Reston is close to many natural resources, including Lake Anne and Lake Thoreau. There are planned communities, as well as wooded neighborhoods, and while all of that is great for living, there are also pest risks.
If you are hiring an exterminator, you should choose one that focuses on IPM. For the unversed, IPM stands for Integrated Pest Management, and many companies, such as greenpestservices.net, focus on the approach. The idea is to counter pests but with safer products and better means. Green Pest Services offers IPM for Reston homeowners and has an in-house team of certified technicians. The company has thousands of five-star ratings and has a bespoke approach for each customer. Here’s more about Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
What is IPM?
IPM is a multi-strategy approach, where the focus isn’t just on fixing current pest concerns but also prevention and monitoring. Traditionally pest control was all about using pesticides and spraying chemicals, but with IPM, it is possible to address the same concerns in a better way.
Pest Problems in Reston Homes
Various pests are common here. In North Reston, you are likely to see rodents, including rats and mice, especially in older homes. Pavement ants and odorous house ants are everywhere, but mostly found in basements and kitchens. There are also spiders, which thrive in areas like South Lakes Drive and Glade Dr. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, remain a concern for properties around Lake Fairfax Park and wetlands. Properties and homes built in the 1970s and 80s are also at risk of termites, which can damage wooden structures extensively.
Principles of Integrated Pest Control
If you choose a green exterminator who focuses on IPM, they will usually follow a few standard principles. The first one is inspection, which is scheduled frequently to address the first signs of infestations. The next one is identification, which means the technicians focus on identifying and targeting specific pests instead of using generic treatments. The third principle is monitoring, which includes using sticky traps, bait stations, and ongoing tracking so that pest movements are identified sooner. There is also ongoing stress on prevention, which involves sealing entry points and reducing moisture.
As for controlling pests, technicians use low-impact chemical methods and safe products that are approved by the EPA to minimize effects on the environment and other species.
Tailoring IPM for Different Property Types
Companies that follow IPM principles also consider the neighborhood and property before deciding the approach. For instance, townhomes have shared walls, which means just fixing an infestation in one home may not suffice. Single-family homes near wooded trails, on the other hand, need more focus on exterior treatments to counter carpenter ants and termites. Mosquito and tick exposure is higher for homes near Lake Anne or Tall Oaks, which again need targeted treatments.
IPM in Action: A look at a Year-Round Plan
Professional pest control services usually do the following:
- Monthly inspections based on seasonality and existing issues
- Yard maintenance to reduce vegetation
- Frequent checks for gaps and cracks to seal them on time
- Installation and setting up monitoring devices
- Prevention tips and suggestions for customers
If you have pets or kids at home, you should take time to ask questions about the products the exterminator will use. In general, IPM-aligned pest experts always focus on protecting homes from pests, for which they use long-term solutions rather than quick fixes. The right mix of prevention, monitoring, and smart treatments can help keep pests away and avoid the risks usually associated with pest control products.
Always choose a local pest control service in Reston and start with an inspection. If you like the overall attitude and approach, you can get an estimate.