost beetles are not directly dangerous to people, but they can cause extensive damage to wooden structures located in and around our homes. The larval stage is the stage of development that causes damage. Females lay eggs on the surface of cracks in the wood. After hatching, the larvae move deeper into the piece of wood. There they begin feeding until they develop into an adult- a process that sometimes can take four or five years! The damage that powderpost beetles cause has the potential to become costly and extensive to repair.

At Albemarle, we offer wood boring beetle control services to help with these costly pests. Reach out to us today to learn more!

In most cases, powderpost beetles find their way inside homes inside of a piece of wood or wooden structure that is already infested with eggs or larvae. After the larvae emerge as adults, they mate and lay more eggs. Females often choose the same piece of wood they emerged from, causing more and more damage with each generation.

Adults mainly live outside, at times entering homes. Outdoor lighting fixtures attract them, and they will gather on the exterior walls of homes and other buildings. They move inside through spaces in walls or openings around windows and doors.

Powderpost beetle larvae live inside of and feed on pieces of:

• Seasoned hardwoods
• Flooring
• Furniture
• Structural wood
• Wooden trim
• Picture frames
• Wooden antiques
• Wooden paneling

Getting help from a professional home pest control expert is a great way to eliminate powderpost beetles and keep them from returning.

At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe, affordable, and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City. We put our customers first and continuously exceed expectations. Home or business owners looking to eliminate pests once and for all should call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Avoid the damage powderpost beetles cause with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Seal cracks and crevices found in your home’s foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Make sure any wood you use in your home for building projects has been properly dried and stored before purchasing.
• Inspect wooden furniture or antiques before bringing them into your home.
• Limit the use of old barn wood inside your home.
• Paint or stain exposed bare wood in your home and on your property.
• Use dehumidifiers in your home to reduce humidity levels.

Named because they were first discovered feeding on and damaging whole grain rice, rice weevils are a type of stored product pest. Adult rice weevils are very small, about 1/10 of an inch in length. They have an elongated head that forms a distinctive “snout” which helps to identify this species. Rice weevils have an elongated oval-shaped body that is reddish-brown to black with round pits on the thorax. They have four yellow or red spots on the corners of their forewings and are strong flyers. Rice weevil larvae are legless, fat, grub-like creatures. They have a soft cream-colored body and a dark head capsule.

As with most species of stored product pests, it is the larval stage that feeds on the products they have infested. The female chews a hole into the grain where she lays her egg and then seals the hole with a substance she produces. After hatching, the larvae feed on the grains until they develop into and emerge as adults.

Getting help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control rice weevils and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with rice weevils with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Inspect food packaging for holes or rips before purchasing.
• Remove grains from their original packaging and place them in glass or plastic containers with air-tight lids.
• Rotate dry goods in the pantry, getting rid of old or expired items.
• Never mix partial containers of grains together, as this could spread an infestation.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Repair torn screens.
• Replace white outdoor light bulbs with yellow or LED bulbs that are less attractive to insects.

Rodents live worldwide, usually close to people, and makeup one of the largest groups of mammals; in fact, most non-flying mammals are rodents. All rodents have front teeth that continuously grow. To prevent these teeth from overgrowing, they chew on anything they come across to help wear them down. Rodents are also prolific breeders and can quickly take over any property that they have decided to nest in. Mice, rats, porcupines, chipmunks, squirrels, and beavers are all examples of rodents.

The most common species of rodents to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats.

• House Mice - House mice are light brown to gray with cream-colored underbellies. They have pointed noses, large ears, and long tails covered in a light layer of velvety fur. House mice are capable of finding their way inside a building through a hole the diameter of a pencil!
• Norway Rats - Norway rats have dense, heavy bodies with shaggy fur that is brown or gray and scaly tails that are void of hair. These rodents are not great climbers.
• Roof Rats - Roof rats are very agile, and their thin bodies allow them to climb structures easily. Their bodies are covered in dark brown or black fur with gray hairs scattered throughout, and their underbellies are lighter in color.

