What Are the Most Common Pests Near Water in Poquoson?

What Are the Most Common Pests Near Your Waterfront Home in Poquoson? 

You love Poquoson because life by the water suits you. Living here, you’re surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and its marshes—making it the perfect place for boating, fishing, and your other favorite water activities. 

But while your community is drawn to the water…so are pests. Living close to the water can quickly go sour when the pest pressure gets too intense. Going outside is a constant battle when the pests control your property, not you.

That’s why Mosquito Squad of Williamsburg exists. We’re here to help decrease your coastal pest pressure and create a solid pest control plan to keep your coastal property enjoyable (without all the buzzing and biting). 

Mosquitoes and No-See-Ums

A few pests that may be controlling your property are mosquitoes and no-see-ums. Salt marsh mosquitoes breed in tidal areas and fly several miles to reach properties. They’ll stop at nothing to get their next meal. 

And no-see-ums quickly breed in moist coastal soil and love to bother you at dawn and dusk. While they are small, in high numbers, they can completely take over your yard. So, if you treasure your outdoor gatherings during the warmer months, it’ll be important to be proactive about no-see-um control on your property. 

Spiders and Ants

Many spider species are moisture-loving and are attracted to docks, crawl spaces, and outdoor storage. They spin their webs and wait in dark corners to catch their food. And, in these conditions, fishing spiders, wolf spiders, yellow sac spiders, and more can breed easily. 

Ants are also moisture-seeking and love to follow coastal humidity into homes. Fire ant hills can pop up in your humid, moist yard, as well as typical house ants. Fire ant hills are easy to miss and cause painful stings that last for days. The typical house ants (or sugar ants) line up in neat rows to scout out your home—and they always come back for more. 

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks also pose a concern (especially if you have pets or children). Both of these are often present in coastal grasses and marsh transition zones. 

Fleas are attracted to your pets and will transfer over to you. Annoying, persistent, and difficult to remove, you don’t want these anywhere near your home. Ticks pose a dangerous concern, as they carry a variety of serious diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Alpha-gal syndrome, and more. 

Rodents

While this may surprise you, rodents (especially Norway rats) love your coastal community just as much as you do. They follow waterways and food sources, planning and plotting ways to enter your home. And once they take root, you usually need professional help to get rid of them. 

Protecting Your Poquoson Coastal Property

Living on the water comes with unique challenges that inland properties don’t face. Boat storage, dock equipment, and outdoor furniture all create a pest’s paradise. They harbor, hide, breed, and multiply in these conditions. So, kayaks stored upside down, that tarp covering your boat, or those crab traps all add to your pest pressure. 

Coastal humidity extends active pest seasons longer than in other areas. So, while your friends living inland may get a break from mosquitoes in the fall, you’re still dealing with them in October. This constant moisture keeps pests far too comfortable. 

Then, Poquoson’s flat terrain and high water table mean that standing water accumulates easily after a rain. Anything that collects water becomes a mosquito nursery or another pest’s vacation home. 

And it isn’t your fault. Waterfront properties simply need more frequent and intensive treatment than inland yards. But with the right approach, you can enjoy your waterfront property without the constant swatting, itching, and biting. 

Ready to take control of your coastal property? Call Mosquito Squad of Williamsburg at (757) 280-3624 or contact us online for a free quote.