Valley Wide Pest Control

Hearing nonstop chirping around your home lately? Crickets are out in full force across the Central Valley. As temperatures rise and conditions stay dry, crickets start searching for moisture and shelter often gathering near doors, garages, and foundations. Bright outdoor lights can make the problem worse by drawing them right up to your home.

A quick tip: switch your exterior lights to yellow “bug” bulbs or turn them off when possible at night. This can help reduce how many crickets hang around your entry points. If the noise (or numbers) is getting out of hand, it might be time to address what’s attracting them in the first place. Valley Wide Pest Control is always here if you need help keeping things quiet and comfortable.

Seeing tiny flying insects around your yard, patio, or standing water? You may be dealing with mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are often mistaken for non-biting midges because they look very similar at first glance. The biggest difference? Mosquitoes have a long proboscis (their biting mouthpart) and females feed on blood, while non-biting midges don't bite people at all. Midges are also commonly seen swarming in large groups near ponds and lights, where mosquitoes are usually more scattered as they search for a host.

Mosquitoes breed in even the smallest amounts of standing water, including clogged gutters, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, old tires, and buckets. Beyond being a nuisance, they can also carry diseases, making prevention especially important. Eliminate standing water around your property, keep gutters clean, repair damaged screens, and use EPA-approved repellents when spending time outdoors.

If mosquitoes are taking over your yard, Valley Wide Pest Control can identify breeding areas, reduce mosquito populations, and help you enjoy your outdoor space again with professional mosquito control solutions.

They’re not just a nuisance. They can cause serious damage before you even realize they’re there. 🪲 Central Valley homeowners should keep an eye out for is the brown marmorated stink bug this summer. Originally from Asia, this pest has become established in parts of California, including areas of the Central Valley. While they’re known for damaging crops like peaches and almonds, they can also become a problem around homes by gathering in large numbers and seeking shelter in cracks, walls, and other protected areas.

These shield-shaped bugs may look harmless, but large infestations can be frustrating. They release a strong odor when crushed, can stain surfaces, and often find their way indoors when temperatures change. Sealing entry points, keeping vegetation trimmed away from your home, and addressing pest activity early can help reduce the chances of an invasion.

If you’re seeing unusual bugs around your home or property this summer, Valley Wide Pest Control can help identify the pest and create a targeted plan to keep your home protected.

Red. White. Boom. 💥 The only thing running this Fourth of July should be the bugs. Happy Independence Day from Valley Wide Pest Control! 🇺🇸🐜

It's a bad day to be a bug in the Valley!

Have you ever walked outside on a hot summer evening and noticed hundreds of tiny winged insects swarming around your porch light? There's a good chance they aren't flying ants. They're termite swarmers.

Every summer in the Central Valley, mature termite colonies send out winged termites to start new colonies. Most people brush them off as "just bugs," sweep them up, and move on. The problem? By the time you see swarmers, the colony that sent them may have been feeding on wood nearby for years.

It doesn't always mean your home has termites, but it does mean it's worth paying attention. If you ever spot a sudden swarm around your home, snapping a photo or having it identified can save you from ignoring something much bigger. And if you're unsure what you're seeing, Valley Wide Pest Control is always here to help.