Professional pest control is the best way to control pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our home pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a localpest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To control pests in your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with rodents in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Cut back overgrown vegetation and tree branches away from the exterior of your home or business.
• Pick up fruits and vegetables that fall to the ground in garden areas.
• Repair any missing or broken roof shingles.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard.
• Keep all of your grass cut short.
• Place tight-fitting caps on the chimney.
• Inspect the exterior of your property, fixing any cracks or openings.

Their athletic abilities make roof rats acrobats of the rat world. Roof rats have a thin body and light build, which allows them to climb easily and have good agility. From nose to tail, these rats grow from between 12 and 16 inches in length. The roof rat’s body is covered in dark brown to black fur and has gray hairs sprinkled throughout it. The fur on their underbelly is lighter in color than the rest of their body. Additional physical features of the roof rat are a pointed nose, large ears, and a scaly tail that is void of hair.

Roof rats pose health risks to people, contaminate food, and cause damage to structures and personal property, making them dangerous pests.

Being a type of rodent means that roof rats have front incisors that continuously grow. Chewing on food and non-food items helps roof rats to keep their teeth from overgrowing. When nesting inside of a home or business, their chewing habits lead to electrical shorts, fires, and structural damage.

Roof rats also contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva, urine, and excrement. They spread things like salmonellosis and rat-bite fever, and other pathogens, which can make people quite ill. Additionally, roof rats are hosts for disease-spreading fleas, ticks, and mites, which they will introduce onto your property while foraging for food and/or creating nesting sites.

Properties with ample amounts of food are attractive to roof rats. The more areas they are able to forage for food in, the more likely they will find their way to your property. Places, where rats forage for food include trash cans, compost, gardens, fruit trees, and bird feeders.

Once roof rats are comfortable on your property, there is a good chance they will find their way inside your home or business. They typically move inside while searching for food when it becomes more scarce outside in the late fall and winter.

Living together in colonies, roof rats are social and, if given the opportunity, like to nest up off of the ground. Common nesting sites include:

• Fruit trees
• Woodpiles
• Dense vegetation and landscape
• Attics
• Roof eaves
• Chimneys

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate roof rats and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from roof rats, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Seal up holes and other openings in the foundation and exterior walls of your house.
• Place a cap on your chimney.
• Place secure screens on vents and windows.
• Cut tree branches away from your roofline.
• Maintain gardens and fruit trees and pick up any fallen fruits and vegetables.
• Place tight-fitting lids on trash cans, compost bins, and recycling bins.
• Pick up uneaten pet food.

A unique-looking insect that is part of the order Zygentoma, silverfish are nuisance pests found living throughout the United States in moist, humid areas. They received their name from the unique, wriggling manner in which they moved.

The silverfish’s carrot-shaped body is brown and covered in silvery, metallic scales. These nuisance pests have a three “pronged” appendage that extends off their hind end. Silverfish are wingless and have antennae that are as long as their body.

Silverfish are unique in the fact that they can survive for weeks without food or water as long as they are living in a high-humidity environment.

Silverfish are moisture-seeking pests. Any excess moisture located inside or outside of your home will attract them. They live and gather under areas that trap moisture, like leaf piles, woodpiles, and mulch.

If the weather outside becomes too hot or dry, silverfish will move indoors, seeking a more suitable environment. These pests may also unknowingly be introduced into our homes by us inside of potted plants, boxes, newspapers, and other items that were once outside.

Silverfish require very high humidity levels to survive. Outside, they nest in the damp soil under mulch, landscape ties, leaf litter, compost piles, trash cans, and fallen trees.

Inside, silverfish seek refuge in humid areas that are similar to their outdoor environments, such as basements, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and areas under sinks.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control silverfish and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from silverfish, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees, leaf piles, and other debris from your property.
• Use caulking or wood filler to seal spaces in your home’s exterior walls.
• Reduce excess moisture in or around your home by maintaining gutters, repairing leaky faucets and pipes, and using dehumidifiers.
• Cut grass and other vegetation back away from your foundation.
• Leave a barrier between any soil or mulch and the foundation.
• Inspect items like potted plants and outdoor furniture for silverfish before bringing them inside.

