If you think that cold weather and winter months mean a break from bugs or the need for pest control, think again. Whether we have a temperate or extreme winter season, bugs are doing what they do best—preparing for a prolific spring. Experts say that bugs in Virginia and Maryland are well adapted for surviving the cold months, no matter the weather. This means that when it comes to pest control, the old adage ‘prevention is the best medicine’ is especially true.

Winter is actually a great time to check your lawn, trees, and shrubs for insect problems. With the foliage gone, it’s much easier to see what is hiding in your yard. Here are a few especially problematic bugs to watch out for:

Indian Wax Scales: This insect feeds by extracting sap from the vascular system of trees and shrubs. A large infestation may cause an early leaf drop and can kill branches. During the winter, the females are producing eggs that will hatch all over your yard in the spring. If you have what looks like chewed white gum anywhere in your plants, you may have Indian Wax Scales in your yard. They are most frequently found on Hollies, Cherry Laurel, and Japanese Maples.

Emerald Ash Borer: This small, green bug is responsible for killing over 30 million trees in the northeast US and Canada. The EAB deposits its eggs between bark crevices and cracks, and after hatching the larvae chew through the tree as they feed and develop. If you have ash trees in your yard, be sure to check for these devastating bugs.

Stink bugs: During the winter, stink bugs are already inside your house. Currently they are dormant, but come spring they’ll be very active and move outside, ready to party on your property.

Winter months are the perfect time to assess and take steps to prevent problems in the spring. Call Green Pest Control and have one of our technicians inspect your trees, shrubs, plants, and lawn. We can also determine if you have any potential indoor problems. Once the problems have been identified, our highly trained professionals can take care of them while the insects are most vulnerable. Give us a call today.