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As pest-control experts, protecting our clients from infestations and damage to their homes is only part of what we do (although it’s a big part). At Dixon Pest Services, we’re also in the business of forecasting and trend spotting when it comes to pest populations and problems.
For example, in 2021, spring and summer were some of the warmest months on record. That meant we received higher than usual calls about some warm-weather pests. And as we slowly descend into the cooler, wetter winter months, we know that many of our neighbors in this region are going to have issues with their crawl spaces.
Making educated guesses and forecasts about pest problems from month to month -- or year to year -- is one way for us to ensure our customers are safe from damaging or harmful infestations. Likewise, looking backward can often be as useful as looking forward. Here are some of the most common pests we saw in Georgia in 2021.
Early Winter 2021: Stink and Kudzu Bugs
These stinky jerks are different kinds of insects, but inflict a similar kind of discomfort. Where stink bugs emit an odor when crushed, kudzu bugs smell bad AND give you a rash (and stain your skin) if you squish them.
If you live in Georgia, there’s no doubt you’ve found a stink bug or 10 in your home. The cold weather drives them inside to enjoy your heat. And by hook or by crook, they’ll get in. Through cracks in the foundation, teeny tiny little tears in your screens and gaps in your windows, and right through your back door when you bring the groceries in. And again, you can’t whack them with a magazine because of the stink problem. So we recommend sucking them up with a vacuum (or calling your friendly pest control experts).
Spring 2021: Invasive Formosan Termites
Over the past year or two, our customers in and around Thomasville and this region of south Georgia/north Florida have been infested by the invasive Formosan termite. This particular breed of termite is invasive and can cause extreme damage to your home.
They build giant colonies: Where most termite species have colonies comprising several hundred thousand termites, Formosan termites can contain several million. And they chew through wood much faster than other kinds of termites, which makes them extra destructive and gives you even less time to find them and get them out. A fully mature Formosan colony can eat up to 13 ounces of wood per day and cause severe damage in just three months. They can (and do) even chew through electrical wiring.
And these infestations are becoming more and more common in this region.
Summer 2021: Cockroaches
This year was hot -- and rainy. A perfect combination for cockroaches. And as you know already, cockroaches can cause literal nightmares for homeowners, and they should be taken care of as soon as possible. Seeing one or two roaches over an extended period of time might gross you out, but that shouldn’t be of too much concern. But if you begin to notice more and more, you could have a severe cockroach infestation on your hands. If cockroaches begin to multiply inside your home; that could mean that you could soon see a massive infestation. Roaches typically reach maturity between 40 and 125 days depending on the temperature. Because of this, in a little over a month you could see an increase of 1,500 cockroaches in your home. Let’s say, hypothetically, you ignore this growing infestation for a year — that would equal roughly 18,000 cockroaches living in your home, subsequently ruining your life. Don’t let these bugs take over your home. Identify a swarm and have it taken care of right away.
At Dixon Pest Services, we guarantee your peace of mind. In the midst of a cockroach infestation, or any other pest challenges, you want a pest control service you can trust. Find out more about our promise here.