Smokybrown cockroaches are one of the many species of cockroaches that have learned to live successfully near or with people. Adult smokybrown cockroaches have an oval body shape that is black or mahogany and shiny in appearance. These roaches have wings that extend past the tip of the abdomen and they are capable of flying short distances.

Like other species of cockroaches, smokybrown cockroaches should be avoided and kept out of our homes and businesses. Before finding their way inside your home, smokybrown cockroaches have no doubt come into contact with a variety of bacteria, parasites, and pathogens.

When they move through our homes or businesses, these pests contaminate food and surfaces and make people ill. Another issue with cockroaches living with people is their feces and shed skin trigger allergies and asthma attacks, especially in young kids.

Smokybrown cockroaches are a species of roach that, over time, have come to live near or with people. These scavengers have learned to take advantage of the food and shelter sources our properties and homes offer them.

These roaches often enter inside of homes through spaces around windows and doors or cracks in exterior walls after being attracted by outdoor lights. They will also move inside while foraging for food sources or to escape weather that has become too hot and dry.

The best way to control smokybrown cockroaches and keep them from coming back is to contact the highly trained technicians at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control. We can provide you with affordable, safe, and effective home pest control services. We always put our customers first and work to exceed expectations. If you are looking to control pests on your property once and for all, call the experts at Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

These pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and should not be allowed to overrun your home. Avoid problems with smokybrown cockroaches with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Seal gaps or cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Replace white outdoor light bulbs with yellow bulbs or LED bulbs that are less attractive to insects.
• Leave a barrier between mulch and your home’s foundation.
• Cut overgrown vegetation away from the exterior of your home.
• Use trash cans and compost bins with locking lids. Store both away from the outside of your home.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.
• Remove areas of standing water.
• Store food in air-tight containers or the refrigerator.
• Regularly vacuum your home.

As their name suggests, solitary wasps are a species of wasps that live by themselves instead of together in large colonies. Many of the same species of solitary wasps may live in the same area but will create individual nests. Most solitary wasps are predators, hunting insects and spiders to feed themselves and/or their developing young. In this way, they help control nuisance insect populations. Species that also feed on plant nectar help to pollinate some plants and crops as well.

Solitary wasps find their way onto properties that fulfill their basic needs. They are opportunistic insects and will take advantage of any food, water, and shelter we provide them. If solitary wasps do ever decide to call your yard or house their home, it is best to immediately contact a home pest control professional. They will be able to safely remove the solitary wasps and put into place the services needed to prevent their return.

Solitary wasps, depending on their species, will create their nests in a variety of places. Some build their nests in the ground or under fallen trees or tree stumps, others up higher in trees or under roof eaves, and still others inside of our homes behind wall voids, in chimneys, or attics.

While solitary wasps build individual nests, many of the same species may choose to create nests in a similar space, increasing their presence in that area.

The best way to control solitary wasps and keep them from returning is to get help from a professional. Albemarle Termite & Pest Control technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe, effective, and affordable pest control services in Elizabeth City. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. Home or business owners looking to control pests once and for all should call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Solitary wasps are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks. Avoid problems with solitary wasps with the help of the following wasp prevention tips.

• Place garden areas away from the outside of your home and limit the amount of flowering vegetation planted in your yard.
• Remove fallen trees, trees, stumps, and excess woodpiles from your property.
• Fill in ground holes.
• Remove standing water from your property.
• Seal spaces in the exterior walls and foundation of your home.
• Place caps on chimneys.
• Repair openings under roof eaves.

Spiders are arachnids and have two body regions, eight legs, and fangs (chelicerae) used to inject their prey with venom. Most species have eight eyes, though some have up to twelve, and they lack antennae and wings. Spiders use their pedipalps, which are segmented appendages attached to the cephalothorax (head), to sense objects. Spiders do not feed on plants; they are predators and feed on a variety of nuisance insects, other spiders, and more. All spiders produce silk, but not all species make webs with their silk. Spiders that don’t create webs instead make burrows. There are many species of spiders living in and around our properties.

The most common species of spiders to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Black widow spiders
• Hobo spiders
• Brown recluse spiders
• Wolf spiders
• Daddy long legs

While suddenly coming upon spiders in our homes and backyards is startling, the good news is that most spiders we come across are nuisance pests and pose no significant danger to people. Hobo spiders, daddy longlegs, and wolf spiders are all examples of nuisance spiders living in our area.

Black widows and brown recluse spiders are examples of dangerous spiders that live in our area. While all spiders contain venom, dangerous spiders have venom that is strong enough to create health problems in people. The venom from a black widow spider affects the nervous system, and brown recluse spider venom causes the ulceration of tissue around the bite. You should always be careful around spiders, dangerous or nuisance, as they invade properties in large numbers and are frustrating pests to deal with.

Professional home pest control is the best way to control pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To control pests in your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with spiders in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Place gardens and woodpiles a distance away from the outside of your property.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home or business.
• Eliminate water sources inside and outside your property.
• Keep storage areas organized to limit hiding spots.
• Keep all of the grass cut short.
• Make sure window and door screens are entirely intact.
• Seal up openings in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline.
• Remove debris and clutter from your property and yard where spiders can hide.
• Cut back tree branches, shrubs, and bushes away from the exterior of your home or business.

Stinging insects have stingers at the end of their abdomens that they use to inject venom into prey or anything they view as a threat. When living outside and away from people, stinging insects are helpful because they feed on other smaller insects and garden pests, helping to control their populations. Some species are also responsible for a bit of pollination. When stinging insects build their nests on or near our homes, however, they turn from helpful to dangerous and should be removed with the help of a professional.

The most common species of stinging insects to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Cicada killers
• Paper wasps
• European hornets
• Yellow jackets
• Mud daubers

Professional pest control is the best way to control pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our home pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To control pests in your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with stinging insects in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Limit the amount of flowering vegetation that you plant near your foundation.
• Outdoor trash cans and compost bins should have tight-fitting lids.
• Install weather stripping around windows and doors.
• Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.
• Fix torn door and window screens.
• Repair holes in the roofline and repair roof damage.
• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home or business.
• Maintain gutters and downspouts to prevent water from pooling in them.
• Stain, paint, varnish, or otherwise treat wooden structures located on your property.

Subterranean termites are a type of wood-destroying insect known for invading buildings and causing damage to structural timbers. These termites are widespread across the United States. They feed on the cellulose found in wood and plant matter. Outside in nature, they help speed up the process of decaying plants, tree roots, and tree stumps. Inside, they are destructive and unwanted pests.

Subterranean termites live together in large colonies. They divide the labor in the colony into three different groups or castes—workers, soldiers, and reproductives, with workers making up the bulk of its members. In spite of being soft-bodied, blind, and tiny, worker termites are responsible for the mass structural damage these insects cause.

Termites pose no health risks to people, and they also do not bite or sting. In fact, termites rarely ever make physical contact with people. But, these wood-eating pests are dangerous to the structure of a building. Termites enter inside without fanfare, where they work unnoticed for months or even years. When tunneling through and feeding on structural wood, the damage they cause becomes extensive and expensive to repair. It's also important to remember that most homeowners' insurance does not cover termite damage as it is preventable.

While worker termites are out foraging for food, they enter homes through cracks in the foundation. They also move inside through wooden structures on your home that are making contact with soil. Termites get into homes through wood siding, deck posts, porch steps, and wood trim.

Termites find properties with fallen trees, tree stumps, leaf piles, and other organic debris on them very attractive. Subterranean termites prefer wood (inside or outside) that has been damaged by water but will eventually move on to feed on sound wood and other materials, including paper and cotton.

Acquiring help from an Elizabeth City pest control expert is the best way to control subterranean termites and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective termite control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with subterranean termites with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Clean gutters and install weatherstripping around windows and doors to prevent water from damaging the inside of your home.
• Leave a crushed stone barrier between any soil or mulch and your foundation.
• Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, and excess piles of organic debris from your property.
• Replace garden mulch with crushed rock, rubber mulch, or other non-organic options.
• Use dehumidifiers to keep your basement dry.
• Ventilate your crawlspace.
• Be proactive and partner with Albemarle Termite & Pest Control.

Ticks live outside on the backs of their animal hosts. If not feeding, ticks are hiding out in damp, dark areas of vegetation, waiting for a new host to walk by that they can crawl on and attach themselves to. Tall grass, thick vegetation, bushes, the edges of wooded paths, and the edges of ponds and lakes are typical spots where you or your pets could come into contact with biting ticks.

Most species of ticks are not able to complete their life cycle indoors and are, therefore, not an indoor threat for an infestation.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control ticks and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with ticks with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Keep your grass cut short.
• Keep shrubs or bushes well-trimmed.
• Cut overgrown grass and vegetation back away from the exterior of your house.
• Remove bird feeders from your property that could attract wild animals.
• Place tight-fitting lids on trash cans and compost bins to keep foraging wild animals away.
• Inspect yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after spending time outside.
• When spending time outdoors, use an appropriate tick repellent.
• Put your pets on a year-round tick control program under the guidance of their veterinarian.
• Regularly vacuum your home to pick up stray ticks.
• Seal off spaces around the exterior of your home to prevent wild animals from gaining access.

Getting help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control varied carpet beetles and keep them from returning. Albemarle Termite & Pest Control technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe, effective, and affordable pest control services in Elizabeth City. Our local pest control company prioritizes putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property. Avoid problems with varied carpet beetles with the help of the following prevention tips.

• Inspect flowering potted plants for varied carpet beetles before bringing them inside.
• Switch out white outdoor lightbulbs for yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to varied carpet beetles and other insects.
• Keep outdoor lights turned off when not needed.
• Place weather-stripping around windows and doors.
• Vacuum carpets and upholstery.
• Store clothing and other fabrics in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, not in cardboard boxes.
• Remove dry goods from their original packaging and place them in plastic or glass jars with air-tight lids.

The wolf spider is a large, non-web-building species of spider. Adults have stocky, robust hairy body that is dark brown or black with cream, gray, or yellowish markings. Their long spiny legs allow these predators to chase their prey.

Wolf spiders grow to between ½ and 2 ½ inches in length. They have eight eyes set in three rows—four smaller eyes on the bottom row, two larger eyes in the middle row, and two medium eyes on the top row. Their large size and quick movements cause people to be startled by and afraid of these spiders.

Instead of creating a web to catch their prey, wolf spiders create burrows in the ground under fallen logs, shrubs, bushes, woodpiles, leaf piles, and areas of tall, overgrown grass and vegetation. These spiders are nocturnal, hiding in their burrows during the day and emerging at night to hunt insects.

Wolf spiders live outside but do move indoors to hunt prey or escape harsh weather conditions. Inside, wolf spiders move around along the edges of your walls. They hide out in cabinets, closets, basements, and under furniture.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to control wolf spiders and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective home pest control services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Pests are not just a nuisance; they pose potential health risks and are capable of damaging property.

• Avoid problems with wolf spiders with the help of the following prevention tips.
• Remove fallen trees, overgrown vegetation, leaf piles, and excess woodpiles from your property.
• Remove tall grass and overgrown vegetation that is growing near the exterior walls of your house.
• Check the exterior walls of your home, using a caulking gun to fill in any holes.
• Remove clutter that is next to your walls.
• Place door sweeps on all exterior doors.
• Reduce insect activity on your property by partnering with a professional pest control expert.

Wood-boring beetles typically enter properties through exposed wood, such as cracks in siding or windows. They can also be brought in with second-hand furniture and other items that contain wood. Additionally, they can be spread through plants and other vegetation. To prevent infestations, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of these pests and take measures to protect your property.

Because these pests can be difficult to detect, it is best to contact a professional pest control company that has experience in dealing with wood-boring beetle infestations. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, we are knowledgeable in treating and controlling these pests from your property. We also offer preventive strategies to help keep them from returning in the future.

Signs of an active wood-boring beetle infestation include small holes in wood surfaces, sawdust or wood dust around the holes, and weakened or damaged wood structures. You may also notice an unpleasant odor in the area, as wood-boring beetles secrete a musty smell. If you suspect that you have a wood-boring beetle infestation, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control for a free inspection today.

Wood-destroying organisms are those pests that cause damage to the structural integrity of your home or business by feeding on or nesting in the wood inside of it. These insect invaders are responsible for causing billions of dollars worth of property damage in the United States each year.

The most common species of wood-destroying organisms to invade homes and businesses in our areas of North Carolina and Virginia are listed below.

• Old House Borers - Old house borers are a type of longhorn beetle that attacks seasoned softwoods – pine in particular. The feeding larvae make a distinctive rasping or clicking sound.
• Powderpost Beetles - Powderpost beetles invade wood, and their larvae turn it into a fine powder. These pests invade both hardwoods and softwoods.
• Termites - The eastern subterranean termite is a ground-nesting species and one of the most commonly found damaging properties throughout the United States. They have high moisture needs and are attracted to water-damaged or decaying wood.

Termites build underground nests. The workers tunnel through the soil or build mud tubes above the ground to leave the nest and forage for food. Typical food sources include leaves, soil, wood, and other organic materials made up of cellulose. As termites forage for food, they enter through spaces in the foundation or areas of soil-to-wood contact.

Powderpost beetles, during the larval stage, usually find their way in through infested pieces of wooden furniture or wood products. Adults are active at night and are attracted to outdoor lighting, finding their way in through spaces in exterior walls or areas around windows and doors. Old house borers lay their eggs in the cracks and crevices of logs and wood stored in lumberyards. You'll find these wood-destroying pests in newly constructed properties.

Eastern subterranean termites live in the moist soil close to their food sources. They travel from their nest to a food source each day and do not live inside the wood they are feeding on. Inside homes and other buildings, termites feed on the structural wood behind walls, under floors, or above ceilings. An infestation can continue for months or even years before discovering its presence.

Powderpost beetles invade and damage things like flooring, structural timbers, antique furniture, and wood trim. Female powderpost beetles lay their eggs on the surface or just under the surface of pieces of wood. When the eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel through the wood and feed on it – reducing it to a fine, dust-like powder. Old house borers prefer pine, spruce, and coniferous wood. Generally, infestations are localized to one portion of your property, and pests like powderpost beetles cause a lot of damage in a short time.

Professional pest control is the best way to control pests and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our pest management professionals are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective services that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding their expectations. To control pests in your home or business once and for all, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

Prevent problems with wood-destroying organisms in Elizabeth City, NC, and surrounding areas by combining our professional services with the following prevention tips:

• Reduce moisture levels in and around your property by fixing leaky pipes and making sure gutters and downspouts are cleaned out.
• Inspect wooden antiques for powderpost beetle damage before bringing them into your home or business.
• Eliminate any soil-to-wood contact on your home or commercial property.
• Remove water-damaged wood from your property.
• Avoid the use of old barn wood inside your home.
• Paint or stain exposed bare wood in or around your property.
• Lumber used inside your home or business should be kiln-dried to kill wood-destroying insects.
• Keep the wood inside your home dry by maintaining heating and ventilation systems and using dehumidifiers.
• Seal up openings in your foundation, exterior walls, and spaces around windows and doors to stop wood-destroying insects from finding their way inside.

Aggressive insects that work together to drive away perceived threats, yellow jackets, are a pest that no one wants nesting on their property. A type of wasp, yellow jackets have a segmented body with a distinctive thin waist. Their hairless body is covered in a well-defined yellow and black striped pattern. Another physical feature that helps to identify this pest is its long wings that fold laterally against its body when at rest.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to control yellow jackets and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City, NC, that are affordable. We are a local pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to control pests on their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from yellow jackets, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees and tree stumps from your property.
• Fill any ground holes in your yard.
• Place tight-fitting lids on outdoor trash cans and compost bins.
• Keep outdoor eating areas clean and free of food debris.
• Quickly clean-up after having an outdoor party.
• Place garden areas away from the outside walls of your house.